Spinal headaches 

Diagnosis  

When seeking medical attention for a spinal headache, the healthcare provider will inquire about the symptoms of your headache and conduct a physical examination. It’s important to make sure you communicate any recent medical procedures you’ve undergone, particularly spinal taps or spinal anesthesia. In certain situations, the healthcare provider might suggest undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other possible causes of your headache. This imaging procedure employs a combination of magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed cross–sectional images of the brain. 

Treatment  

The treatment for spinal headaches starts conservatively. Your healthcare provider may advise bed rest, increased fluid intake, consumption of caffeine, and the use of oral pain relievers, all while lying down in a flat position. 

If your headache doesn’t improve within 24 hours, your provider might recommend an epidural blood patch. This involves injecting a small amount of your blood into the space over the puncture hole. This often leads to the formation of a clot that seals the hole, restoring normal spinal fluid pressure and relieving the headache. The epidural blood patch is the standard approach for persistent spinal headaches that don’t resolve on their own.