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What Causes Headache Along With Nausea While Suffering From Severe Neck Issues?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: I was nauseas with bad headache a week ago. It passed in two days. Today I woke up and turned my head to the right and got nystagmus to the right which didn't stop for more than 30 seconds. I also feel nauseaus this morning again . Scared.
I have several discs in my neck that are out of whack from an injury years ago. I have soreness on right side of neck a lot and I get migraines pretty frequently, but this naseau and dizziness are new
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Neck issues most probable culprit.

Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms your are experiencing.

If you have severe neck issues it is common to have symptoms similar to yours like headache, nausea and balance issues. That pain happens due to compression of spinal nerve roots leading to pain in the neck and head. The balance issues (dizziness and nausea) can be either due to compression on cervical vessels supplying the posterior part of the brain with blood or due to compression of nerve roots which bring signals to the vestibular nuclei (brain stem nuclei which are important for balance). Nystagmus is a possible accompanying sign.

So in my opinion the most probable origin is your cervical spine for which treatment is with anti inflammatory drugs and physical therapy.

Less likely is a stroke in your posterior brain, but considering your neck issues, your young age not typical for stroke and not mentioning other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart arrhythmias, smoking, high cholesterol, recent head or neck trauma etc, that is not likely. Also usually there are other accompanying symptoms and signs.
If the new symptoms persist though, a physical evaluation should be performed by your doctorto check for neurological signs and to evaluate the need for brain imaging to exclude brain lesions

I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Olsi Taka (8 minutes later)
Thank you very much. I have an appointment with internist tomorrow. I checked for stroke and my smile is fine. I can move my arms equally and my tongue up and down. I never had the nystagmus before. I will take some advil and see if that helps. Neck issues terrible!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Olsi Taka (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Read below.

Detailed Answer:
It is good that you are checking with your doctor just to make sure. I understand that nystagmus can be scary symptom, but it can be present in severe cases as I said.
It can also be present in stroke but usually with other symptoms as I told you. Another common potential cause can be also inner ear issues but with the headache and history of neck problems I considered it not likely and didn't mention.

Wishing you good health!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Olsi Taka

Neurologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 3672 Questions

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What Causes Headache Along With Nausea While Suffering From Severe Neck Issues?

Brief Answer: Neck issues most probable culprit. Detailed Answer: I read your question carefully and I am sorry about the symptoms your are experiencing. If you have severe neck issues it is common to have symptoms similar to yours like headache, nausea and balance issues. That pain happens due to compression of spinal nerve roots leading to pain in the neck and head. The balance issues (dizziness and nausea) can be either due to compression on cervical vessels supplying the posterior part of the brain with blood or due to compression of nerve roots which bring signals to the vestibular nuclei (brain stem nuclei which are important for balance). Nystagmus is a possible accompanying sign. So in my opinion the most probable origin is your cervical spine for which treatment is with anti inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. Less likely is a stroke in your posterior brain, but considering your neck issues, your young age not typical for stroke and not mentioning other risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart arrhythmias, smoking, high cholesterol, recent head or neck trauma etc, that is not likely. Also usually there are other accompanying symptoms and signs. If the new symptoms persist though, a physical evaluation should be performed by your doctorto check for neurological signs and to evaluate the need for brain imaging to exclude brain lesions I remain at your disposal for further questions.