Headache, weakness, nausea and drowsiness

Symptoms: fatigue, weakness, faintness, eye fatigue, eye strain, blurred vision, blurred vision, headache, heaviness in the head, decreased performance, drowsiness, chronic lack of sleep, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, feeling of melancholy, feeling depression, memory problems, inability to concentrate, sudden mood swings.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a state of constant fatigue that does not normalize even after prolonged rest.

The symptoms of this “fashionable” disease are very common in modern large cities. This is due to the stressful lifestyle of city residents (mental and physical stress), the difficult environmental situation, the presence of a large number of various viral infections in the environment - all this reduces the functioning of not only the immune system, which protects us from various pathogens, but also the autonomic part of the nervous system, controlling the functioning of all our internal organs, our entire body.

Numerous foreign studies show that when diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, in 99% of cases there are disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.

It is this part of the nervous system that is responsible for adapting our body to any load, everyday (stand up, sit down) or more complex (various emotional stresses, weather changes, infectious diseases, antibiotic treatment). At the body level, this is expressed in the regulation of blood inflow and outflow, thermoregulation, general control of the work of internal organs, muscles, etc. This is the daily work of the autonomic nervous system, which we in a healthy state do not feel in any way.

If these elementary functions necessary for the normal functioning of our body are disrupted, then symptoms may arise, the causes of which do not reveal themselves in numerous medical studies, because they lie precisely in the disorder of a number of autonomic nerve centers. Only if they work properly, the initially self-healing system of the human body can easily cope with any load, including various stresses, and fully recover during night sleep and during periods of short or long rest. With an understanding of the importance of the work of the autonomic nervous system, any “chronic” disease does not seem so hopelessly “incurable,” which can also be said about “chronic fatigue syndrome.”

Causes of drowsiness, headache, nausea and weakness

Drowsiness, headache, nausea are unpleasant symptoms that can bother the patient for a long time. They occur for various reasons, from simple fatigue or poisoning to the initial stages of brain diseases. It is impossible to carry out an accurate diagnosis on your own. The patient’s main task is to make an appointment with a doctor and answer questions about how and when the pain appeared, in what area it is located and what symptoms it is accompanied by.

Endocrine system diseases

One of the reasons for constant weakness and drowsiness, aching headaches is diseases of the endocrine organs. They are represented by organs that produce hormones into the blood and thereby participate in most biochemical processes in the body. Hormonal imbalance leads to poor health, headaches and other disorders.

1. Diabetes mellitus is a disease characterized by insufficient levels of insulin produced by the pancreas in the blood. This leads to increased glucose concentrations, constant weakness, destruction of vascular walls and other long-term complications. The first symptoms of the disease include a constant feeling of thirst, weakness, dry mouth, and nausea. To confirm the diagnosis, blood glucose levels are measured.
2. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency of thyroid hormones of any origin. In its mild form, it does not manifest any symptoms, but can also cause weakness, apathy, weight loss or gain, deepening of the voice, and the appearance of a goiter. Hypothyroidism occurs as a result of diseases or injuries of the thyroid gland, iodine deficiency in the diet, and also as a result of diseases of the pituitary gland.

In women, drowsiness, headache, weakness and nausea may occur in the first trimester of pregnancy due to toxicosis. Deterioration in well-being is provoked by the body’s adaptation to changes and restructuring of the immune system. In this case, it is important to avoid dehydration and undergo regular examinations with a doctor. In the first trimester of pregnancy, manifestations of toxicosis are allowed, but in the later stages this condition is not considered normal and requires hospitalization.

Intoxication

Poisoning with food, medicine or alcohol, gaseous substances is a dangerous condition that requires urgent medical attention. These compounds cause acute intoxication, nausea and weakness, and a sharp deterioration in health. Similar symptoms develop when bitten by poisonous animals or insects. They can be mildly expressed if a small amount of toxins enters the body. However, in high concentrations, toxic substances can cause damage to the nervous system and other dangerous consequences.

There are several types of poisoning, depending on the type of toxic substance and how it enters the body.

