Why does migraine cause nausea?
Short answer
Nausea in migraine reflects involvement of the brainstem centers that regulate gastrointestinal function and autonomic responses. It is part of the neurological event, not a separate problem.
More detail
The same pathways that produce head pain, light sensitivity, and dizziness also affect gastric motility and the autonomic responses that make people feel queasy. Nausea can precede, accompany, or persist after the head pain.
Because nausea affects the ability to take oral medication and to eat consistently, it can also feed the migraine cycle by disrupting sleep and blood-glucose stability.
This information is educational and general in nature. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe every possible cause of a symptom. Individual evaluation is required to determine what applies to any specific case.
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Migraine & Persistent Headache Care
Evaluation and individualized care for migraine, post-traumatic headache, and persistent headache patterns.
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