Secondary cough headache – A secondary cough headache is due to an underlying condition, such as a brain disorder. A condition called Chiari type I malformation is the most common cause of secondary cough headaches. A Chiari malformation is a defect in the structure of the skull.
Miscellaneous posterior fossa lesions, which is a type of brain tumor,Obstructive hydrocephalus, or an excess buildup of fluid in the brain.Spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure due to an internal leak of spinal fluid.
Other activities may also bring on a secondary cough headache when one of the above conditions exists. Examples include laughing, weightlifting, or changes in head or body posture. According to a 2013 review, primary cough headaches most often affect males and those more than 40 years of age.
pain on both sides of the head but can be on one sidepain that feels sharp or stabbingpain beginning suddenly, during or after coughingdull ache continuing after the initial pain has passed
A secondary cough headache can last anywhere between a few seconds to several weeks, Symptoms of a secondary cough headache include:
high intensity of painvarying location of headaches varying duration of headachesstabbing pain or dull achefeeling faintdizzinessfeeling unbalanced
A secondary headache can also have other triggers besides coughing. People may treat primary cough headaches at home. Identifying and treating the cause of the cough may help to reduce or eliminate the headaches. Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, such as ibuprofen, may help to relieve the pain of a headache.
getting plenty of resttaking OTC cough medicationdrinking warm beverages, such as water with honey and lemondrinking plenty of fluidsgetting a yearly flu jab if someone is at risk of fluwashing hands with soap and water after coughing
Drinking hot beverages, such as honey and lemon, can help to soothe the throat, making a person more comfortable if they have a cold or flu. If people cannot treat the cause of coughing at home, they may need to see their doctor. A doctor may prescribe medication to treat a cough that a cold or other underlying condition, such as bronchitis, causes.
anti-inflammatory drugs, such as indomethacinbeta-blockersacetazolamide, to removes excess fluid and salt from the bodyergotamines for migraine headaches
These medications can help to reduce inflammation and coughing or relieve pressure and fluid buildup in the skull. If someone has a secondary cough headache, they will need treatment for the underlying cause. A doctor might then request a CT or MRI scan to check for any issues with the brain and spinal cord. People with any disorder in the skull or spinal cord may require surgery to:
remove a brain tumorrestore normal flow of cerebrospinal fluidrelieve pressure in the skull from excess fluidpatch holes that are causing spinal fluid to leak
Surgery may help to treat the condition, reduce symptoms, and prevent any further progression of the disorder. A primary cough headache is benign and may resolve over time by itself. If people have any severe or long lasting symptoms, they can see their doctor. People should see their doctor if they experience:
faintness, dizziness, or loss of balance with headacheextreme pain, or sudden, severe headachea headache that lasts for longer than 2 hoursfrequent headaches due to coughingsymptoms, such as fever, chills, or unexplained weight lossheadache that alters intensity when changing posture or position, such as lying down to standing
A doctor can carry out a physical examination and any necessary tests to find out whether a headache from coughing is due to a primary or secondary cause. Once a doctor has identified the type and cause of the headache, they will work out a treatment plan.
- Although uncommon, people may sometimes experience a headache from coughing.
- This is often due to extra pressure in the abdomen that can increase pressure in the head.
- A primary cough headache is due only to coughing, or another activity, such as sneezing or straining.
- Primary cough headaches are benign and may resolve by themselves.
A secondary cough headache is more serious and due to a disorder with the brain, such as a tumor or skull defect. People may relieve a primary cough headache through reducing or eliminating coughing. OTC cough or pain medication may help, as well as drinking plenty of fluids and resting.
Contents
Why do I feel pressure in my head when I cough?
The force needed to cough comes from thoracic, abdominal and pelvic muscles and can create pressure that radiates to your head. In some people, this pressure can cause a cough headache. Straining these muscles may also occur during the following activities: Bending over.
Do cough headaches go away?
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Robinson, MD on August 22, 2021 Ever notice that if you cough a little too hard, your head hurts for a bit? That’s a cough headache. It can also happen when you laugh, sing, sneeze, poop, bend over, blow your nose, or otherwise strain yourself.
