How Does A Spinal Headache Occur?Some people suffer from a spinal headache as the result of a surgical procedure involving the spine. These headaches are not common, as thanks to advancements in surgical procedures and technology are now classed as quite rare. This is a short term headache, and there are several procedures that may be used to alleviate the symptoms of these headaches.Procedures such as epidurals, which are performed on pregnant women during labor and delivery, or lumbar punctures, involve the spine. These procedures entail the use of needles into the fluid around the spinal cord, and it is this type of procedure that can trigger a spinal headache. The leakage of spinal fluid is what can ultimately results in these headaches. Those suffering with this type of headache tend to find that the pain is far worse when in an upright position, and that it eases when in a horizontal position. These headaches may occur up to five days following the procedure, and your doctor or consultant will advise on the best course of action to alleviate the pain. Often, the best treatment for this type of headache is as simple as bed rest for several days. However, there are other steps that may be taken, and which will be determined by the doctor or consultant. This can include sealing the leak with a blood patch, intravenous fluids, and increased hydration to replace lost fluids. These procedures can alleviate and cut the risk of associated headaches. The risk of a spinal headache increases in the event that the needle being used for the spinal procedure passes through the covering of the spinal cord. This enables fluid to leak and create increased pressure around the spinal and brain area, which can then result in these headaches. However, today’s procedures entail far more precision, which counteracts this risk to some degree.
Copyright
|
