What causes a sharp headache when coughing or sneezing?
1. Introduction A sharp headache when coughing or sneezing is driven by a transient, rapid spike in intra-abdominal and intrathoracic pressure that is transferred directly to the cerebral blood vessels and cerebrospinal fluid. This brief surge in intracranial pressure physically stretches the sensitive meninges and pain receptors surrounding the brain, resulting in a sudden, piercing … Read more