Spinal headaches come about due to a lumbar puncture or an epidural block when a needle that has been placed in the spinal cord results in a leak of spinal fluid thus causing a change in the fluid pressure in this area. Spinal needles are now available in better designs which help to reduce your chances of suffering from spinal headache as a consequence of their use.

The chances of suffering spinal headaches can however increase when the epidural needle accidentally passes through the covering of the spinal cord and cause a leak. Spinal headaches may then appear after five days of the procedure having been performed, and the best way to prevent such a condition is to take plenty of rest in a bed after the procedure has been performed on you.

Caused by Reduction in Cerebral Spinal Fluid Pressure

Spinal headaches will come about when the pressure of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) in the region of the brain as well as spinal cord gets reduced. It often happens that an epidural needle passes through the tough covering of the brain and spinal cord and causes a passage through which the spinal fluid begins to leak out, and if the quantity of such fluid that leaks out is great enough, the patient is bound to suffer from a spinal headache.

The most common symptom of the spinal headache is that the ache is very unique and will be especially severe when the patient sits in an upright position, and it will subside when he or she lies down. You will certainly require getting this condition treated and the first course may be to get enough hydration so that there is an increase in the CSF pressure. Use can also be made of intravenous fluids or drinking of beverages that contain high levels of caffeine which is both instrumental in raising the CSF pressure.

Probably the most widely used treatment for spinal headaches is taking bed rest for a day or two. However, there is not much scientific evidence to support the theory that bed rest is indeed a proper treatment for such a condition. Anesthesiologists may also give you a blood patch in order to seal the leaking fluid and this is done through the insertion of a needle in the exact same spot, or very close to where the anesthetic had been injected.

To prevent spinal headaches, use of a very tiny needle is recommended for spinal tap or spinal anesthesia. So too is it recommended that you drink lots of fluids after the procedure has been performed.