Headache and dizziness are two separate conditions. However, there are people who experience them simultaneously. What could cause a dizziness headache? Here are five probable causes to consider when the two occur together:
1. Separate conditions but one causes the other
It may start of as a headache, but the pain brings on dizziness as well. Or you may well experience dizziness or vertigo (spinning type of dizziness) and it ends up triggering a headache or making an existing one worse. Even though considered to be separate conditions, there can be a causal link. Even in terms of treatment, successfully treating of one symptom can improve the other.
2. It’s a migraine
Dizziness can be part of a migraine attack. They are known as migraine associated vertigo. The dizzy spells may happen before, during or after the headache.
As with basilar migraine, dizziness or vertigo are part of its aura symptoms along with partial vision loss, double vision, severe vomiting, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), slurred speech, loss of coordination, numbness (on one or both sides of the body), weakness, and general confusion. These symptoms generally subside with the onset of the actual headache, though it is also possible that they can last for several days after the pain goes away.
Basilar migraine is very rare, but potentially very dangerous as it can lead to strokes or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Hemiplegic migraine is also a rare condition linked to a genetic abnormality. Some of its symptoms are temporary motor paralysis and sensory disturbances on one side of the body preceding the actual headache, often accompanied by numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation. Also vertigo, double vision, hearing problems, difficulty in speaking and swallowing due to numbness around the mouth. The symptoms may cause a person to think they are having a stroke. However, unlike a stroke, the effects are reversible.
It is possible that during a migraine attack, just experiencing the pain, nausea and discomfort may make you feel dizzy. Dizziness could also happen after a migraine attack, like a hangover. Those with migraine associated vertigo also often suffer from motion sickness.
3. They are symptoms of certain medical problems
A headache coupled with dizziness could be symptoms of a medical problem you are having.
Below are some medical problems associated with them:
-Head injury
-Neck trauma
-Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ): Other symptoms include pain every time you talk, chew, or yawn. Possible ear pain, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and hearing loss Also clicking and popping of the jaw.
-Heat exhaustion: Besides headache and dizziness, person will look pale, sweat profusely, have clammy skin, feel weak, thirsty, nausea and vomit.
-Stroke: The symptoms of stroke are very sudden. You will experience numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body, confusion, trouble speaking or understanding, vision problems in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, severe headache with no known cause.
4. They are side effects of certain medications
Many medicines have side effects. The following medications have headache and dizziness included in their list of common side effects.
-Antihypertensive drugs or drugs that lower blood pressure such as cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride), accupil (quinapril hydrochloride), cardene (nicardipine hydrochloride), and cardura (doxazosin mesylate).
-NSAIDs. For example, Ibuprofen have listed rash, ringing in the ears, headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn as possible side effects.
-Antiangina drugs are also known as nitrates. These drugs relieve symptoms of angina which is severe pain in the chest caused by heart disease. Before the body is able to adjust to the medication, you may experience headache. If the headache continues on for a few weeks or get worse, check with your doctor. Other common side effects are dizziness, light headedness, increased pulse, nausea, vomiting, a flushed face and neck and restlessness.
The list of medications above are definitely not conclusive. There are others that have headache and dizziness listed as common side effects. Therefore, know the medications you are taking and consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.
5. Substance exposure
Carbon monoxide poisoning: It is called the silent killer as the gas is invisible, odorless and colorless. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, dizziness, nausea, light headedness and shortness of breath.
Inhalent abuse: Toluene can be found in gasoline, paint thinners and removers and correction fluid. Exposure to high doses of toluene can result in headache, euphoria and delirium, giddy feelings, uncoordinated movements, confusion, nausea and vomiting.
About The Author
Joshua Peruzzi is an in-house writer for the HeadacheWar.com. Discover the pros and cons of various headache treatment options at http://www.HeadacheWar.com
Vertigo is the feeling of whirling or spiraling that takes place as a result of a disorder to a person’s balance. Subjective vertigo happens when a person feels dizzy from within while Objective vertigo is when the person feels that the things around him move.
Vertigo is, in fact, a symptom, it is not a disease on its own. It is a disorder in the vestibular system. The vestibular system is responsible for joining together the stimuli of the senses and a person’s movements and it is also responsible in keeping the object in imagery focus, even if the rest of the body part is moving.
