What Causes Headache and Vomiting Together?

What It Means

When headache and vomiting occur at the same time, a shared underlying condition is usually responsible. 9 medical conditions are known to produce this symptom combination.

Key Factors

• →Subarachnoid hemorrhage: thunderclap headache + vomiting
• →Bacterial meningitis: progressive headache + vomiting + fever + neck stiffness
• →Increased intracranial pressure from any mass lesion
• →Migraine with nausea and vomiting
• →Hypertensive crisis with Cushing response (headache + vomiting + bradycardia)

Common Causes

• →Subarachnoid hemorrhage: thunderclap headache + vomiting
• →Bacterial meningitis: progressive headache + vomiting + fever + neck stiffness
• →Increased intracranial pressure from any mass lesion
• →Migraine with nausea and vomiting
• →Hypertensive crisis with Cushing response (headache + vomiting + bradycardia)

Related Conditions

• MigraineMigraine is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, severe headaches often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Attacks can last 4–72 hours and significantly impair daily functioning.
• Brain TumorBrain tumors can be primary (arising in the brain) or metastatic (spreading from elsewhere). Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary brain tumor, causing headaches, seizures, and progressive neurological deficits.
• MeningitisMeningitis is inflammation of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency causing severe headache, neck stiffness, fever, and potentially fatal if untreated.
• EncephalitisEncephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most commonly caused by viral infections (herpes simplex, enteroviruses). It presents with fever, altered consciousness, seizures, and focal neurological deficits; early antiviral treatment is crucial.
• MalariaMalaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, causing cyclical fever, chills, and anemia. Plasmodium falciparum causes the most severe form; artemisinin-based combination therapy is the first-line treatment.
• Dengue FeverDengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection causing high fever, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, and a characteristic skin rash. Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form with bleeding and organ impairment.
• Viral MeningitisViral meningitis is inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord caused by viruses. Less severe than bacterial meningitis, most cases resolve without specific treatment.
• Salmonella InfectionSalmonellosis is a common bacterial food poisoning caused by Salmonella bacteria. It typically causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps beginning 12-72 hours after infection.