Cough Headache

A cough headache is a type of headache that occurs in conjunction with coughing. It is also known as a cough-induced headache or benign cough headache.

Causes and Mechanism

The exact cause of cough headaches is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the sudden increase in intracranial pressure that occurs when a person coughs. This increased pressure can cause pain-sensitive structures in the brain and meninges (the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) to become irritated, leading to headache.

Types of Cough Headaches

There are two types of cough headaches: primary and secondary. Primary cough headaches are benign and occur without any underlying condition, while secondary cough headaches are caused by an underlying condition such as a tumor, cyst, or other structural abnormality in the brain.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a cough headache typically include:

• A sudden, severe headache that occurs immediately after coughing, sneezing, or straining
• Pain that is usually bilateral (on both sides of the head) and can be frontal, occipital, or generalized
• Headache pain that can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or photophobia (sensitivity to light)

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a cough headache is typically made based on the patient's medical history and physical examination. Imaging studies such as MRI or CT scans may be ordered to rule out underlying conditions that could be causing the headaches.

Treatment

Treatment for primary cough headaches usually involves avoiding triggers such as coughing, sneezing, or straining, and using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. In some cases, prescription medications such as indomethacin may be used to treat the headaches.

Secondary cough headaches require treatment of the underlying condition that is causing the headaches.

Prognosis

The prognosis for primary cough headaches is generally good, and most people can manage their symptoms with lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter pain relievers. Secondary cough headaches have a variable prognosis depending on the underlying condition that is causing the headaches.