Why Does My Head Hurt Badly When I Cough?

#MYHEADHURTSBADLYWHENI COUGH. Sometimes, the pressure caused by coughing can cause a painful headache. Often, this headache will resolve on its own, and it's nothing to worry about. Other times though, it may be a sign of a more severe problem.

Have you ever coughed so hard that your head hurt? Well, that's known as a cough headache, but it can also occur if you laugh too hard, sneeze, bend over, blow your nose or strain yourself. Doctors categorize cough headaches into primary and secondary coughs.
Read on to learn the difference between the two and treatment options for both.

Primary Cough Headache

When you hear someone say, my head hurts when I cough, they are most likely referring to primary cough headache. This type of headache occurs due to sudden pressure in the abdomen, which triggers a headache. As stated above, laughing, sneezing, bowel movement, and heavy exertion can also cause primary headaches. It's more common in men over 40 years than any other demographic.

Symptoms of primary cough headache include;

•    Headache that comes suddenly after coughing or any other straining activity.
•    Headache that lasts from 1 second to 30 minutes and then goes away on its own.
•    Headache that’s felt on both sides of your head, but it can also occur on one side.
•    Pain that's described as sharp, stabbing or explosive.
•    The pain is mainly on the front part or the side of the head.
•    No other symptoms are associated with this headache.
Treating Primary Cough Headache

Since doctors don't know what causes primary cough headaches, the only solution is to treat the cough or whatever else triggers it.
•    Take over-the-counter medication to treat the flu or the cough.
•    Get plenty of rest.
•    Drink plenty of warm water with lemon.
•    Wash your hands after coughing.
•    Take ibuprofen to take care of the pain.

Secondary Cough Headache

Unfortunately, a secondary cough headache is caused by an underlying brain disorder. The most common condition is Chiari type I malformation, which is a defect in the structure of your skull. The lower part of the brain descends through the base of the skull into the upper spinal canal, applying pressure.

Other causes of secondary cough headaches are;

•    Brain tumor.
•    Obstructive hydrocephalus, or excessive build-up of fluid in the brain
•    Spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid pressure because of an internal leak of the spinal fluid.
•    Cerebral aneurysm.
Symptoms of Secondary Cough Headache
•    Headache that is triggered by coughing, laughing, bowel movement, weight lifting, and sneezing.
•    Headache that lasts longer than 30 minutes.
•    Headache that is mostly felt at the back of your head.
•    Pain that can be described as pressing or dull, but it's sometimes stabbing and explosive.
•    Headache that's accompanied by symptoms such as loss of balance, dizziness, facial and upper limb numbness, and fainting.

How is Secondary Cough Headache Treated?

The treatment for secondary cough headaches depends on the diagnosis. If you have Chiari malformation, surgery to create more space for the cerebellum is necessary. You will also require surgery to treat a brain tumor, aneurysm, and cerebrospinal fluid leak. Still, treating the cough is crucial to alleviate the pressure coughing is causing to the brain.

Diagnosing Cough Headache

If your head hurts when you cough or comes immediately after coughing, it's essential to see an ENT doctor immediately. They will request a CT and MRI of your brain to check for any issues before concluding whether it's a primary or secondary cough headache. Either way, seeking medical attention will help to deal with the pain early on before it gets worse.