It’s often harmless and goes away quite quickly on its own, but it’s a good idea to tell your doctor because there could be a more serious cause. There are two types of cough headache. Each has a different cause: Primary cough headache: Doctors know that the strain from a cough, sneeze, or laugh causes the headache,
But they aren’t sure why it hurts. Secondary cough headache: There’s an illness or condition to blame. The most common one is a defect called Chiari type 1 in which the shape of your skull forces the lower, rear part of your brain (it’s called the cerebellum) down and into your spinal canal.
Other defects in the shape of the skullA weak blood vessel that balloons out to push on tissue around the brain (cerebral aneurysm )A leak or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid that builds pressure around the brainA brain tumor
Secondary cough headaches make up nearly half of these types of headaches. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. A primary cough headache:
Typically lasts a few seconds or minutes (rarely up to 2 hours)Causes sharp, stabbing pain Usually causes pain on both sides of your head.Starts suddenly, just after you cough, sneeze, or otherwise strainDoesn’t cause nausea, watery eyes, runny nose, or sensitivity to light and sound, the way some headaches do
This type of headache is more common after 40 and affects men more than women. A secondary cough headache:
Will have symptoms that vary, depending on the causeTypically has more – and more serious – symptomsMay last for hours or weeks instead of just secondsWill hurt at the lower, back part of the skull if cause by a Chiari formationMay cause dizziness, facial numbness, blurry vision, balance problems, and fainting if it comes from a Chiari formation
Secondary cough headaches are more common before you turn 40. The doctor will ask about your symptoms. They’ll want to know what your headaches feel like and how long they last. A stabbing pain on both sides of your head that goes away in a few seconds could mean a primary headache.
A dull ache on one side of the head that lasts for several days might suggest a secondary type. They may also take special pictures of your brain and skull with a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. These can show problems in the shape of your skull, brain, or other parts of your head that could cause head pain when you cough.
Only after your doctor rules out secondary causes can you be sure that your cough headaches are the more harmless primary type. Primary cough headache: Once they’ve ruled out secondary causes, your doctor may prescribe medication to ease inflammation linked to primary cough headache pain.
- The drug of choice is indomethacin,
- Doctors don’t know exactly why it works, but it may relieve pressure around your brain and skull.
- Your doctor might prescribe medications made to treat other illness off-label for a primary cough headache.
- These include acetazolamide, propranolol, methysergide, naproxen, ergonovine, and others.
In rare cases, your doctor might do a procedure called a spinal tap to remove some spinal fluid and ease the pressure that could be causing your headache. Secondary cough headache : Treatment depends in large part on the cause:
Chiari formation: Medication like indomethacin can ease your pain. Your doctor might suggest surgery to change the shape and relieve pressure. Cerebral aneurysm: You might have a procedure to seal off the aneurysm, or a flow diverter to deprive it of blood. Brain tumors: Treatment is usually surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy,
That’s why it’s so important for your doctor to figure out the cause of your cough headache before starting treatment.
Can phlegm cause head pressure?
What Causes Head Congestion? – Your head feels congested when mucus builds up, causing blood vessels in your nose to become inflamed and resulting in swollen tissues and head pressure. The cause for this extra mucus varies, but below are some common reasons you might be feeling stuffy.
Why do I feel pressure in my head when I cough or sneeze?
What causes primary cough headache? – The exact cause of primary cough headache is not well understood. One theory is that coughing raises the pressure in the chest and abdomen, which in turn, increases the pressure in the brain. Primary cough headache is harmless and is not the result of other head or brain conditions.
Is it normal to cough so hard your head hurts?
Cough headaches are a type of head pain triggered by coughing and other types of straining. This may include sneezing, blowing your nose, laughing, crying, singing, bending over or having a bowel movement. Cough headaches are fairly uncommon. There are two types: primary cough headaches and secondary cough headaches.