1. Food poisoning is the most common type. In everyday life, they can occur in any person and quickly go away on their own. However, some types of poisonous plants, expired and perishable foods cause a vivid picture. The first recommendations are a water diet, taking sorbents and gastric lavage if necessary.
2. Poisoning from medications and alcohol can also occur due to negligence. Toxins spread quickly through the blood and can cause damage to brain tissue. The danger comes from drinking large doses of alcohol once or drinking low-quality alcohol, as well as regularly drinking drinks, even in small quantities.
3. Poisoning with poisonous mushrooms is one of the most dangerous causes of weakness, nausea and headaches. If your health worsens after eating even edible mushrooms, especially those collected yourself, you should urgently consult a doctor. The poisons contained in mushrooms cause toxic damage to the brain and can lead to disruption of vital functions.
4. Poisoning by toxic gases is possible even at home. A natural gas leak may cause drowsiness, weakness, nausea, and headache. If these symptoms appear, it is urgent to provide access to oxygen and leave the room.

The pattern of various types of intoxication depends on the type of toxic substance and the method of its entry into the body, as well as on the severity of the symptoms. If there is a significant deterioration in health, hospitalization and a course to relieve intoxication are required. The only exceptions are mild forms of food poisoning, for which taking sorbents is sufficient.

Inner ear diseases

Headache is one of the first signs of inner ear diseases. This organ is responsible not only for hearing, but also for balance, and has a complex structure. It is formed by a bony labyrinth, within which there is a membranous labyrinth. Various hearing and balance disorders, as well as headaches and nausea, can be associated with diseases of the structures of the inner ear or the vestibular nerve - it is involved in the innervation of this organ.

1. Meniere's disease is a chronic disease in which the production of endolymph, the fluid contents of the inner ear, increases. The pressure inside the labyrinth increases, which provokes attacks of acute headaches. The disease manifests itself in attacks that can last from several hours to days.
2. Chronic otitis media is a dangerous disease that can cause purulent complications and even hearing loss. The pain can be localized on one side or spread to the entire surface of the head. With the development of purulent inflammation, characteristic discharge from the ear canal is observed.
3. Inflammation of the vestibular nerve (vestibular neuritis) – often manifested by dizziness, nausea, and headache. Its symptoms gradually disappear over several weeks, subject to timely treatment.

Headache, nausea, weakness and dizziness are symptoms for which additional examination of the inner ear is prescribed. It is important to determine the source of pain and distinguish diseases of the organ of hearing from various disorders of the central nervous system.

Diseases of the cardiovascular system

Heart and vascular diseases are common among patients of any age. They can be congenital or acquired, occur in acute or chronic forms. Their causes include various anomalies in the structure of the heart and blood vessels, as well as injuries, inflammatory processes, and metabolic disorders. At risk are overweight patients who lead a sedentary lifestyle, as well as smokers. Frequent consumption of alcohol and poor nutrition can cause deterioration of blood vessels.

1. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease in which the walls of blood vessels become dense and insufficiently elastic. Deposits of various compounds, including cholesterol, appear on their inner wall. They narrow the vascular lumen, and insufficient blood flows to the hands and feet, as well as to the brain cells. There is also a risk of a blood clot breaking off and completely blocking the vessel.
2. Hypertension is a persistent increase in blood pressure. If in a healthy person this figure remains within 120/80 mm. rt. Art. or may increase slightly, then with hypertension it is significantly higher. The condition threatens rapid fatigue of the heart muscle and stretching of the muscle layer of blood vessels. Blood pressure must be adjusted with medications to prevent myocardial infarction.
3. Hypotension is low blood pressure. The condition is manifested by weakness, fatigue, decreased concentration and frequent headaches. With a sharp decrease in pressure, fainting is possible. For hypotension, it is important to dose the physical activity regimen and follow a diet to increase blood pressure. This disease is dangerous due to insufficient blood supply to the brain, which can cause ischemic stroke.

Doctors at the Clinical Brain Institute recommend periodically measuring your blood pressure yourself. In your home medicine cabinet you should definitely have a tonometer and medications to increase and decrease blood pressure. They are not recommended to be taken without a prescription, but during an attack they can be extremely useful for normalizing well-being.

Other reasons

Drowsiness, weakness, nausea and headache are common symptoms that can occur in a healthy person. They indicate severe fatigue, anxiety and stress, and disappear after proper rest. However, this condition may correspond to various diseases and disorders that require medical attention:

• migraine is a primary headache in which attacks can last from several hours to several days;
• iron deficiency in the body is one of the causes of anemia (lack of oxygen) and disruption of the formation of hemoglobin;
• sudden weight loss, including during stress or following strict diets;
• regular use of certain groups of drugs (antipsychotics, hormonal and painkillers, drugs to correct uric acid levels may have side effects);
• brain tumors are a dangerous but rare cause of headaches, weakness and drowsiness.

