Spinal headaches are caused by leakage of spinal fluid through a puncture hole in the tough membrane (dura mater) that surrounds the spinal cord. This leakage decreases the pressure exerted by the spinal fluid on the brain and spinal cord, which leads to a headache.
How do you treat a spinal headache?
To manage most spinal headaches, doctors recommend:
- Lying down.
- Drinking lots of fluids, including drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, and some soft drinks)
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen.
What does an epidural headache feel like?
It can be felt at the front or the back of the head. It is worse when sitting or standing and it gets better when lying down flat. There may also be neck pain, sickness and a dislike of bright lights. Some patients describe it as like a very bad migraine, which is made worse when sitting or standing up.
