According to Dr. Ravi Shankiji Kesari, a general doctor at Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bengaluru (India), a headache when coughing is a non -rare phenomenon and may be due to many different reasons. Here are some main causes that can explain this situation.
High intracranial pressure increases
One of the main causes of headaches when coughing is the phenomenon of increased intracranial pressure. When coughing, we perform a strong breathing movement, increasing the pressure in the first compartment. This increase in pressure can affect sensitive sensation structures inside the brain, leading to a headache. In particular, coughing often makes the pain feel more intense and can last.
Sinusitis
Sinuses are air compartments located in the skull, playing the role of adjusting the temperature and humidity of the inhaled air, while increasing the sound of the voice. However, when sinusitis, that is, when the sinuses are inflamed and blocked, this condition can enhance the feeling of headache, especially when coughing. When coughing, the pressure in the sinus changes due to the strong air flow is pushed out, which can worsen a headache.
Muscle tension and headache
Another factor that causes a headache is the tension of the muscles when coughing strongly. The muscles at the head, neck and upper body must be active to create air thrust out. This muscle stress can lead to fatigue and aches in these areas, causing headaches. The prolonged or intense cough will make muscle tension become more serious, thereby increasing the level of headache.
Dehydration
When the body is dehydrated, the amount of blood circulation to the brain may decrease. This makes the nerves feel pain in the brain become more sensitive. Therefore, when you cough, the shaking in your head can cause a more pronounced headache because the body is dehydrated.
Note
Dr. Ravi Shankiji Kesari said that the headache when coughing is the result of a combination of many factors, including increasing intracranial pressure, sinusitis, muscle tensions and dehydration. Although the headache when coughing is sometimes harmless, if the pain becomes serious, prolonged or accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and fever, you should seek medical care to eliminate potential health problems.
