ICD10 Code for Fatigue: Why It Matters with Headache & Nausea

Fatigue, Headache, Nausea – What’s the Connection?

Find out why these symptoms often appear together and how to treat them holistically.

If you’re experiencing fatigue, headaches, and nausea, you’re not alone. These three symptoms often show up together—and they can seriously disrupt daily life. But what do they really mean? And what’s the best way to treat them?

In naturopathic and functional medicine, we look at these symptoms not as isolated issues, but as clues that the body is under stress and needs support.

What Is the ICD10 Code for Fatigue?

In medical records and insurance billing, fatigue is often documented using ICD10 code R53.83, which refers to “Other Fatigue.” While this code helps classify the symptom for administrative purposes, it doesn’t offer insight into the cause of the fatigue.

That’s where holistic medicine steps in—to ask why the fatigue is happening and what else might be going on in the body at the same time.

Fatigue: Your Body’s Early Warning System

Fatigue is often the first sign that something is off. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Pay attention.”

But here’s the challenge: Fatigue can come from many sources, which is why it’s often difficult to pin down. Some of the most common root causes include:

Root causes to investigate include:

• Thyroid dysfunction or subclinical hypothyroidism

• Adrenal fatigue (low cortisol output)

• Hormonal imbalances (low sex hormones)

• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (iron, B12, magnesium, D)

• Blood sugar instability

• Poor diet: processed foods, seed oils, sugar, alcohol

• Toxin exposure and chronic inflammation

You can read more about these root causes in other blog posts I’ve written on fatigue and energy loss.

Nausea: A Digestive or Toxic Clue

Nausea is more than an upset stomach—it’s often a sign that something is off in the digestive system or liver, especially when it shows up with fatigue.

Possible causes include:

• Gut inflammation or dysbiosis

• Food sensitivities or toxins

• Dehydration (very common and often overlooked)

• Liver stagnation

• Medications irritating the stomach

First step: Hydration.
Drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Add trace minerals or a pinch of sea salt to improve absorption.

Fixing gut health is a powerful lever. When digestion is sluggish, poorly digested food and toxins can leak into the bloodstream, which contributes to fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

When nausea comes from gut inflammation, fixing digestion often leads to improved energy and fewer headaches as well.

Headaches: A Toxic or Hormonal Signal

Headaches aren’t just “in your head.” In holistic medicine, they’re often signs of:

• Dehydration

• Hormone imbalances (especially cyclical headaches in women)

• Gut toxicity and inflammation

• Blood sugar crashes

• Food sensitivities or chemicals in processed foods

• Alcohol, caffeine, or medication overuse

Headaches frequently accompany both fatigue and nausea when the blood is toxic—either from poor digestion, liver overload, or systemic inflammation.

Why These Symptoms Cluster Together

These symptoms are often connected through a common thread:

• Dehydration leads to fatigue and headaches.

• Gut dysfunction leads to poor nutrient absorption, fatigue, and nausea.

• Toxins in the bloodstream cause headaches, fatigue, and sometimes nausea.

• Hormone imbalances can disrupt blood flow, mood, energy, and cause cyclical headaches.

What Holistic Treatment Looks Like

At Wellsource Naturopathic, we don’t just treat symptoms—we investigate root causes using:

• Comprehensive labs (not just basic bloodwork)

• Nutrient testing

• Adrenal cortisol testing

• Stool testing for gut health

• Toxin screening (heavy metals, mold, glyphosate)

Once we identify the imbalances, treatment might include:

• Personalized nutrition plans

• Targeted supplementation

• Detox support for liver and gut

• Stress and adrenal recovery protocols

When to Seek Immediate Care

See a healthcare provider immediately if:

• You experience a sudden, severe headache

• You’re vomiting persistently

• You have vision changes or neurological symptoms

• Your fatigue is progressively worsening or debilitating

You Deserve Real Answers

If you’ve been told “everything looks normal” but you don’t feel normal, it’s time for a deeper look. The ICD10 code for fatigue (R53.83) may help identify a symptom on paper—but real healing comes from understanding why it’s happening and how to rebalance the body as a whole.

Ready to get started?
Book a consultation to uncover the cause of your fatigue, headache, and nausea—and take the first step toward feeling like yourself again.