Epidural headaches are the type of headache that occurs following having an epidural injection. It’s also known as post-dural-puncture headache (PDPH) or the spinal headache.

Though you might be thinking of childbirth when reading “epidural,” healthcare professionals often administer epidural injections for a variety of reasons, such for anesthesia during surgery as well as treatment of pain, spinal cord stimulation, and many more.

Epidural headaches may be occur as a side effect of epidural injections but they’re typically dangerous. Read on to find more about the unique headaches.


The spinal column of your body is a complex web of veins, nerves, fat, arteries and many more that are that are protected by the spine bones that are located along the spine’s middle.

Multiple layers are present outside of the spinal column in order to protect the spinal cord and nerves coming out of the spine. There are two distinct areas that healthcare professionals can use to administer drugs to produce specific effects such as the subarachnoid and epidural spaces.

If a doctor or healthcare professional wishes to inject medicine in these areas there are a variety of places that the needle has to travel through. They include starting from the close to the skin to the farthest:

  • supraspinous ligament
  • Interspinous ligament
  • ligamentum flavum
  • epidural space
  • dura
  • subarachnoid space

The epidural area is just it: a space which is filled with air. The subarachnoid space is home to fluid, which is also known as cerebrospinal liquid (CSF).

The aim for epidural needles is to locate the epidural area without inserting needles through your dura to the subarachnoid region (basically not going far enough). In this case the needle is punctured by the dura. In certain people this can cause an area of the spine that CSF could get into the spine.

The possibility of experiencing an epidural migraine if the doctor accidentally cuts the dura. The slow leakage of CSF alters the pressures within the spinal column, and the result could cause headaches.



It is not the case that all who suffer an accidental puncture to the dural canal experience headaches. People who do might experience symptoms like:

  • A dull, throbbing headache
  • headache that is worse when standing
  • headaches that get better while lying down

The type of headache you experience can be quite a issue if you’ve just had a baby or required epidural injections to ease pain. The headache is a limitation to your activities as it becomes more severe when you’re in motion or standing.


The most effective solution for headaches caused by epidural could appear strange epidural blood patches (EBP). It involves removing your blood out of a vein and after which it is injected into your epidural space.

Yes, you’re right. The answer to headaches caused by epidurals is to perform an additional epidural, however, injecting blood into the epidural space. The treatment can be performed between

The 61-98 percent range is between 98 and 61 percent.

Effective in treating epidural headaches. Many people who experience an EBP have immediate relief from their symptoms, as per an assessment of 2020.

Doctors don’t know how EBP can help relieve headache caused by the epidural, yet they do know it’s highly efficient. Current theories suggest that it aids in increasing CSF pressure, and also help the puncture heal more quickly.



Most epidural headaches are uncomfortable however they don’t need treatment as they improve over time.

If you are unable to perform your daily tasks due to headaches contact your physician for an epidural blood-patch.

Treatment for epidural (or spinal) treatment of headache at home

If you’re not certain whether you should go to a healthcare or hospital facility to receive an injection of blood, there are some actions that you can follow at home at home to test and check if your headache is likely to improve.

These steps comprise:

If they don’t alleviate your symptoms, then you might require the epidural patch for blood.


The majority of epidural headaches disappear within a week following the epidural injection, or an epidural block.

There is no legal requirement to seek treatment for an epidural migraine as typically headaches will disappear in its own time, as your body repairs the damaged region.


Researchers aren’t able to pinpoint exactly the frequency of epidural headaches however estimates vary between 6 and 36 percent. If a needle that is smaller (25 gauge) is utilized then the risk decreases to less than

1 percent

.

Certain people are at risk that increase their risk of developing epidural headaches. They include:

  • being assigned to a female at the time of birth.
  • A history of previous epidural headaches
  • with a an index of body mass that is low.
  • low cerebrospinal pressure
  • an antenatal history
  • younger age

The amount of CSF removed can play a part in this, too. The chance of suffering from spinal headaches

The number of people who are

If additional CSF fluid needs been removed (20 or thirty milliliters).

The males who are born and those who are overweight have a lower chance to suffer an epidural headache.



A medical professional should go over the benefits and potential risks of epidural injections together with you. They should also discuss the alternatives in lieu of epidural injections if they are any.

The long-term, serious and permanent complications that can result from epidural injections are uncommon, but may occur. Examples include:

However, these adverse effects are extremely uncommon. It is important to let your doctor know of any concerns you may have regarding receiving an epidural. they’ll be able to talk more details with you.


Epidural headaches are an result of epidural injections, and epidural anesthesia.

However, not all who undergo epidurals suffer from headaches. There are remedies readily available. It is important to weigh the risk of an epidural against the advantages, including treatment for pain.

A Guide for Epidural headaches, as well as recovery

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