Doctors recommend monitoring your health. Constant weakness, drowsiness, decreased concentration - this is not a normal state. At home, it is worth adjusting your diet and including a sufficient amount of important vitamins and microelements in your diet. Additional medications are prescribed only based on the results of the examination.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

In some cases, if a headache appears in combination with weakness, you should immediately seek medical help, as they may indicate the development of dangerous diseases and conditions, including stroke and meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain).

Alarming symptoms are:

• severe headache that comes on suddenly;
• limited ability to tilt your head forward, pressing your chin to your chest, combined with general weakness;
• confusion;
• visual impairment, speech impairment;
• numbness of the limbs.

Diagnostic methods

At the Clinical Institute of the Brain you can undergo a full diagnosis, which will include examinations of any level. The first stage is a consultation with a therapist to identify complaints and prescribe further procedures. Next, an individual diagnostic scheme is selected, which may include the following methods:

• blood tests (general and biochemical) to determine inflammatory processes in the body, disruption of the functioning of individual organs and systems, measurement of hemoglobin levels;
• Ultrasound of internal organs, including the heart;
• electrocardiography – diagnosis of heart rhythm, one of the main ways to determine heart defects;
• MRI, CT scan of the brain - is prescribed for suspected neoplasms, the presence of areas of ischemia and other pathologies.

It is important to understand that competent and timely diagnosis is the key to successful treatment. The use of modern equipment, which is located at the Clinical Institute of the Brain, greatly simplifies the task and allows you to quickly make the correct diagnosis.

Physiological reasons

Head pain can be caused by lack of sleep, which causes drowsiness, or vice versa. However, symptoms do not always occur against the background of pathological reactions in the body. In 75% of cases, the clinical picture develops as a result of a person’s neglect of the daily routine, the rules of a healthy lifestyle or nutrition.

Physiological provocateurs of drowsiness and headache:

• Chronic fatigue – insufficient hours of sleep leads to the fact that the brain does not have time to cleanse itself of toxins. Harmful substances begin to be absorbed into the tissues, poisoning them;
• dehydration - only with active circulation of fluid in the body does it clear it of decay products. An adult should drink at least 2 liters of water per day, otherwise waste products will be retained in the intestines. They are absorbed into the blood, primarily negatively affecting the brain;
• hunger - strict diets or long breaks between meals lead to loss of strength, drowsiness, and the appearance of cephalgia;
• avitaminosis – a lack of vitamins and minerals leads to disruption of the course of chemical reactions and inhibition of metabolic processes;
• taking medications – taking medications that have not been approved by a doctor can lead to many adverse reactions. Drowsiness combined with headache are the most common;
• hypoxia of the brain - the lack of oxygen can be caused by refusal to walk, staying for a long time or sleeping in a stuffy room;
• weather sensitivity - some people react with this set of symptoms to changes in atmospheric pressure, changes in temperature or humidity;

• unfavorable external conditions - this may include working in hazardous production, living in an environmentally unfavorable area;
• violation of healthy eating rules - abuse of processed foods, fast food, carbonated drinks, caffeine, canned food;
• hormonal changes - women often suffer from cephalalgia due to drowsiness during pregnancy, menopause, and before menstruation.

The exclusion of provoking factors allows you to count on the rapid disappearance of symptoms without medical intervention. Taking pills or using traditional medicine against this background will only provide temporary relief. In some cases, such therapy can cause a deterioration in a person’s condition.

Treatment methods

The treatment regimen is selected individually. Most patients are prescribed a course of medications to take at home. It is recommended to undergo repeated examinations periodically to monitor the dynamics of the disease. The course may include the following stages:

• drugs to increase or decrease blood pressure;
• a special diet for atherosclerosis, heart and vascular diseases, which excludes fatty foods, fried foods, salt and spices in large quantities;
• migraine pain relievers;
• antibiotics – prescribed for inflammation of the inner ear, for the treatment and prevention of purulent complications;
• A course of vitamins and microelements is selected based on the results of a blood test.

The Clinical Brain Institute offers an individual approach to each patient. Here you can undergo comprehensive diagnostics, receive recommendations from specialists with many years of experience, and also stay for treatment in a hospital setting.

