Migraines are complex neurological events with many manifestations that go well beyond severe headaches; for many migraine sufferers, nausea and vomiting may be as distressful as head pain itself. Here, we will explore why migraines frequently accompany nausea/vomiting as part of their experience.
Migraines Are Not Simply Headaches: A migraine is not simply a headache but instead is a neurological disorder with intense, throbbing head pain affecting one side of your head, often on one side only. Migraines can accompany other symptoms as well, including:
Nausea and Vomiting
Photophobia, Phonophobia, Visual Aura Disturbances and Dizziness.
Brain Regions May Play Roles In This Condition.
One key reason behind the correlation between migraines and nausea/vomiting lies within our brains - during an attack of migraine, certain regions become activated, contributing to these symptoms of nausea.
Brainstem: The brainstem's medulla oblongata plays an essential part in controlling nausea and vomiting during migraine headaches, with any activation leading to queasiness and the urge to vomit. Activation can trigger an instantaneous chain of events leading to this discomfort as a migraine progresses, often producing side effects including queasiness.
Release of Neuropeptides: Migraines can trigger the release of certain neuropeptides, like substance P and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP). These substances may irritate and sensitize your digestive tract leading to nausea symptoms.
Triggers for Nausea and Vomiting in Migraines:
Numerous triggers and factors may intensify or initiate nausea and vomiting during a migraine attack:
Pain Intensity: The intensity of migraine headache can contribute directly to nausea and vomiting episodes, increasing its chances of occurence.
Sensory Sensitivity: Migraines may lead to increased sensory sensitivity that makes people susceptible to nausea and vomiting when exposed to light, sound or strong smells.
Gastrointestinal Disturbances: Before or during a migraine attack, some may experience digestive discomfort and changes to bowel habits that disrupted their normal routines.
Medication: Triptans used for migraine relief can produce nausea as an undesirable side effect.
Migraines Cause Nausea and Vomiting: How Can You Handle These Side Effects:
While nausea and vomiting may be discomforting symptoms during an attack of migraine headache, there are ways to mitigate their severity:
Antiemetics (or over-the-counter or prescription anti-nausea medicines) can be effective ways of alleviating nausea and preventing vomiting.
Ginger: Consuming ginger tea or candies made of dried or candied ginger root may provide natural relief from nausea.
Create a Quiet and Dark Environment: For optimal nausea relief, create an ambient space which is both calm and dimly-lit to reduce any sensory triggers which might aggravate symptoms of discomfort.
Hydration: Sip on clear fluids like water or electrolyte solutions throughout the day to stay hydrated; just be wary not to consume too many fluids at once as this could trigger vomiting.
Rest: Reducing nausea and headache symptoms often require relaxing in an atmosphere free of distraction, and sleep may prove particularly effective at doing just that.
Conclusion:
Migraines often cause nausea and vomiting that is both distressful and disabling for sufferers. Understanding their neurological and physiological causes is key in better managing migraine attacks accompanied by nausea or vomiting, so if these occur frequently it would be wise to consult a healthcare provider in developing an individualized migraine management plan to address both head pain as well as any related GI symptoms.