Cough Headaches – Diagnosis and Treatment
Treatment
Doctors use a mix of assessments and tests to check for cough headaches and find out the cause.
They may begin with a physical and neurological examination to look for any signs of brain or nerve problems, such as weakness, numbness, fainting, or other changes.
Checking for symptoms like fever, vomiting, or nausea helps determine if an infection or other medical issue exists.
To look deeper, imaging tools help identify underlying issues:
| Test | What It Checks For |
|---|---|
| MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Brain tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leak, or signs of trauma |
| CT Scan | Bleeding, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and other structural problems |
If symptoms suggest a more serious cause, such as a thunderclap headache or possible infection, the doctor may order a lumbar puncture (spinal tap). This test collects cerebrospinal fluid to help find infections or bleeding.
Doctors rule out secondary headaches, which can result from brain tumors, infections, or injury, before diagnosing a primary cough headache.
Treatment
Handling Headaches Triggered by Coughing
Doctors often prescribe daily medicine when someone gets headaches from coughing but no other illness is causing it.
Common choices for these cases include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling, beta blockers to help relax blood vessels, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors to lower spinal fluid pressure.
Sometimes, other treatments—such as anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or additional nerve-calming medications—are used if the main options do not provide enough relief.
A short list of possible medicines:
| Medication | Main Use |
|---|---|
| Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) | Reduce swelling and pain |
| Beta blocker | Lower blood pressure |
| Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor | Lower spinal fluid pressure |
| Anticonvulsant | Prevent headache |
| Tricyclic antidepressant | Nerve pain relief |
| Nerve-calming anticonvulsant | Nerve pain control |
Patients take these daily as preventive treatment (sometimes called prophylactic treatment) to stop headaches before they begin.
Managing Headaches Caused by Other Health Problems
If a cough headache results from a deeper health problem, like a brain tumor or spinal fluid issue, medicine does not help much. In these cases, doctors focus on treating the main problem, which may involve surgery.
An epidural blood patch may be applied if the cause is a leak of spinal fluid. Cough medications do not typically help with secondary cough headaches.
Getting Ready for Your Visit
Steps to Take Before Seeing Your Provider
To make the most out of the appointment, organize information ahead of time. Bring a list of all symptoms, even ones that do not seem related to coughing or headaches. This helps the doctor see the whole picture.
Write down important medical details such as past illnesses, surgeries, recent accidents, major life changes, and any family history of headache or neurological disorders.
These facts may point to certain types, like primary headache disorders, or help with headache classification.
Prepare a complete list of medications, vitamins, and supplements currently being used. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter items. Certain pain medications or their interactions can affect headaches.
If possible, bring someone with you to the appointment. A family member or close friend can help remember details and support you in discussing your symptoms and treatment options.
Prepare questions in advance to help guide the conversation. Here are some ideas:
| Example Questions | Purpose |
|---|---|
| What may be causing my headaches? | Understand the likely diagnosis. |
| What tests will I need? | Discuss imaging tests. |
| Are there alternative treatments? | Learn about pain medication choices. |
| Should I see a specialist? | Ask if referral to neurology is needed. |
| How do I manage multiple health issues? | Coordinate with co-existing conditions. |
Questions You Might Be Asked
The provider will likely ask many questions to help classify the headache and rule out secondary causes. Be ready to answer about when the headaches started, how often they occur, and any changes in pattern or severity.
Some common questions could include:
- When did the cough headaches start?
- Do they occur with each cough or only sometimes?
- Have you had this problem before?
- Do you suffer from other headaches, such as migraines?
- Does anyone in your family have a history of similar headaches?
Details about what improves or worsens the headache will help guide treatment decisions. Mention if over-the-counter pain medication has helped or made things worse.
The provider may discuss the need for further testing, such as imaging tests like MRI or CT scans.
These tests help rule out other causes and form part of standard protocol if headaches are new, severe, or associated with warning signs.