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Pathological causes

In 25% of situations, a combination of symptoms still occurs as a result of disorders in the body. Usually this condition is accompanied by a number of other symptoms. Based on the characteristics of the clinical picture, a diagnosis can be suspected, but it is better not to start treatment on your own. Only a trip to the doctor will allow you to determine exactly what the problem is and choose the best option to combat it. The sooner you start therapy, the higher the chances of a complete recovery without negative consequences.

Hypersomnia

The condition is characterized by a violation of the regime in the form of a significant increase in the rest period. Despite a long night's sleep (more than 10 hours in a row), a person diagnosed never feels alert. He complains of drowsiness, lack of strength, and has problems waking up. Hypersomnia rarely turns out to be an independent disease. This is usually a consequence of trauma, infection, chronic stress, brain hypoxia, emotional exhaustion or sleep apnea.

Clinical picture of the condition:

• cephalalgia of various types in the form of regular attacks;
• drowsiness up to involuntary falling asleep in the most inappropriate places;
• muscle weakness after waking up - a person needs a few minutes to come to his senses;
• fatigue;
• bradycardia;
• hypotension;
• dizziness;
• cramps, involuntary muscle contractions;
• lethargy, decreased reaction speed;
• deterioration in the quality of vision.

Treatment of hypersomnia is aimed at combating the disease that provokes it. If the pathology develops independently, it is necessary to at least normalize the sleep schedule. To do this, you should refrain from working, drinking alcohol, and eating fatty foods in the evening. Sometimes taking medications as prescribed by a doctor and taking a nap twice a day lasting no more than an hour helps.

Anemia

The disease occurs when, under the influence of external or internal factors in a unit of human blood, the level of hemoglobin and/or the number of red blood cells decreases. The result is a disruption of the gas exchange process in tissues. The condition can develop independently or occur against the background of organic pathologies. In the first case, risks appear when dietary rules are violated, for example, strict diets. There are several types of anemia. Almost always, the disease is accompanied by headache, drowsiness, weakness, loss of strength, and a general deterioration in well-being.

Therapy is aimed at eliminating the provoking factor and restoring blood composition. Particular attention is paid to nutrition. The diet should be based on foods that increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood. The patient also needs vitamins and minerals. In severe cases, drug treatment is carried out using iron-based drugs.

Migraine

The disease is characterized by unilateral pulsating cephalalgia of increased intensity. It usually occurs in the frontal part of the skull, then spreads to the temple and spreads over the entire half of the head. Soreness often appears after a night's rest, accompanied by drowsiness and muscle weakness. The clinical picture is accompanied by a fear of light, sounds, and smells. Nausea may be present, which at the peak of pain turns into vomiting, bringing relief to the patient. The duration of the attack ranges from 3 to 72 hours. Exacerbations can occur from once a year to several times a week.

Treatment is selected individually, based on the clinical picture, the patient’s age, and the characteristics of the case. Usually it comes down to eliminating the influence of triggers (attack provocateurs) on the body and relieving pain. In difficult cases, drug prevention in combination with reflexology methods is indicated.

Poor circulation in the brain

Failure of blood circulation in the brain leads to oxygen starvation of the organ and its poisoning with harmful substances. At first, the process proceeds almost unnoticed. It may be indicated by rare, short-lived headaches of mild or moderate intensity. Over time, the clinical picture becomes more vivid. It is accompanied by weakness, drowsiness, bad mood, and dizziness. In advanced cases, headaches occur almost continuously, tinnitus, memory problems, and absent-mindedness appear.

Therapy involves eliminating the factor leading to circulatory disorders. This may be the fight against atherosclerotic plaques, restoration of vascular tone, reduction of high blood pressure, elimination of inflammation or tumors. Additionally, the patient is advised to take nootropics, vitamins, and painkillers.

Tumor

Drowsiness, which is accompanied by constant or paroxysmal severe headache, needs

in urgent diagnosis. The combination of symptoms may indicate the presence of a tumor in the skull. A malignant tumor can grow rapidly, penetrate into the structure of the brain matter or blood vessels, and release toxins. A benign conglomerate puts pressure on tissues and meninges, reducing the performance of the organ. Basic symptoms are often supplemented by nausea, general deterioration of health, dizziness, and decreased coordination.

The treatment regimen depends on the type, size, and location of the tumor. In some cases, everything is limited to drug therapy, in which the size of the formation is controlled. Sometimes you have to resort to chemotherapy, irradiation of the affected area, and surgical removal of excess tissue.

