Experiencing Nausea and Frequent Headaches
I've been dealing with severe headaches almost daily, and today I unexpectedly started vomiting. This year, my headaches have intensified. They often feel like a numbness in my head or sometimes give me the sensation of insufficient blood flow. It has become a part of my daily life, and I've learned to cope with it. However, everything changed today when I woke up feeling sick to my stomach. I got out of bed, took a shower, and before I knew it, I was throwing up—mostly just saliva, but it happened around eight times today. 😢 I'm genuinely concerned about my health, especially since I haven't mentioned this issue to my family due to our financial struggles. They’re unaware of how bad it has gotten. 😢😢 Just a bit about me: I’m 15 years old, stand 152 cm tall, and weigh around 52-54 kg (not sure if this info is needed for Reddit).
Answers (1)
8/8/2025, 6:20:47 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're experiencing some distressing symptoms with your headaches and the recent vomiting. It's understandable to be concerned, especially since it has affected your daily life. Let's break this down and focus on what you can do right now.
Main Points:
- Daily headaches combined with nausea and vomiting can indicate an underlying issue that requires attention.
- It's important to prioritize your health and address these symptoms effectively.
Explanation: The combination of daily headaches and vomiting can have several causes. Since you mentioned that your headaches feel severe and sometimes numbness or a sensation of insufficient blood flow, it's vital to consider that these might be migraine-related or perhaps due to another condition, such as stress or dehydration. The vomiting, especially if it continues, may be a reaction to the headache or could indicate something more serious.
Next Steps:
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Stay Hydrated: Due to vomiting, it's essential to drink fluids. Try small sips of water, clear broth, or an electrolyte drink to prevent dehydration. Avoid anything acidic or heavy.
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Rest: Make sure you get plenty of rest. Sleep can help your body recover, especially if you're not feeling well.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of when headaches occur, their intensity, and any factors that worsen or improve them. This can help identify triggers over time.
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Limit Triggers: Identify if specific foods, activities, or stressors seem to trigger your headaches. Try to manage or limit exposure to these.
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Seek Support: While it's understandable to be hesitant due to financial concerns, it's important to talk to someone about your symptoms. You might consider discussing this with a trusted adult or family member. There are often community resources or clinics available that can help.
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Consider Over-the-counter Options: If you’re not allergic or have any contraindications, non-prescription pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can temporarily relieve headache pain, but consult a trusted adult about this first.
If your vomiting persists, you experience severe headache pain that doesn't respond to medication, or if new symptoms develop like vision changes or confusion, consider seeking medical attention more urgently. Your health is crucial, and there may be options available for you to get support.
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7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options
# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - **Portocaval shunt size: 9.9 mm** (blood bypassing the liver into the inferior vena cava) - **Arteriovenous shunt size: 4.4 mm** - **Portal vein size: 6.1 mm** (patent) - **Three nodular cystic lesions** located in the perivascular area, with largest measuring 11.6×20.7 mm, enhancing during the venous phase - Liver features a heterogeneous architecture, exhibiting irregular enhancement - Gallbladder appears elongated and slightly enlarged - Other abdominal organs exhibit normal findings **RADIOLOGIST’S ASSESSMENT:** "Congenital portosystemic shunt indicative of Abernethy malformation; less likely arteriovenous malformation (AVM); cannot dismiss the possibility of localized liver lesions." **ADVICE:** Seek consultations with an abdominal and vascular surgeon. ### Blood Tests (August 1, 2025): **Complete Blood Count:** - WBC: 10.44 × 10⁹/L (normal range) - **RBC: 2.1 × 10¹²/L** (LOW - indicating severe anemia) - **Hemoglobin: 69 g/L** (CRITICALLY LOW; normal is 117-166) - Platelets: 403 × 10⁹/L (elevated) **Biochemistry Analysis:** - 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WBC: 5.8 × 10⁹/L (SHOWS IMPROVEMENT) - **RBC: 2.93 × 10¹²/L** (IMPROVED but still low) - **Hemoglobin: 72 g/L** (SHOWS IMPROVEMENT but still low) - Platelets: 223 × 10⁹/L (BACK TO NORMAL) - Neutrophils: 30.0% - Lymphocytes: 64.8% - Monocytes: 4.6% ### Biochemistry (January 28, 2026): - Total protein level: 67 g/L (slightly deficient) - Creatinine: 20.7 μmol/L - **Total Bilirubin: 242 μmol/L** (STILL HIGH - unchanged) - **Direct Bilirubin: 142 μmol/L** (VERY HIGH) - **ALT: 50 IU/mL** (DRASTICALLY LOWER from >1000!) --- ## OVERVIEW OF PROGRESS OVER 6 MONTHS | Parameter | August 2025 | January 2026 | Change | |------------------|-------------|---------------|--------------------------| | **Hemoglobin** | 69 g/L | 72 g/L | ↗ Slight improvement | | **RBC** | 2.1 | 2.93 | ↗ Improved | | **ALT** | >1000 | 50 | ✓✓ MAJOR IMPROVEMENT | | **Bilirubin** | 245 | 242 | → Unchanged (still elevated) | | **Portal vein** | 6.1 mm | 3.9 mm (US) | ↗ Decreased | | **Platelets** | 403 | 223 | ↘ Normalized | | **Shunt size** | 9.9 mm | 9.9 mm | → No Change | --- ## CURRENT SITUATION (February 2026 - 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Are there concerns regarding the shunt size (9.9 mm)?** 7. **The measurement of the portal vein has shown improvement from 6.1 mm to 3.9 mm; should this be perceived as a positive sign or a reason for concern?** 8. **Are there special directives (diet modifications, medications) we should consider while awaiting the procedure?** 9. **Post-procedure, how long should we expect it might take for:** - Normalization of bilirubin levels? - Return of stool color to normal? - Resolution of jaundice? - Regression of hemangiomas? 10. **Can you recommend any specialized centers for pediatric Abernethy malformation treatments? 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