Cough Headaches
Cold & flu season along with varying indoor and outdoor temperature might embrace you with sniffles and coughs. Some seasonal allergies, colds, and even the flu can cause head pain when coughing. Which can make you wonder “why does my head hurt when I cough? Why does my head aches when I laugh, sing, sneeze, blow my nose, etc?” The answer to this can be due to a cough headache. These headaches can resolve on their own and is nothing to worry about, but sometimes it can represent underlying serious problems that need to be recognized.
What Causes Cough Headaches?
If the head hurts when you cough it is because of increased pressure within the chest & stomach. Some other reasons that can trigger headaches are:
- Coughing due to the common cold, allergies, or infections like influenza
- Sneezing
- Blowing the nose
- Laughing
- Singing
- Having a bowel movement
- Lifting something heavy
- Anything that strains the abdomen
- High intensity or excruciating pain
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, or feeling faint
- Varied duration of the headache
- Location of the headaches change
Home Remedies To Treat Cough Headaches
Cough generally goes away on its own but persistent cough can disrupt our day-to-day activities. Below are the home remedies that can help you reduce the severity of the cough:
Honey
From the old times honey is used as an immunity booster that helps strengthen our immunity. Drinking honey tea can fight against cough and prevents its severity.
Ginger
It is another natural immunity booster that helps in preventing dry cough. Adding ginger to your tea can give you relief from cough.
Stay hydrated
Hydration is very important for fighting any illness. Staying hydrated & drinking warm fluids can prevent sore throat and gives you relief.
Steam
It is one of the easiest and most effective remedies which helps in preventing dry cough, sore throat & headache.
Gargle
Saltwater gargle helps in reliving wet & dry cough. It gives relief to the throat by reducing phlegm and inflammation.
Changing diet
Acid reflux is another cause of cough. Avoiding foods that are causing discomfort may help in getting relief from sore throat.
Probiotics
Eating foods containing can help in reducing the severity of cough & headache. Yogurt is one of the easy sources of probiotics.
Chewing Peppermint
Peppermint leaves are known for healing sore throats. Menthol flavor soothes the sore throat & helps you breathe easily.
Turmeric
It is well known for its medicinal properties. Drinking turmeric milk can soothe your throat &gives you relief.
Medical Treatment for Cough Headaches
Cough headache for a longer period of time could also be due to the accumulation of cough and its dryness in the sinuses. Sometimes the severity can be so much that you would feel extreme heaviness in your head while bending or moving down. In such conditions, the doctor might advise you cough expectorants to help expel the cough outside of your body. A few medicines to stop cough formation can also be recommended.
How to Prevent Cough Headaches?
Cough can be treated by simple home remedies, but if you are having persistent headaches, pain killers can help in relieving the pain. Also taking enough rest can help in relieving the pain. But if you have headaches along with other symptoms, you should consult a doctor to avoid any further complications.
Conclusion
Headaches due to cough are not common but can happen sometimes. But frequent headaches with severe pain can be a sign of a chronic underlying condition so it is advised to consult a neurologist if the pain lasts for 2 hours or more, to avoid serious complications.
