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What Causes Headaches After Coughing Or Sneezing?
Question: When I cough/sneeze
, or encounter a rough road in the car, I get a bad headache in the back of my head.
, or encounter a rough road in the car, I get a bad headache in the back of my head.
Brief Answer:
Imaging should be scheduled.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Headache precipitated by cough, sneeze or other maneuvers which may increase pressure in the abdomen are rare but known.
Most of the cases are benign, without an identifiable cause, called primary cough headaches. They are not associated with any brain lesion, do not represent any risk.
However in about 40% of the cases there may be an underlying cause. Most common one is a malformation, called Chiari malformation, where part of your brain descends in the spinal canal. Other less common causes may include some tumors, hydrocephalus (build up of fluid in the brain) or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Occipital neuralgia is unlikely.
Usually the primary headaches are of shorter duration, of less than 30 minutes while secondary ones may last longer. However it is not possible to determine for sure based only on the characteristics of the pain whether it's primary or not. For that purpose a brain MRI is generally advised to be scheduled.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Imaging should be scheduled.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Headache precipitated by cough, sneeze or other maneuvers which may increase pressure in the abdomen are rare but known.
Most of the cases are benign, without an identifiable cause, called primary cough headaches. They are not associated with any brain lesion, do not represent any risk.
However in about 40% of the cases there may be an underlying cause. Most common one is a malformation, called Chiari malformation, where part of your brain descends in the spinal canal. Other less common causes may include some tumors, hydrocephalus (build up of fluid in the brain) or leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Occipital neuralgia is unlikely.
Usually the primary headaches are of shorter duration, of less than 30 minutes while secondary ones may last longer. However it is not possible to determine for sure based only on the characteristics of the pain whether it's primary or not. For that purpose a brain MRI is generally advised to be scheduled.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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