Headaches are quite literally, such a pain in the head. It can make you feel nauseous, weak, and sometimes even dizzy. However, dizziness along with a headache can be due to a number of reasons. This is because headaches are of many types.
Talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Kiran Dhake, MBBS, Corporate wellness physician and Sonologist said, “Multiple factors can interact and cause headaches and dizziness. Here are some risk factors for each type of headache that may contribute to or be associated with dizziness,” as he listed:
Common Headaches: Migraine, Tension Headache
A migraine is a complex disorder in which a person experiences episodes of moderate-to-severe headache, along with nausea, dizziness, and light and sound sensitivity. Whereas, tension headaches do not show these extra symptoms, except dizziness of course, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. It is instead caused by stress or muscle tension and tends to affect both sides of the head.
Talking about the risk factors of a migraine and tension headache, Dr Dhake listed:
- Stress: Disturbed emotional well-being and stress can trigger tension headaches.
- Hunger: Prolonged fasting or skipped meals can induce a migraine.
- Inadequate Sleep: It is a fairly common triggering factor for migraines.
- Genetics: Migraines may have a genetic and hereditary predisposition.
- Hormonal Imbalance: Fluctuating hormonal levels in women can give rise to episodic migraine.
Cluster Headache
Another type of headache that may cause dizziness is cluster headache. “This is a relatively rare type of headache,” said Dr Dhake. According to the UK’s Nationa Health Service, this is a severe type of headache that may last for weeks or months. It causes a sharp, burning or piercing pain, usually on one side of the head, around the eye, lasting between 15 minutes- 3 hours, and happens at the same time of year or at set times of the day.
Dr Dhake shared this list of factors that increase the risk of a cluster headache:
- Age and Gender: It is relatively common in males and prevalent in the 20s and 30s.
- Genetics: There may be a genetic predisposition for cluster headaches.
- Addictions: Substance abuse like cocaine use, smoking, and alcohol consumption are linked closely with cluster headaches.
- Physical Activities: Excess or vigorous exercise can trigger a cluster variety of headaches.
- Sunlight Exposure: Prolonged sunlight exposure can lead to this variety of headache.
- Dietary Sources: Food containing nitrates can render cluster headache.
Chronic Variety of Headaches
“Chronic variety of headaches include chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache (TTH),” said Dr Dhake. The International Headache Society describes chronic migraine as a headache that lasts for more than 15 days a month. Chronic TTH on the other hand, we described to last up to 15 days a month on an average for at least 3 months a year.
Here are their risk factors:
- Stress and Anxiety Disorder: Chronic stress and recurrent anxiety attacks are common precipitating factors for a chronic variety of headaches.
- Sleep Disorders: Erratic sleep patterns or compromised quality of sleep can contribute to this variety.
- Medication Overuse: Overuse of painkillers, including those used to treat headaches, can lead to chronic headaches.
Disorders That Cause Headache And Dizziness
Now that it is understood that headaches can be of many types and may contribute to dizziness, certain disorders cause headaches, which in turn may cause dizziness. Dr Dhake shared a few examples:
- Fluctuating Blood Pressure: Rapid, sudden, and abrupt alterations in blood pressure can give rise to headaches and dizziness.
- Inner Ear Disorder: Conditions affecting the inner ear, such as fluid buildup, can cause dizziness (vertigo) and headache.
- Neurological Conditions: Vestibular apparatus disorder, another ear disorder which is called balance disorder, can contribute to both headache and dizziness.
Dr Dhake concluded that certain lifestyle factors like dehydration, poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, and excessive caffeine consumption are also risk factors for dizziness-inducing headaches. He recommended that in the case of persistent or severe headaches, consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation to develop tailored management protocols.