Headaches can strike at any time, including when you move your body, such as when bending over or standing up. If you experience headaches specifically when bending over or looking down, it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. What causes these headaches, and how can they be treated? Find out more in this article.

Causes of Headaches When Bending Over

Certain movements can worsen headaches. A headache that appears when you bend over can be surprising, especially if you’re not prone to frequent headaches. Though the headache might disappear quickly, it could signal a more serious health issue. However, most of the time, these headaches are due to minor health conditions.

Here are some common causes of headaches when bending over:

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses, small cavities in the face around the forehead and nose. An infection in the sinus area often leads to headaches. These headaches are typically constant, dull, and uncomfortable, often felt behind the eyes, cheekbones, and beneath the eyes. The pain worsens when you move your head or bend over.

To treat sinusitis:

• Use antibiotics if the infection is bacterial.
• Take pain relievers, decongestants, or antihistamines.
• Drink more fluids or eat soupy foods.
• Apply compresses to the painful areas, such as the forehead, nose, and cheekbones.
• Take a hot bath.
• Use a humidifier.

Dehydration

Dehydration can cause headaches due to fluid imbalance. When you’re dehydrated, pressure increases in the brain, which can narrow blood vessels and lead to headaches.

Dehydration can result from vomiting, diarrhea, or insufficient fluid intake. Drinking 7-8 glasses of water a day, or more depending on your needs, can help alleviate headaches caused by dehydration. 

Coughing

Coughing can also trigger headaches. This type of headache can occur while coughing, but may also appear when bending over, sneezing, laughing, crying, or straining. Cough headaches tend to subside within a few minutes, but in some cases, they can last 1-2 hours.

The pain is usually sharp and stabbing, felt at the back of the head and on both sides. Most of the time, these headaches don’t require special treatment. Resting and staying hydrated can help relieve them.

Migraine 

Migraines can be triggered by various factors, including changes in the weather, certain foods, stress, or lack of sleep. For some people, bending over can also trigger a migraine. Migraines are typically characterized by throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, though both sides can be affected.

Additional symptoms that may accompany migraines include blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and increased sensitivity to light, sound, and smells. Migraine treatments vary from person to person and may include medication, acupuncture, or relaxation techniques.

Positional Headache 

Positional headaches worsen when you sit or stand up and improves when you lie down. This is also called an orthostatic headache. These headaches can appear at the back of the head, but pain may occur in other parts as well.

Positional headaches are rare. The most common cause is a cerebrospinal fluid leak in the brain or spine, or it can be related to cervicogenic headaches from conditions like heart disease or a brain tumor.

While most headaches caused by bending over are not serious, it’s important to see a doctor if your headaches interfere with your daily activities. You can also use the consultation feature on the Ai Care app, available for download on the App Store or Play Store.

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