Spinal headaches

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Introduction Signs and symptoms Causes Risk factors

When to seek medical advice Screening and diagnosis Treatment

Introduction

Spinal headaches occur in up to 30 percent of the people who undergo a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) or spinal anesthesia. Both these procedures require a puncture in the tough membrane that surrounds the spinal cord.

During a spinal tap, a sample of cerebrospinal fluid is withdrawn from your spinal canal. During spinal anesthesia, medication is injected into your spinal canal to numb the nerves in the lower half of your body. If spinal fluid leaks through the tiny puncture site, you may develop a spinal headache.

Most spinal headaches — also known as post-lumbar puncture headaches — resolve on their own with no treatment. However, spinal headaches lasting 24 hours or more may be treated.

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Signs and symptoms