Epidurals are used to numb labor pains, but can cause headaches when the anesthetic punctures the sac containing spinal fluid. Younger individuals and pregnant women are at higher risk. Symptoms include migraines, neck pain, and sensitivity to light. Mild headaches can be treated with pain relievers, but severe cases require a medical procedure known as a patch.
An epidural is a type of anesthesia most commonly used to numb intense labor pains. During this procedure, an anesthetic is injected into the area surrounding the sac that contains spinal cerebrospinal fluid. When this sac, known as the dura, is punctured and begins to leak, some patients may develop one of the side effects of epidurals, a moderate to severe headache. This is known as an epidural headache and can be accompanied by other symptoms. Although these types of headaches often go away in a short amount of time, a severe epidural headache may require another medical procedure known as a band-aid.
An epidural headache typically only occurs in a very small percentage of people who get an epidural. Younger individuals are more generally more susceptible to these headaches, as are women. Pregnant women in particular are at higher risk of getting epidural headaches.
An epidural headache may not always occur if spinal fluid begins to leak, but it is estimated that more than half of patients who experience this develop a headache. In most cases, this usually occurs a few hours to a week after receiving epidural anesthesia. In some rare cases, however, headaches have been reported a few weeks after anesthesia.
The most common symptom of an epidural headache is, of course, a headache. It is typically worse when standing and usually disappears completely as soon as the patient lies down. The severity of epidural headaches can vary. Some sufferers describe the pain as moderate, but most say it is one of the worst headaches they have ever experienced.
In addition to the usual headache, patients may experience other symptoms as well. Along with the pain in the head, there may also be an aching sensation in the neck. Migraine-like symptoms are also common, including nausea, sensitivity to lights or a ringing in the ears, or other hearing problems.
Often, an epidural headache goes away within a week or two. During this time, the patient should remain lying down. Pain can be controlled using over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, and some sufferers find that caffeine can relieve some of the pain.
Severe epidural headaches that don’t resolve on their own typically require a medical procedure commonly called a patch. This is done by drawing blood from a patient, which is then injected into the back, near where the spinal fluid exits. The blood will then begin to clot and act as a plug for the hole where the fluid exits.
Relief from severe headache is sometimes felt almost immediately, but it can take up to 24 hours. A small number of patients may continue to experience epidural headache. If this happens, you may need to repeat the patch procedure.
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