Spinal Headaches

What is a spinal headache?

A spinal headache is a severe headache caused by a leak of cerebrospinal fluid, the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The loss of fluid leads to lower pressure in the skull, which causes the brain to sag. The tissues and nerves around the brain stretch, resulting in a headache. A spinal tap, a procedure used to collect a sample of cerebrospinal fluid or deliver certain medicines, is the most common cause for spinal headaches.

What are the symptoms of a spinal headache?

The main symptom of a spinal headache is a severe, throbbing pain that worsens when sitting or standing. The headache typically starts in the front or back of the head and can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a few days.

If the spinal headache is caused by a spinal tap, it will usually develop one to two days after the procedure. Other symptoms include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Neck pain or stiffness
• Sensitivity to light

What causes a spinal headache?

A spinal headache occurs when fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord leaks out of the surrounding tissues. The loss of fluid leads to lower pressure in the skull which causes the brain to sag. The tissues and nerves around the brain stretch, resulting in a headache.

Most often, these leaks are caused by the small hole created during a spinal tap procedure. Spinal headaches can also be caused by injuries or trauma. If the cause of the leak is unknown, your child may need an MRI to diagnose a spinal headache.

How is a spinal headache treated?

Most cases of spinal headache get better on their own without any treatment. Symptoms will usually go away within a few days. Your care team at Arkansas Children’s is experienced in treating spinal headache and will work with you to develop the best treatment plan for your child. To help with the headache, your child’s doctor may recommend lying down, drinking lots of fluids, drinking caffeinated beverages and taking over-the-counter pain medication.If symptoms do not go away, your child’s doctor may recommend an epidural blood patch. In this procedure, a small amount of blood is placed over the hole where the leak occurred. The blood will clot and seal the hole.

In some rare cases, your child may need surgery to repair the leak.