- Primary cough headaches are usually harmless, are caused only by coughing and get better quickly without treatment.
- A primary cough headache is diagnosed only when a provider has ruled out possible causes other than coughing.
- A secondary cough headache may be triggered by a cough, but it is caused by problems with the brain or structures near the brain and spine.
Secondary cough headaches can be more serious and may require treatment with surgery. Anyone who has a cough headache for the first time should see their health care provider. The provider can determine whether a cough or something else caused the pain.
Begin suddenly with and just after coughing or other types of straining Typically last a few seconds to a few minutes — some can last up to two hours Cause sharp, stabbing, splitting or “bursting” pain Usually affect both sides of your head and may be worse in the back of your head May be followed by a dull, aching pain for hours
Secondary cough headaches often present with only a cough headache, but you may also experience:
Longer lasting headaches Dizziness Unsteadiness Fainting Ringing in the ears or hearing loss Blurred vision or double vision Tremor
A cough headache only happens right after coughing. Other headache pain is not a cough headache if you already had a headache when you coughed, or if you have a headache condition such as migraine. For example, people with migraine might find that their headaches get worse when they cough.
Why does coughing get worse at night?
The Science Behind a Cough That’s Worse at Night – Why does a cough get worse at night? There are a number of reasons why it does — or at least why it seems to. Gravity The No.1 factor that makes your cough worse at night is simple: gravity. Mitchell Blass, MD, a physician with Georgia Infectious Diseases in Atlanta, says, “When we lie down, mucus automatically begins to pool.” The best way to counteract this gravitational pull is elevation.
Sleep with a pillow propping you up a little,” Dr. Blass suggests. “It will help keep the mucus from collecting in the back of the throat.” Additionally, some people have a nighttime cough because of acid reflux. When people are supine, it is easy for the acid from their stomach to come up and subsequently get into their airways, which would cause a cough.
To prevent this, people should avoid eating within two hours of bedtime, avoid foods that could cause reflux (such as chocolate, coffee, spicy and fatty foods, full fat dairy, and wine), and keep the head of their bed elevated. Some people do not have any symptoms of heartburn but nevertheless can have acid reflux and cough.
Your Sleep Environment Dry air can aggravate an already irritated nose and throat, making your nighttime cough worse. To relieve a dry air cough, you can try a humidifier to put moisture back into the air and make it easier to breathe, but be sure to take proper care of the unit. “Humidifiers are not always safe,” warns Blass.
“If the water you put in it isn’t sterile, you run the risk of cycling the germs back into the air or breeding other diseases.” The last thing people with a cold or flu want is to experience complications, says Blass. “Bacterial infections can set in.
Why does my head feel heavy and pressure?
Head pressure can result from headaches or ear infections, but it can also signal a more severe condition, such as a concussion or tumor. It may occur with other symptoms like dizziness. A number of conditions can cause a sensation of tightness, weight, or pressure in the head.
These sensations can range in intensity from mild to severe. Most conditions that result in head pressure aren’t cause for alarm. Common ones include tension headaches, migraine, conditions that affect the sinuses, and ear infections. Abnormal or severe head pressure is sometimes a sign of a serious medical condition, such as a brain tumor or aneurysm.
However, these problems are rare. Read on to learn more about types of pressure and what they might mean. Do you feel pressure all over your head? Is the pain restricted to your forehead, temples, or a single side? The location of your pain can help your doctor identify potential causes.
How long should head pressure last?
Tension headaches – Tension headaches are the most common type of headache. They’re what we think of as normal, ‘everyday’ headaches. They feel like a constant ache that affects both sides of the head, as though a tight band is stretched around it. Normally, tension headaches are not severe enough to prevent you doing everyday activities.
When is head pressure serious?
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if you have any of these symptoms and: –
they’ve come on quickly, such as a sudden severe headache, change in your vision, confusion or weaknessyou’ve recently had a head injuryyou have a high temperature, or you feel generally unwell
Can pressure in head be serious?
