If you suffer from fatigue and constant headaches, it may be time to see a doctor. A headache can be a sign of sleep disorders, dehydration or several other chronic diseases. Fatigue is a common symptom of many conditions including depression, sleep disorders and fibromyalgia. Fatigue and lack of energy are also common in people who suffer from migraine headaches.
What can cause headaches and fatigue?
Fatigue and headache are common symptoms of many conditions. Most of them are harmless, but some of them, however, may require lifestyle changes or continuous treatment. Find out what these conditions are in the following text.
Migraine
Migraine is a type of severe headache that starts suddenly. The headache is usually throbbing, affecting one side of the head, but sometimes it can affect both sides. About 10 to 30 minutes before the headache starts, about 20% of people have symptoms of depression, irritability, restlessness, nausea, or loss of appetite. Fatigue can also occur in this phase. About 20% of patients at this stage lose vision in a specific area or see flashing or sparkling lights. Distorted images occur less often; for example, objects appear smaller or larger than they are. Some people have a tingling sensation or, rarely, weakness in one arm or leg. Sometimes the hands and feet may become cold and blue. Usually these symptoms herald the onset of a migraine, but sometimes they last as long as the migraine lasts.
Migraines often cause hypersensitivity to light and smells. Certain foods such as cheese, chocolate, wine can cause nausea and disgust. Migraine affects women more often. Migraine attacks last several hours or days.
When the headache subsides, fatigue and apathy may occur. You should see a doctor if headaches start to affect your daily life.
Dehydration
Many people get headaches when they don't drink enough water. Other common symptoms of dehydration include fatigue and sleepiness.
Dehydration headaches often go away within hours of drinking water. To prevent headaches and fatigue from dehydration, try to drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day - more if you exercise or it's a particularly hot day.
Medicines
Headache and fatigue are common side effects of many different types of medication. Some medications such as diuretics and certain high blood pressure medications can cause headaches and fatigue because they can lead to dehydration. Other medications can interfere with sleep patterns. Lack of sleep is also linked to headaches.
caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant. Although it can make you feel alert and reduce fatigue immediately after drinking it, caffeine can also interfere with sleep if you consume too much. Poor sleep can lead to fatigue and headaches. If you drink caffeinated beverages every day, your body becomes addicted to caffeine. If you decide to eliminate caffeine, you will likely experience withdrawal symptoms, including headaches and fatigue.
Chronic fatigue syndrome
The main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is severe and disabling fatigue that lasts at least 4 months and does not improve with rest. Other symptoms include frequent headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, trouble sleeping, and trouble concentrating.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder associated with diffuse pain and general fatigue. Pain usually occurs in tender points, also called triggers, in many parts of the body. People with fibromyalgia may also have frequent headaches. Researchers and doctors do not know what causes fibromyalgia, but there are many researches about the reasons and how this condition occurs. If you experience pain, headaches and fatigue that do not stop, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Sleep disorders
Any disorder that affects your sleep, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome, bruxism (teeth grinding at night) and sleep apnea, can cause headaches and fatigue. Sleep disorders are also associated with migraine headaches.
Lack of sleep causes an increase in the level of the stress hormone (cortisol) in the body, which can negatively affect mood. Other symptoms of elevated cortisol levels include weight gain, irritability, acne, headaches and fatigue.
Concussion
A concussion is a temporary injury to the brain and is usually the result of an injury or blow to the head. Get medical help if you've had a head injury and think you might have a concussion. In addition to headache and fatigue, other concussion symptoms include:
unconsciousness
memory problems
continuous vomiting
behavioral changes
confusion
blurred vision
Hangover
A hangover is a consequence of consuming too much alcohol. Since alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, it can cause headaches. Drinking alcohol also causes blood vessels to widen (vasodilation), which is also associated with headaches. Alcohol can also disrupt sleep patterns, leaving you feeling drowsy and tired the day after drinking.
Cold and flu viruses
Headache and fatigue are common symptoms of the flu and the common cold, both of which are caused by viruses. Most of the time, the headache and fatigue will be accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, runny nose, sore throat and cough.
Anemia
Anemia occurs when the number of healthy red blood cells in your body is too low. When this happens, the body's tissues cannot get enough oxygen. If you have anemia, you are likely to feel tired and weak. You may also feel dizzy and short of breath and have pale skin and brittle nails. Headaches are another common symptom of anemia, especially iron deficiency anemia.
Menstruation
Hormonal changes both before and during menstruation can lead to headaches and fatigue. Some women experience migraines during menstruation. Most women experience some form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) right before their period. Common symptoms of PMS include the following:
emotional changes
sore breasts
humor
a headache
craving for some food
changes in sleep patterns
Eye strain
Staring at a computer, tablet or cell phone screen all day may be necessary due to the nature of the work you do, but it's incredibly stressful on your eyes. As your eyes become tired, you may start to have a headache. Another symptom of eye strain is general tiredness or malaise. You may also have difficulty concentrating or sleep, which can cause you to become even more tired. To combat eye strain, try looking away from the screen every 20 minutes to something at least 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds.
Pregnancy
Headaches and fatigue are just two of the many symptoms of pregnancy. Fatigue is the result of high levels of the hormone progesterone. Likewise, headaches can be caused by hormonal changes and changes in blood volume during pregnancy.
Lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or simply lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the human body. See your doctor if you experience headache and fatigue along with any of the above symptoms. The doctor will need to do several tests to make a diagnosis.
Depression
Depression can make you feel emotionally and physically drained. It can also affect your sleep, leading to headaches and fatigue. Other symptoms include severe sadness, social withdrawal, body aches, changes in appetite, and feelings of worthlessness.
Lupus symptoms
severe fatigue
headaches
a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and nose
joint pain and joint swelling
hair loss
fingers turn white or blue and tingly when cold (Rainaud's phenomenon)
Read more about these and many other topics important for the health of the whole family in the new issue of the Zdravlje supplement, which we give you for free on Thursday, February 23, with the Vijesti newspaper.
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