Why Does My Head Hurt When I Cough?

Coughing is to be expected with the common cold, flu, and even allergies. But when a simple cough starts to make your head hurt, you may start to worry about more serious health concerns.

For anyone wondering, “Why does my head hurt when I cough?”, we’re here to help. Keep reading for an overview of cough headaches, what causes them, and methods to achieve relief.

What Are the Causes of Head Pain When Coughing?

Usually, the cause of head pain when coughing is a temporary pressure increase in the brain. When you cough, it elevates the pressure in your abdomen and chest, which may raise the pressure in your brain. This is why you may experience a cough headache after other activities that quickly increase intra-abdominal pressure, like sneezing, laughing, crying, lifting weights, and straining to pass a bowel movement.¹

Other factors that can contribute to headaches when coughing include:

Forceful or aggressive coughing

Head pain may happen if you cough too forcefully, as this can cause a more dramatic increase in chest pressure. This makes it more common among people who experience an aggressive cough from conditions like bronchitis or asthma.^2,3

Chest congestion

Cough headaches may occur alongside conditions that cause chest congestion, like the flu, colds, and allergies, as you may feel the urge to cough harder to expel mucus.

Headaches from viral infections

Certain viral infections have both coughing and headache as possible symptoms, including the flu and COVID-19.⁴ As your body works to fight off these infections, you may experience a headache and coughing simultaneously.

How Can I Relieve Head Pain Caused by Coughing?

You can relieve cough-related head pain by treating the cough to avoid sudden spikes in abdominal pressure, either with home care or medical treatments. If you’re dealing with a cough from a respiratory infection, over-the-counter cough medicine and home remedies can help temporarily alleviate the headache while your body recovers.

For severe or persistent head pain from coughing, consult your doctor for guidance. You may need professional care to treat the root cause.

Home Remedies for Relief

Home remedies can soothe your throat, thin excess mucus, and help you recover from viral infections that cause coughing.

Hydration

Drinking enough water is always critical to your health, not just when you’re feeling sick. But if you’re struggling with a cough and a headache, fluids are especially important. Staying hydrated helps thin excess mucus, keeps your airways moist, and soothes a scratchy throat. Drinking plenty of water also helps prevent headaches from dehydration.⁵

Inhaling steam

Inhaling steam from a bath, shower, or bowl of boiling water helps hydrate your airways and thin excess mucus. It can help with various cold and flu symptoms, including coughing and congestion.⁶

Using an air humidifier

If your cough is triggered by a dry, scratchy throat, using a humidifier may help. It will hydrate the air in your home, preventing further throat irritation that could lead to coughing. This tip is particularly helpful during the cold winter months and for people living in dry climates.

Drinking warm beverages

Sipping tea, broth, or warm water with lemon is one of the most common ways to clear chest congestion from home. The warm liquid helps break up mucus, making it easier to expel through coughing. It can also calm an irritated throat, which may curb your cough reflex.⁷

Honey

Honey can assuage a cough by coating your throat, which reduces the urge to cough. It also carries natural anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits that may support your body’s recovery process.⁸ Stir a teaspoon or two into warm tea, or have it directly from a spoon.

Cough drops

Cough drops are formulated with ingredients to soothe and coat the throat, including honey, menthol, and glycerin. This can help calm your cough reflex, preventing the resulting head pain.

Medical Treatments and When to Consult a Doctor

If home remedies aren’t enough to calm the headache from coughing, you can consider medical treatments.

Over-the-counter medicine is one option. Cough suppressants, like dextromethorphan, block the reflex to cough and therefore help you avoid cough-related pains. (for example, Delsym® 12 Hour Orange or Grape Flavored Cough Liquid)⁹ Pain medicine, like acetaminophen, can temporarily alleviate mild to moderate pain by increasing your pain threshold. ¹⁰

If both home remedies and over-the-counter medicine fall short of resolving your headache, it’s time to consult a doctor. You could be dealing with pain from an underlying condition that requires professional medical care. It’s also crucial to contact your doctor if your headache from coughing is very severe or triggers headaches lasting for two hours or more.

Ultimately, occasional head pain when you cough isn’t usually a cause for concern—you’re likely experiencing the effects of temporary pressure changes in the brain. However, if the pain becomes excruciating or comes with other concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek professional medical guidance.

What Are the Causes of Head Pain When Coughing?

How Can I Relieve Head Pain Caused by Coughing?

Home Remedies for Relief

Medical Treatments and When to Consult a Doctor

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