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How Can Tension Headache, Vomiting And Chills Be Treated?
Question: My son who has is 18 has a tension headache, vomiting and chills. He stopped vomiting. Pleasant advise as to how I can care for him?
Brief Answer:
Continue Ibuprofen for now, more info might help.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It might have been useful if you could have provided some more information though. Info such as when did the headache start, manner of onset (gradually increasing, or very abrupt reaching maximum intensity in seconds/minutes), location of the headache, type of headache (throbbing, aching, pressure like, stabing etc), prior headache history etc. I am assuming he has no other medical conditions and is not under any medication.
Based by the current info alone, I would advise to continue the Ibuprofen which you have used as needed, may safely take up to 1200 mg a day (may go even higher in some cases). If vomiting continues to an issue then maybe an antiemetic medication like prochlorperazine may be necessary, but I'm not sure it's sold over the counter in the US, might need to be applied in the ER (where some hydrating solutions may also be applied). Should also check his temperature given the chills you mention.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Continue Ibuprofen for now, more info might help.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
It might have been useful if you could have provided some more information though. Info such as when did the headache start, manner of onset (gradually increasing, or very abrupt reaching maximum intensity in seconds/minutes), location of the headache, type of headache (throbbing, aching, pressure like, stabing etc), prior headache history etc. I am assuming he has no other medical conditions and is not under any medication.
Based by the current info alone, I would advise to continue the Ibuprofen which you have used as needed, may safely take up to 1200 mg a day (may go even higher in some cases). If vomiting continues to an issue then maybe an antiemetic medication like prochlorperazine may be necessary, but I'm not sure it's sold over the counter in the US, might need to be applied in the ER (where some hydrating solutions may also be applied). Should also check his temperature given the chills you mention.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
For the moment I wouldn't add any other medications apart from Ibuprofen. The 200mg dosage is small though, for a healthy young individual the effective dosage is usually 400-600 mg.
Apart from that I wouldn't add something else. It may be simply a viral infection which should be transitory. If there are symptoms like nasal congestion and discharge then a decongestant may be added for the possibility of sinus inflammation.
Migraine is another possibility, throbbing headache with nausea and vomiting are typical, but if the first episode one can't make the diagnosis, only with a history of recurrent headaches.
If any new symptoms appear let me know.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
For the moment I wouldn't add any other medications apart from Ibuprofen. The 200mg dosage is small though, for a healthy young individual the effective dosage is usually 400-600 mg.
Apart from that I wouldn't add something else. It may be simply a viral infection which should be transitory. If there are symptoms like nasal congestion and discharge then a decongestant may be added for the possibility of sinus inflammation.
Migraine is another possibility, throbbing headache with nausea and vomiting are typical, but if the first episode one can't make the diagnosis, only with a history of recurrent headaches.
If any new symptoms appear let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My son is no longer vomiting but has a temperature of 101. His head throbs but not as bad. Please advise.
I have him on 1200 mg if ibruprophen.
Much Appreciated.
XXXX
I have him on 1200 mg if ibruprophen.
Much Appreciated.
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
Temperature and headache are not very specific symptoms, meaning that they can manifest in any type of infection, alone do not make any distinction. Most commonly it is only a case of a viral infection as I said before. Usually in a previously healthy 18-year-old it is transitory and improvement starts within the week. The only necessary treatment is Ibuprofen as needed (depending on temperature and pain levels). Staying hydrated is important as well. Vitamin C may be added as it is supposed to enhance immunity although his body should be able to cope by itself.
In the absence of other symptoms to indicate something more than a viral infection is going on, I wouldn’t recommend anything else.
The question you might ask now is, what would raise the suspicion that a more serious infection is at play, what would prompt for him to be seen by a doctor and have some tests. Some manifestation which would need more close inspection would be: Chest pain or trouble brathing, Confusion or changes in behavior, persistent vomiting, increasingly severe headache, stiff neck, rashes or other changes in the skin, pain or difficulty during urination, abdominal pain, blood in the stool. Also persistence of symptoms over a week would be a reason to seek medical attention, even earlier than a week if symptoms continue to be on a worsening curve with temperature over 39.5.
Hope I didn’t forget something, but anyway if new symptoms appear do not hesitate to write again.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the update.
Temperature and headache are not very specific symptoms, meaning that they can manifest in any type of infection, alone do not make any distinction. Most commonly it is only a case of a viral infection as I said before. Usually in a previously healthy 18-year-old it is transitory and improvement starts within the week. The only necessary treatment is Ibuprofen as needed (depending on temperature and pain levels). Staying hydrated is important as well. Vitamin C may be added as it is supposed to enhance immunity although his body should be able to cope by itself.
In the absence of other symptoms to indicate something more than a viral infection is going on, I wouldn’t recommend anything else.
The question you might ask now is, what would raise the suspicion that a more serious infection is at play, what would prompt for him to be seen by a doctor and have some tests. Some manifestation which would need more close inspection would be: Chest pain or trouble brathing, Confusion or changes in behavior, persistent vomiting, increasingly severe headache, stiff neck, rashes or other changes in the skin, pain or difficulty during urination, abdominal pain, blood in the stool. Also persistence of symptoms over a week would be a reason to seek medical attention, even earlier than a week if symptoms continue to be on a worsening curve with temperature over 39.5.
Hope I didn’t forget something, but anyway if new symptoms appear do not hesitate to write again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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