If you've ever experienced a migraine attack, you know the pain is often only part of the story. Many people also experience nausea, stomach discomfort, loss of appetite, dizziness, and even vomiting. In fact, nausea is one of the most common migraine symptoms and can be just as disruptive as the head pain itself.
Why Do Migraine Attacks Cause Nausea?
Migraine attacks affect much more than the head. During an attack, changes occur within the nervous system that can influence pain processing, balance, sensory perception, and digestion.
Researchers believe these neurological changes may disrupt normal stomach function and activate pathways associated with nausea and vomiting.
As a result, many people experience symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Reduced appetite
- Sensitivity to smells
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
For some people, nausea begins before the head pain starts. For others, it becomes more noticeable as the migraine attack progresses.
What May Help Migraine Nausea?
While every migraine attack is different, many people find relief through a combination of supportive self-care practices.
Keep Your Head Elevated
If you're lying down during a migraine attack, elevating your head slightly may help reduce feelings of nausea and dizziness.
Cold Therapy
Applying a cool compress to the forehead, neck, or back of the head may help promote comfort during a migraine attack and can feel especially soothing when nausea is present.
Fresh Air
Strong odors often worsen migraine nausea. Opening a window, stepping outside briefly, or using a fan to circulate air may help reduce nausea. Diffusing fresh, invigorating essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or rosemary may help refresh your space and minimize unwanted odors that can contribute to feelings of nausea. Here's more about how essential oils can help.
Incorporate Peppermint and/or Ginger
Peppermint and ginger have long been used to help soothe nausea and digestive discomfort.
Some people find comfort from:
- Sipping peppermint or ginger tea
- Inhaling peppermint or ginger essential oils (think inhalers and roller blends)
- Trying ginger chews (The Ginger People have great options!)
Peppermint is especially popular in migraine self-care routines because of its cooling, refreshing aroma. Many people find it helps to reduce nausea and promote deep breathing, which may also help to take the edge off of stomach discomfort. Here's more information about how inhaling essential oils can help with nausea.
Other Comfort Measures
Additional supportive strategies may include:
- Resting in a dark room
- Limiting screen time
- Practicing deep breathing exercises
- Eating small, bland foods if tolerated
The Bottom Line
Nausea is one of the most common symptoms experienced during a migraine attack. While researchers continue to study exactly why migraine attacks affect the digestive system, it's clear that migraine involves much more than head pain alone.
Whether you're dealing with nausea, sensitivity to smells, or other migraine symptoms, staying hydrated, creating a calm environment, and incorporating soothing tools such as peppermint or ginger aromatherapy may help make migraine days more manageable.
