Causes and risk factors
Cough headaches are triggered by coughing, sneezing, laughing, crying, singing etc. it is of two types – primary or secondary. In primary cough headache, the cause is unknown. It was previously known as benign cough headache. It is believed that increased intracranial pressure due to coughing can cause headache. Secondary cough headache is caused due to some underlying disease condition such as cranial deformities like chiari malformation, brain deformities, disorders of cerebral blood vessels, brain tumour, miscellaneous posterior fossa pathology.
Clinical presentation
The primary cough headache occurs suddenly on coughing or straining on both sides of head. It is triggered by sudden increase in intra abdominal pressure. It is throbbing or stabbing type of pain. It last for few minutes. Secondary cough headache is a chronic pain. Along with headache, dizziness, fatigue, unsteadiness, fainting may also be experienced by the patient.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and Clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. CT scan, MRI can be done to rule out other possible causes of headache. An angiogram or lumbar puncture may be done for further evaluation of headache if necessary.
Treatment
Treatment depends upon the underlying cause for secondary cough headache. Conservative treatment is required for the headache. Medications like analgesics or NSAIDs may help in relieving cough headache.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating cough headache. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating cough headache.
Facts and figures
The lifetime prevalence of cough headache is 1%. In literature, there are 400 reported cases of primary cough headaches.