Key points about increased intracranial pressure (ICP) –
ICP is a dangerous condition. It is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention. Increased intracranial pressure from bleeding in the brain, a tumor, stroke, aneurysm, high blood pressure, brain infection, etc. can cause a headache and other symptoms. Treatment includes relieving the brain of the increased pressure. ICP has serious complications including death.
How long does a cough last?
A cough is a reflex action to clear your airways of mucus and irritants such as dust or smoke. It’s rarely a sign of anything serious. Most coughs clear up within 3 weeks and don’t require any treatment. A dry cough means it’s tickly and doesn’t produce any phlegm (thick mucus). A chesty cough means phlegm is produced to help clear your airways.
How do you know if your cough is bad?
Types of Cough – There are many different types of coughs with distinct characteristics that can help your doctor identify what underlying issue may be causing it. If a cough brings up phlegm or mucus it is called a productive cough and could suggest pneumonia, bronchitis or the flu.
- The color of the mucus can signal a more serious problem.
- You should see a doctor if your cough brings up yellowish-green phlegm or blood.
- A cough that doesn’t produce mucus is called a dry or nonproductive cough.
- Acute cough is the least serious type of cough.
- It only lasts for three weeks or less and will most likely clear up on its own.
This type of cough will not need medical attention. However, if the cough is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, headache, drowsiness or shortness of breath it should be brought to a doctor’s attention. Coughs that make certain sounds, like whooping, wheezing or barking, may also signal a bigger problem.
What should I do if my head feels heavy?
Brain tumor – It’s important to know that brain tumors are exceedingly rare. A heavy head may be one of the symptoms of a brain tumor because of the pressure that the tumor creates in the skull. There will likely be other symptoms, such as:
frequent headachesseizuresnausea and vomitingvision or hearing problemsweakness of the arms, legs, or face musclesbehavioral and cognitive issues, like poor memory or an inability to concentrate
Treatment depends on the underlying condition. You should tell your doctor about any other symptoms you’re experiencing along with head heaviness. Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also do some blood tests to check for other conditions, like anemia or a thyroid disorder.
getting enough sleep eating a well-balanced diet drinking enough water
Ice, stretching, massage, and over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications can help treat neck strain. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to treat certain conditions. For example:
preventive medications for migrainessupplements to treat iron-deficiency anemia or other vitamin deficienciesantihistamines and decongestants to treat allergies or sinus infectionsthyroid hormone medicationsanti-anxiety medicationsdrugs to treat vertigo
Of course, whether or not your doctor chooses to prescribe a medication will depend on your diagnosis. Most of the time, a heavy feeling in the head won’t be the only symptom you have. Along with a head that feels heavier than normal, you should see your doctor right away if you experience any of these other symptoms:
a headache that worsens or doesn’t improve with use of OTC drugsnausea and vomiting if not clearly related to a hangover or flurecurring episodes of faintingchest paina sudden, severe headachean abrupt change in speech, vision, or hearingshortness of breathhigh fevera very stiff neck or muscle pain in the neck that doesn’t resolve in a weekseizuresdifficulty walkingunequal pupil sizeabnormal eye movementloss of consciousnessanxiety that interferes with daily life suicidal thoughts
If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area. If you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline, or call 911. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.
Why do I feel pressure in my head when I cough or sneeze?
What causes primary cough headache? – The exact cause of primary cough headache is not well understood. One theory is that coughing raises the pressure in the chest and abdomen, which in turn, increases the pressure in the brain. Primary cough headache is harmless and is not the result of other head or brain conditions.
Why does my head hurt briefly when I cough?
Primary Cough Headaches – Primary cough headaches are the most common type and are typically temporary and do not cause any lasting issues. Whether you have a cold, are sneezing due to allergies, or even laughing too hard, the pressure that builds up while you cough can end up causing a headache. An increase in pressure on the head can cause uncomfortable headaches and pains.
Why does my head hurt when I cough NHS?
Symptoms of intracranial hypertension (IH) can include: a constant throbbing headache which may be worse in the morning, or when coughing or straining; it may improve when standing up.