Meningitis and encephalitis

Inflammatory damage to the brain substance or its membranes is accompanied by a number of clear signs. The main one is an intense, painful, growing headache. It occurs as a result of swelling of the affected tissues and intensifies due to intoxication of the body. The sensations are so strong that the patient freezes with his eyes closed. Any of his actions can provoke an increase in the symptom. Cephalgia is accompanied by drowsiness, fever, general weakness, nausea, and repeated vomiting. With meningitis, the picture is complemented by stiffness of the neck muscles, due to which the patient lies on his side with his head thrown back.

Treatment is carried out in a hospital, where the victim must be taken urgently. The list of manipulations depends on the causes of the problem. Most often, the provocateur is an infection, so the patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Infusion therapy is also necessary, aimed at restoring the balance of electrolytes, preventing cerebral edema, and eliminating associated symptoms.

Other causes of sleepiness and headaches

Doctors highlight a number of other points that may be accompanied by cephalgia and drowsiness. Most of them can be successfully dealt with. Refusal to visit a doctor, undergo diagnostics, or carry out treatment threatens the development of chronic diseases, exacerbation of symptoms, and a decrease in quality of life.

Diabetes

The term refers to a group of pathologies of a hormonal nature, as a result of which the human body experiences problems with the absorption of glucose. In addition to headaches combined with drowsiness, patients experience severe thirst and dizziness. They suffer from polyuria, hypotension, and mood swings. Ignoring the problem is fraught with serious consequences, including coma, damage to limbs or internal organs, and death.

Apnea syndrome

Sudden cessation of breathing during sleep is most often observed in older people. The patient wakes up due to lack of oxygen, which can lead to severe fright. Because of the fear of a repetition of the event, a person is afraid to fall asleep, and in the morning he feels overwhelmed. Systematic repetition of the phenomenon gradually leads to disruption of the cleansing of the brain from toxins, physical and emotional exhaustion. The result is headaches, drowsiness, apathy, and weakness.

Blood pressure problems

Pathologically elevated blood pressure can cause disruption of sleep schedules and chronic insomnia. It in itself provokes cephalalgia, and in combination with lack of sleep it also causes daytime sleepiness. Hypotension may also be accompanied by a combination of two symptoms. In this case, a person literally does not have the strength to perform the simplest actions. The patient feels apathy, loses appetite, experiences muscle weakness, and does not feel alert after rest.

Depressive state

Changes in mental background are often provoked by stress, emotional or physical exhaustion. Overexertion provokes mood swings, headaches, drowsiness, apathy or aggression, and poor attention. In sensitive, weather-dependent, asthenic people, problems manifest themselves especially clearly. Taking analgesics and sleep in this case will not give the desired results; first you need to eliminate the irritant. To alleviate the condition, yoga, reflexology, massage, taking natural sedatives, and aromatherapy are indicated. In difficult situations, consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist and the use of medications are indicated.

Depression of an organic nature cannot be ruled out on its own. The phenomenon can accompany hormonal imbalances, the formation of malignant tumors, and some diseases of internal organs. Here psychotherapy, the use of sedatives or tranquilizers will not help. First you need to get rid of the source of the problem.

Headaches combined with drowsiness are familiar to most people. If the phenomenon is one-time, is not accompanied by additional symptoms and goes away after rest, there is no reason to panic. If unpleasant sensations occur systematically, you should not act on your own; it is better to immediately go to the doctor.

Headache and sleep hygiene

In some cases, sleep-related headaches are not caused by serious illnesses, but by poor sleep hygiene. For example, it may be associated with sleeping in a stuffy room, with low humidity, or on an uncomfortable bed, where a person has to wake up several times a night to take a more comfortable position.

The symptom may be caused by using a pillow that is too high or low. If a person’s head is in an unnatural position during sleep, this can lead to impaired blood circulation in the vessels of the neck, which impairs blood flow to the brain, creates conditions for oxygen starvation and predisposes to the appearance of complaints. In addition, in this case, the discomfort is intensified due to muscle-tonic syndrome: tension in the neck muscles with pain spreading to the head, from the back of the head to the orbit.

A headache can occur not only due to a lack of sleep, but also due to its excess - probably every person has felt this way after “oversleeping” on their legal day off. In this case, the cause is also a violation of blood flow to the brain and venous outflow from it, “intensified” by staying in a stationary position for too long.