Expert: B. Todd Troost, MD - 7/14/2003

Question
G'day,

I have been experiencing what is referred to as "cough headaches," whereby upon coughing sneezing or sudden physical exertion, I experience a period of intense and "head splitting" pain lasting for a few seconds only until it subsides. I may also go for a couple of days without any pain when I cough, etc.

An MRI scan has revealed no abnormalities within the head or skull interior but showed minor sinus mucosal disease which is about right because for most of my life I have suffered from rhinitis.

There is a suggestion that there is a link between these cough headaches and my sinuses in that the belief is that I may have some form of bacteria or virus that has established itself in my sinuses for all these months that have passed by.

Can you please provide any further information on my condition or perhaps clarify whether the possibility of a link between my sisnus and cough headache problems could exist? More importantly though, would be a prognosis on my "cough headaches."

I Thank you for your time.

PASmaroo


Answer
Dear PASmaroo:

My information on cough headache is located at:

http://imigraine.net/other/cough.html

If the MRI is normal most structural disease is eliminated and likely it is a form of exertional headache.

I personally doubt that sinus disease has anything to do with your headache and believe that one of the preventive treatments described at:

www.imigraine.net/newrx may be beneficial in stopping them.

Best regards,