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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffPreventing the actions that trigger your cough headaches — whether that's coughing, sneezing or straining on the toilet — may help reduce the number of headaches you experience. Some preventive measures may include:
- Treating lung infections, such as bronchitis
- Avoiding medications that cause coughing as a side effect
- Getting an annual flu shot
- Using stool softeners to avoid constipation
- Minimizing heavy lifting or bending for long periods
References
- Cutrer FM. Primary cough headache. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 7, 2012.
- Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=4. Accessed March 7, 2012.
- Pascual J. Other primary headaches. Neurologic Clinics. 2009;27:557.
- Pascual J. Primary cough headache. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2005; 9:272.
- Chiari malformation fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chiari/detail_chiari.htm. Accessed March 10, 2012.
- Chen PK, et al. Cough headache: A study of 83 consecutive patients. Cephalalgia. 2009;29:1079.
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