What is a spinal headache?
A spinal headache may occur after either a spinal or an epidural anesthetic. It usually begins at least 24 hours after the procedure and is classically a throbbing headache, made much worse by sitting and standing, and dramatically relieved by lying flat.If you have symptoms like these after a spinal or epidural anesthetic, contact our department for an evaluation. When a spinal anesthetic is done, a fine needle punctures the membrane (dura) which holds the spinal fluid. Medication is then injected into the spinal fluid and a spinal anesthetic develops. In 1 out of every 100 patients, continued leakage of spinal fluid from the small puncture causes a severe headache.Similarly, when a diagnostic spinal tap is done by a neurologist or other physician, a spinal headache can also occur.In fact, most of the spinal headaches we treat are referred by other physicians after diagnostic spinal taps. When an epidural anesthetic is done, a larger needle is placed but the dura is not punctured. If
