Headache After Surgery? Here’s How to Treat It

Medically reviewed by Huma Sheikh, MD

Headaches are not uncommon after surgery. Many factors may contribute to this, such as the type of surgery, having a history of headaches, stress, and the type of anesthesia.

Following surgery, headache pain can be stressful, exhausting, and make your recovery more complex. If you experience a postoperative headache, there may be options to help you find relief.

This article explains why headaches occur after surgery, their symptoms and treatment, and how to prevent headaches from occurring.

What Causes Headaches After Surgery?

The stress of surgery may trigger a headache, particularly if you're prone to migraines or tension headaches and get them frequently.

Migraines are a neurological condition triggered by environmental causes, a major one being stress. Tension headaches can occur from muscle tension in the neck and scalp, which can occur if your are stressed or anxious about surgery.

Headaches after surgery can also occur due to anesthesia or may be the result of another factor or complication, such as an infection or nerve damage.

Anesthesia

Headaches can occur after general, regional, or monitored anesthesia:

• General anesthesia puts a patient to sleep for the duration of surgery. It can trigger headaches afterward, such as migraines, due to surgical stress and effects on blood vessels.

• Regional anesthesia numbs a specific body area while the patient remains awake. Regional anesthesia injected into the area that surrounds the spinal cord may lead to a spinal headache if some cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks out during the procedure. Spinal headaches are the most common headaches after anesthesia and they can occur a few days after the procedure.

• Monitored anesthesia, also called sedation, is used for minor procedures, such as scopes or biopsies (samples of tissue). Monitored anesthesia relaxes the patient and sometimes causes them to fall asleep. Side effects of sedation may include headaches, nausea, and drowsiness afterward that tend to resolve quickly.

There are two types of regional anesthesia procedures that most commonly result in a spinal headache:

• Spinal anesthetic: Anesthetic for surgeries that require numbing of the lower half of the body such as in lower abdominal, pelvic, or rectal surgery, or a spinal block for childbirth

• Epidural anesthetic: Regional anesthesia for an epidural during childbirth that can trigger a spinal headache
  

Nerve Injury

It's possible to have a headache following any type of surgery. However, they are more common with surgeries that involve the head or face. This is because the nerves there are sensitive and can be damaged during surgery. Surgery can exacerbate an existing headache disorder or cause a post-traumatic headache.

The most common surgery types that cause headaches include:

• Craniotomy (opening the skull) for brain surgery

• Dental surgery or tooth extraction
  

• Sinus surgery

• Surgery involving head lacerations or head trauma
  

Stress or Anxiety

The American Migraine Foundation reports that stress is the number one trigger in people who experience migraines, accounting for 50%–70% of those who experience them.

Stress, which releases the stress hormone cortisol, may indirectly cause headaches after surgery, because having surgery is a stressful and anxiety-provoking event. Also, health conditions related to the surgery may increase stress levels.

Other Causes

These are other reasons that a headache may occur after surgery:

• Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in, which can trigger migraines or tension headaches. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids after surgery.

• Sleep issues can occur if you're uncomfortable after surgery and may trigger headaches.
  

• Caffeine withdrawal can occur if you had to forgo your typical morning coffee or go without it for hours due to the surgery and recovery. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant and headaches and fatigue are common symptoms when it's abruptly stopped.

• Diet changes or fasting in preparation for surgery may play a role in migraines or tension headaches afterward.

• High blood pressure can occur temporarily after surgery. It may be due to stress or pain and may lead to a headache. Blood pressure may also be high in those with diagnosed high blood pressure if their healthcare provider asked them to stop their medication prior to surgery.

• An infection can occur as a complication of surgery and can lead to headaches and other symptoms, such as a fever or chills. Seek medical care if you have a headache and fever at home afterward.
  

Symptoms

The symptoms you may experience with a post-operative headache depend on the type of headache you have.

The most common type of headache—and one that can occur after surgery—is called a tension headache. Symptoms of a tension headache include:

• Mild or moderate pain

• Slow onset

• Pain on both sides of the head

• Consistent pain but not throbbing

Fortunately, most tension headaches respond well to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications like Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen), or Tylenol (acetaminophen). Talk with your healthcare provider before taking any medications after surgery.

Migraine symptoms might include:

• Moderate or severe pain

• Throbbing pain

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Light sensitivity

• Mood changes

If you are recovering from surgery involving regional anesthesia for an epidural or spinal block and are experiencing a spinal headache, symptoms can include:

• Intense headache pain, especially on the front of the head

• Headache that becomes worse when standing

• Neck stiffness

• Hearing loss

• Sensitivity to light

• Nausea or vomiting
  

How Are Headaches After Surgery Treated?

Headaches following surgery can be frustrating and painful, especially for patients who wish to focus on rehabilitation and recovery. But, fortunately, there are treatments available to help manage headache pain.

Some treatments include:

• Staying hydrated

• Drinking caffeine if it's part of your regular routine

• Rest

• OTC medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen

• Alternative treatments, such as meditation or visualization

If you have a spinal headache that lasts for more than one or two days, your healthcare provider may recommend an epidural blood patch (EBP).

This procedure involves injecting a small amount of the patient's own blood into the space where the CSF leak is. This process can help seal the leak, allowing cerebrospinal pressure to restore to normal and eliminate the headache.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Contact your healthcare provider if your headache is accompanied by other neurological symptoms unrelated to your surgery, such as:

• Weakness

• Loss of balance

• Shortness of breath

• Fever

• Confusion

• Nausea or vomiting

• Personality changes

• Seizures

• Vision loss or changes
  

You should also contact your healthcare provider if your headache persists despite treatment or causes significant disability.

Related: When Should You Worry About a Headache?

Summary

Headaches are not uncommon after surgery and can result from anesthesia, the type of surgery, stress, or other causes. Surgery of the brain, head, or face also may increase the chance of having a headache after surgery. Symptoms and level of severity depend on the type of headache. After surgery, treatment includes drinking plenty of water, caffeine (for those in caffeine withdrawal), rest, and over-the-counter pain medications.

Read the original article on Verywell Health.