What Causes Nausea, Headache And Diarrhea After Missing A Meal?

Posted on Thu, 25 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 Answered on

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : Five days ago I missed lunch and started getting a headache and felt nauseous. I ate something and it got worse. I rested and drank ginger ale and started burping then felt better. Every day since I feel a little nauseous after I eat and have a small headache. I have had a little diarrhea today with feeling nauseous I am not pregnant

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Can be gastritis and may need antacids and Motility agents

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all it's sad to know what you had been going through lately.

Based on the history you have shared, it can be some Inflammation of gastric tract or stomach linning called gastritis which may be triggering nausea and in turn headaches as gas burping made it better do relation to stomach and possiblity of gaseous bloating due to gastritis is favored more.

Using antacids like omperazole before meals and motility agents like domperidone or itapride may help. But if symptoms persist a baseline liver and renal functions as well as serology for H. pylori may be needed. For headaches OTC analgesics like acetaminophen can help.

Avoiding spicy, heavy and greasy junk foods and fizzy drinks will also be needed. If symptoms persist beyond a week or accompanied by fever possibility of enteric fever should also be ruled out and a gastroenterologist review should be sought.

Take Care,
Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin,
General & Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D