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What is Spinal Headache
Spinal headache is a severe headache that can happen after a person has had a lumbar puncture or epidural anesthesia. During these procedures, a needle is passed between the bones of the spine.
The headache usually starts from a few hours to 1–2 days after that. The headache can last for a few days. In rare cases, it can last for more than a week.
What are the causes?
This condition is caused by a leak of spinal fluid from the spine through the hole that is left by the needle.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- A severe headache.
- A headache that is worse when you sit or stand and better when you lie down.
- Neck pain and stiffness, especially when tilting your chin toward your chest.
- Nausea and vomiting.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is usually diagnosed based on:
- Your medical history.
- Your symptoms.
- A CT scan or MRI of the brain to help rule out other conditions.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition may include:
- Replacing fluids that leaked out through the needle hole. Fluids
may be replaced by:
- Drinking more fluids.
- Getting fluids through an IV line that is inserted into one of your veins.
- Caffeine to help reduce your headache. Your health care provider may recommend drinking caffeinated beverages such as soda, coffee, or tea.
- Having an epidural blood patch procedure. In this procedure, a small amount of your blood is injected into the area of the leak in order to seal it.
- Medicines for pain.
- Resting and lying flat for a few days.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Drink enough fluids to keep your urine pale yellow.
- Drink caffeinated beverages as told by your health care provider.
- Lie down to relieve pain if your pain gets worse when you sit or stand.
- Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You develop nausea and vomiting.
Get help right away if:
- Your pain becomes very severe.
- Your pain cannot be controlled.
- You develop a fever.
- You have a stiff neck.
- You develop problems with your vision.
- You lose control of your bowel or bladder (have incontinence).
- You have trouble walking, you feel weak, or you lose feeling in part of your body.
Summary
- A spinal headache is a severe headache that can happen after a person has had a lumbar puncture or epidural anesthesia.
- This condition is caused by a leak of spinal fluid from the spine through the hole that is left by the needle. The headache can last for a few days. In rare cases, it lasts for more than a week.
- Supportive measures, such as drinking more fluid and taking pain medicines, are usually recommended. In some cases, it may be necessary to inject a small amount of your blood to seal the leak.