Different Reasons For Why Does My Head Hurt When I Cough

We all experience coughing issues once in a while. For some people, seasonal changes can lead to coughing. For others, it occurs when they consume a cold item. Sometimes, allergy problems can also trigger a cough issue.

However, cough issues can also happen because of a number of other serious reasons. During such cases, it might present different kinds of unusual signs. So here, we will be learning the various reasons for why does my head hurt when i cough.

Going through the different cough reasons where you might feel head pain while coughing is very important. It will give you the capacity to identify a serious cough problem before it worsens.

In the case of cough and cold problems, a lot of people adopt a slow approach thinking that conditions like these are very subtle. However, it would be a better option to analyze the symptoms thoroughly and take necessary measures wherever necessary.

Reasons for why does my head hurt when i cough

Different problems can lead to a headache when you cough. To understand these reasons properly, the doctors have placed the cough headaches into two different categories. Each category of cough headache is produced by different reasons. So, let us understand the root cause of cough headaches in each of these different categories.

1. Primary Cough Headache

The primary cough headache takes place because of the sudden pressure buildup in the abdominal area. This pressure accumulation occurs when a person coughs. This can trigger a headache by enhancing the pressure in the head area.

Though the primary cough headaches can cause significant pain and discomfort, they have no connection to the brain or any other complex health problems. Other than coughing, there are few other activities which can produce a very similar headache problem. These include the activities listed below:

• Sneezing
• Laughing
• Heavy Exertion
• Bowel Movements
• Straining The Abdomen

2. Secondary Cough Headache

This is a more serious type of cough headache, and in this case, the culprit is mostly a brain disorder. As per reports, the prominent cause of cough headaches in this case is the Chiari type I malformation.

In the case of the Chiari type I malformation, the person experiences a defect in the skull structure. Here, the lower portion of the brain comes down through the base of the skull into the upper part of the spinal cord.

Some other reasons for the development of secondary cough headaches include:

• Miscellaneous posterior fossa lesions: This is a specific brain tumor category.

• Obstructive hydrocephalus: In this case, an excess amount of fluid accumulates in the person’s brain.

• Spontaneous low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure: This condition takes place because of an internal spinal fluid leakage.

Managing cough headaches via home remedies

We saw why does my head hurt when i cough. For understanding the reasons behind the cough headaches, we have divided this headache into two different subtypes. Now, we will see the different home remedy types that can be put to use for controlling the cough headaches.

When speaking about managing cough headaches with home remedies, we are talking about primary cough headaches. These remedies will not provide much relief in the case of secondary cough headaches. So, let’s go through the home remedies that are applicable in the case of primary cough headache type.

• First of all, the patients with primary cough headache type must try to get good rest. Taking proper rest will help in relieving the pressure buildup to a big extent.

• They can try taking different kinds of warm fluids. Adding lemon juice and honey to warm water and consuming this water will give the patients good relief. The patients can also try taking different kinds of herbal teas.

• If needed, different OTC cough medications can be taken for the task of managing headaches induced by the cough. By minimizing the frequency and intensity of the cough, you will be able to control the primary cough headache as well.

• Along with that, the patients should also keep their body hydrated by taking good quantities of fluids.

• Clearing the sinuses is also a great method that can be employed whenever you are experiencing the primary cough headache type. This will give the patients the ability to get rid of the pressure accumulation in the head.

Different medical treatments for cough headaches

Now that we know why does my head hurt when i cough, let us understand some of the medical treatments that can be used for curing cough headaches.

Sometimes, the patients will not be able to control the primary cough headaches via home remedies. In that case, they will have to go to the doctor to find a good solution to the problem. The doctor will carry out a thorough examination and then prescribe the necessary medications for managing the cough, as well as the cough headaches. The medications that are administered for the task of controlling primary cough headache type include:

• Anti-inflammatory Drugs like Indomethacin
• Acetazolamide
• Beta-blockers
• Ergotamines

These medications are greatly helpful for managing the different symptoms associated with the primary cough headache.

However, if a person is experiencing a secondary cough headache type, then the root cause has to be identified and managed. For this task, the doctor will ask you to do a CT or MRI scan. If the scan results reveal any kind of skull or spinal cord disorder, then a surgical procedure might be required. In most cases, a surgery is performed for-

• Restoring the normal flow of CSF
• Removing a brain tumor
• Patching holes that might be causing CSF leakage
• Reducing pressure in the skull

Conclusion

We have learned all the important reasons for why does my head hurt when i cough. As we can see, the cough headaches are of two main categories- Primary Cough Headaches and Secondary Cough Headaches. Each category has its own specific causes and we have discussed it thoroughly. Apart from that, we have also listed the different home remedies and medical approaches that are used for the task of controlling both the Primary and Secondary Cough Headaches. If the headache is not getting better with home remedies and OTC medicines, you should always seek proper medical help to understand the headache’s primary reason.