Vertigo can be one of the symptoms of Meniere’s disease. Patients with this disease exhibit hearing loss and feels pressure in their ears. They also suffer from tinnitus, a state of severe imbalance. Vertigo is the most dramatic and the most disruptive symptom of Menieres disease. When vertigo attacks, the patient should immediately head to see his doctor for treatment as it usually hits in succession within a short period of time.
If you experience a vertigo attack, you would suddenly feel wobbly and perceive all the things around you are spinning. Your eyes can also beat from side to side. You will also feel nauseous and sweaty. It would feel as if you are riding a real shaky ship amidst a hurricane for hours.
Meniere’s disease binds vertigo to the definite hearing loss of a person. Although research shows an average of 0.01% to 0.07% people attains this disease. People above 40 are more prone to it. For people younger than that, cases are considered rare. It is also true with children.
If you have vertigo, chances are, you have contracted Meniere’s disease. You should not waste any time and head for treatment immediately. Vertigo is one symptom that should never be taken for granted. Once it strikes, take a quick rest and immediately set and appointment with your physician.
If vertigo does lead to Meniere’s disease, don’t fret. Mineare’s disease can be easily cured. Just heed your doctor’s advice and recovery would be quick and easy.
Most people learn through experience that certain activities will make them dizzy and they learn to avoid them. For example, if reading in a car produces motion sickness, an individual leaves reading materials for after the trip.
Changes to the diet can also cut down on episodes of dizziness in susceptible people. Relaxation techniques can help ward off tension and anxiety that can cause dizziness. These techniques can help minimize or even prevent dizziness for people with chronic diseases. For example, persons with Méniére’s disease may avoid episodes of vertigo by leaving salt, alcohol, and caffeine out of their diets. Reducing blood cholesterol can help diminish arteriosclerosis and indirectly treat dizziness.
Some cases of dizziness cannot be prevented. Acoustic neuromas, for example, are not predictable or preventable. When the underlying cause of dizziness cannot be discovered, it may be difficult to recommend preventive measures. Alternative approaches designed to rebalance the body’s energy flow, such as acupuncture and constitutional homeopathy, may be helpful in cases where the cause of dizziness cannot be pinpointed.
Follow these steps:
- Stop whatever you are doing. Nothing is as important as your health and state of mind.
- Sit down with your head between your legs. This will help the blood flow to your brain.
- Breathe deeply and slowly. Your brain is starving for oxygen so you need to make sure you take in large breaths but do them slowly so you don’t hyperventilate.
- Respond to others with simple nods or shakes of the head if you are not alone. This assures you not only stay alert, but it assists others in knowing what you need.
- Keep a running dialogue with yourself. Even if it’s a fight to stay awake, speaking with yourself does help to a degree. – Stay seated once the worst has passed.
- Lift your head slowly, if you feel any dizziness go back to putting your head between your legs. Repeat until you no longer feel dizzy.
- Get up slowly and carefully. Accept any offers for assistance if you wish, but return to your seated position if you feel another attack coming on.
- Take small sips of water until all symptoms (such as cold sweats, dry mouth, and nausea) have dissipated.
If, for some reason, it would be unsafe to stop and sit down where you are (for example, while crossing the street) just walk slowly with your head down and breathe deeply until you can get to a safe place (such as a sidewalk).
However, if you experience extreme tunnel vision this is a warning sign that you are about to faint. In that case, just stop and breathe deeply until the tunnel vision dissipates as someone who is standing is much less likely to be hit than someone who has fainted.
Source: Yahoo Answers and interesting tips from WikiHow
This is an alternative maneuver to the Epley.
Though in most cases patients found the Epley to be more effective. This is just a “plan-b” in case the Epley doesn’t seem to help.
Do this 3x a day (morning, noon, and evening) here are the steps i found from a site: “Start sitting upright. Then move into the side-lying position, with the head angled upward about halfway.
An easy way to remember this is to imagine someone standing about 6 feet in front of you, and just keep looking at their head at all times. Stay in the side-lying position for 30 seconds, or until the dizziness subsides if this is longer, then go back to the sitting position. Stay there for 30 seconds, and then go to the opposite side and follow the same routine.” do this for 5 rounds. one session should be at least 10 minutes. do this 3x per day for 2 weeks. or twice per day for 3 weeks if you like.
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