Headache & Vomiting: Causes & Relationship

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  • Thread starter Thread starter waht
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between headaches and vomiting, particularly in the context of personal experiences related to eating patterns and potential causes. Participants explore various factors that might contribute to these symptoms, including dietary choices and physiological responses.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a personal experience of developing a headache and vomiting after eating a heavy dinner following a day of not eating, questioning the relationship between the two symptoms.
  • Another participant suggests that overeating after a period of light eating could lead to discomfort and vomiting, also mentioning the possibility of food poisoning.
  • Some participants propose that sinus congestion might contribute to headaches and nausea, with one noting their own experience of sinus issues during the time of their symptoms.
  • One participant speculates that going without food could lead to low blood sugar, which might induce a headache, and questions whether the type of food consumed could also be a factor.
  • A later reply discusses the potential role of the vagus nerve in relaying nausea and headache signals, suggesting a possible connection between the two symptoms but acknowledging uncertainty about the mechanism.
  • Another participant mentions a past experience with migraines and vomiting, noting that vomiting often alleviated their headache.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various hypotheses about the causes of headaches and vomiting, including dietary factors and physiological responses. There is no consensus on a singular cause, and multiple competing views remain regarding the relationship between the symptoms.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention specific conditions such as sinus congestion and dietary choices, but the discussion does not resolve the underlying mechanisms or assumptions related to the symptoms.

waht
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This happened to me recently. I had a very light breakfast, and didn't eat anything all day long. In the evening, I ate a heavy dinner, and then subsequently I started to get a headache. An hour later, I threw everything up.

I know that this site isn't suppose to be about diagnosis of any type, but just to get a general idea, what is the relationship between a headache and vomiting? And why did the empty stomach reject food?
 
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First off, you over stuffed yourself. If you eat light in the morning, I would not suggest to a lot after that and to make it a lot, even worse. You have to know your limits. I have had the same thing happen and it could also be a case of food poisioning, too.
 
I would guess food poisoning.

Was there any sinus pressure/congestion? Sinus congestion can produce a mild headache and make one nauseous.
 
what said:
This happened to me recently. I had a very light breakfast, and didn't eat anything all day long. In the evening, I ate a heavy dinner, and then subsequently I started to get a headache. An hour later, I threw everything up.

I know that this site isn't suppose to be about diagnosis of any type, but just to get a general idea, what is the relationship between a headache and vomiting? And why did the empty stomach reject food?

Going without eating can cause your blood sugar level to drop which can induce a headache. Additionally, it could be the type of food you ate (spicy foods and alcohol has a similar effect). Was it a new food you had never tried before?

CS
 
Astronuc said:
I would guess food poisoning.

Was there any sinus pressure/congestion? Sinus congestion can produce a mild headache and make one nauseous.

Yes there was a sinus congestion during that time. Thought it could have been an allergic reaction in the fall which I don't have. Except in spring.

Food poising sounds like a candidate. But I can't remember from what. The reason I didn't eat anything all day long is I was sort of nauseous. But then decided to eat a dinner consisting of red meat and some spices. That appeared to be enough to set off big headache. After throwing up, the headache went away quickly. It was weird.
 
what said:
After throwing up, the headache went away quickly. It was weird.

I've had that experience. I don't really know what the mechanism is, but it seems like whatever is upsetting my stomach at the time is also inducing the headache...get it all out, and I start to feel better soon. It could be some mixed up signals too...nausea and vomiting signals are relayed via the vagus nerve, which is a cranial nerve, so maybe it can also trigger perception of a headache. Not sure though.
 
MSG?
I used to get migraines and would throw up from them, but after I threw up my headache would go away.
 

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