Why do migraines cause nausea

Hormonal medications, such as oral contraceptives, also can worsen migraines. Some women, however, find that their migraines occur less often when taking these medications. Taking painkillers too often can trigger serious medication-overuse headaches. The risk seems to be highest with aspirin, acetaminophen and caffeine combinations. Overuse headaches may also occur if you take aspirin or ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others for more than 14 days a month or triptans, sumatriptan Imitrex, Tosymra or rizatriptan Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT for more than nine days a month.

Medication-overuse headaches occur when medications stop relieving pain and begin to cause headaches. You then use more pain medication, which continues the cycle. Migraine care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic Minute Weathering migraines. Share on: Facebook Twitter.

Show references Cutrer FM, et al. Pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of migraine in adults. Accessed Jan. Migraine information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Headache: Hope through research. Accessed Feb. Smith JH, et al. Acute treatment of migraine in adults. Simon RP, et al. In: Clinical Neurology. McGraw Hill; Ha H, et al. The study suggest that experiencing nausea and vomiting with headaches is a sign that a person is at risk of migraine headaches.

However, it remains unclear why migraine headaches cause nausea. One possible explanation is that the brain activity responsible for head pain also triggers nausea. Migraine episodes commonly occur with an aura or prodrome. Prodrome is a phase that manifests with mood swings , food cravings, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and sensitivity to light and sound, among other health problems.

The aura phase is a period of symptoms, such as visual or auditory disturbances, before the onset of a migraine headache. The main symptoms of a migraine headache, including feelings of nausea, usually follow the aura. In some people, the episode may end in vomiting or fatigue. A migraine headache causes moderate to severe head pain.

Doctors are unclear why some people have them. One explanation is that inflammation changes sensations in the brain to cause migraine headaches. Different types of headaches can also cause nausea. For example, brain injuries and concussions may cause a headache and nausea.

People experiencing migraine headaches should contact a doctor. Migraine headaches are more common in females, people aged 15—55, and those with a family history of migraine headaches. Other symptoms caused by migraine headaches may include :. Lying down in a cool, dark room may help with nausea during a migraine episode. Some people may benefit from antinausea medications, such as ondansetron. Keeping a symptom diary can help identify triggers.

For example, tracking diet, exercise, and stress might help work out patterns that lead to migraine episodes. Anyone who experiences migraine headaches should speak with a doctor to rule out other causes.

A doctor will also be able to help with treatment options. Emergency care is necessary for anyone who experiences head pain and nausea following an injury or a blow to the head. Confusion, loss of consciousness, and hallucinations are also signs of an emergency. Almost 70 percent of people had vomiting as part of their migraine attack, with one in three vomiting during nearly every attack.

Nausea and vomiting can occur with migraine with and without aura. These symptoms are often found in vestibular migraine , a type of migraine that may or may not come with head pain.

Symptoms of vestibular migraine can include vertigo and loss of balance, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. People with vestibular migraine usually experience motion sickness car or seasickness beginning in childhood and have a history of migraine headaches. Nausea often occurs during the prodrome phase in migraine, according to the American Migraine Foundation , but it can occur in any phase of the attack.

The prodrome signals the beginning of a migraine attack and can last hours or as long as several days. It had been previously thought that gastric stasis, which is when the stomach empties more slowly than normal, was the underlying cause of nausea in migraine.

And if you develop uncontrollable vomiting, you should seek immediate medical attention, according to Cedars Sinai health system.