Cope With
a Spinal Headache
Procedures that puncture the spinal cord such as an epidural or a spinal tap carry the risk of the puncture leaking cerebral spinal fluid and causing a terrible headache for the patient. This is known as a spinal, or epidural, headache. This can be an excruciating experience, but with treatment it can be gone in 48 hours. Without treatment, however, it could last up to 7 days.
Instructions
1. Lie down. This won't get rid of the headache, but most people with spinal headaches get some relief from lying down.
2. Hydrate. Drink plenty of water. It is important to increase the pressure in the cerebral spinal fluid. It may be possible to do this just by drinking plenty of fluids.
3. Drink something with caffeine. Caffeine constricts blood vessels, which helps boost pressure in the spinal fluid.
4. Rest for 24 to 48 hours. This might be difficult if you just had a baby, but do the best you can to stay off your feet and in bed.
5. Contact your doctor if none of these methods help. A procedure called a blood patch is a final option an anesthesiologist can perform. This involves taking a small amount of blood from the patient, and then injecting it into the hole in the spinal column. The blood clots and stops the leak, providing relief from the headache.
Tags: spinal fluid, cerebral spinal, cerebral spinal fluid, Cope With, Cope With Spinal, relief from
