Spinal headaches are also known as post-lumbar puncture headaches and are likely to affect more women than men. As per research, these headaches occur to almost 30% of individuals who have either undergone a spinal tap or lumbar puncture or have been given spinal anesthesia. These medical courses of action require the puncturing of the tough membrane that surrounds the spinal cord.

In a spinal tap, a tester of the cerebrospinal fluid is taken from the spinal canal, whereas in spinal anesthesia medication is injected in the spine to numb the lower half of the boy. Any leakage through the puncture can result in the development of spinal headache.

Symptoms of spinal headaches:

The signs and symptoms of spinal headache include dizziness, nausea, blurring of vision, increased pressure towards the back of the neck, stiffness of the neck, increased sensitivity to light, pain in the arm, ringing in the ears and severe pain in the head and neck region. The intensity of pain of spinal headache ranges from mild to debilitating and some patients cannot even sit or stand when the headache occurs.

Risk Factors:

Spinal headaches are more common among women and individuals who have a medical history of experiencing headaches. Most of these headaches occur between the age of 20 and 40.

Treatment of Spinal Headaches:

Usually a spinal headache subsides on it’s own after 24 hours, but in case it prolongs for a longer period of time, you will require medication. Some treatments include:

Rest: In case you suffer from a spinal headache, it is best for you to take rest and lie down. In case, the headache still persists you can talk to your doctor.

Medications: Certain analgesics such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are given to relieve the pain.

Caffeine: Drinking strongly brewed coffee or tea can be helpful for some patients.

Epidural patch: This means that your doctor will inject a minute amount of your blood in the puncture from which there is a leakage. This tends to seal the hole and relieves the headache. This form of treatment is effective in about 90% of the cases of spinal headache.

Caffeine Injection: Injecting caffeine intravenously can help relieve spinal headaches.