Many emotions, such as sadness, grief, stress, and even happiness, can naturally cause crying. After sobbing, some people have a headache.
When the limbic system, which is in charge of emotional arousal, sends a message to the lacrimal glands, the body releases tears.
Tears are produced by glands that are immediately above each eyelid. In addition to a runny nose and tense facial and head muscles when crying, a person may also suffer these other symptoms.
The question that Why does Crying give you a Headache is covered in this article, along with information on how to cure or avoid them.
Reasons Why Crying give you a Headache
The precise relationship between sobbing and headaches is unknown to scientists. People who cry frequently have powerful emotions or are suffering discomfort, both of which put their bodies under stress.
When under stress, the body releases hormones like cortisol, which can have a variety of negative physical and psychological effects.
Additionally, crying activates various facial muscles, which could lead to stress in the face, neck, and head.
Many different kinds of headaches may be brought on by these mental and physical processes after crying.
1. Tension headache
Tension headaches are one sort of headache that someone may have after weeping. Numerous facial muscles stiffen up when someone is crying.
Additionally, they could experience tension in their neck, back of the head, and jaw. The constant tightening of these muscles might cause a tension headache if sobbing lasts for a long time.
The most prevalent primary headache, or headache that is not brought on by another ailment, is a tension headache.
Tension headache signs and symptoms are;
- a sore feeling in the affected area that may get worse with touch
- discomfort on both sides of the head, neck, or face
- a pain that feels like a tight vice or band around the head
2. Sinus headache
When a person sobs, their tears flow into tiny openings in the corners of their eyelids, known as puncta. When a person cries frequently, their tear drainage system becomes overburdened, causing tears to spill down their cheeks.
Additionally, some of these tears may enter their nasal canal. The sinuses are tiny, hollow chambers within the nasal tube that extend along the cheekbones and forehead.
Runny noses can result from the mixing of tears and mucus that enter the sinuses when they drain. The pressure in the sinuses brought on by this accumulation of mucus and tears may result in a headache.
A person with a sinus headache could experience pain and pressure across their forehead, on their cheekbones, or in the area behind their eyes.
These places could also be sensitive to touch and uncomfortable. Sudden movements or leaning forwards might make sinus headache pain and pressure worse.
On the other hand, it’s crucial to remember that sinus headaches are uncommon and that sinusitis can cause them.
Furthermore, it may be challenging for someone to distinguish between a sinus headache and a migraine because their symptoms are similar.
3. Migraine
A migraine attack might start if someone is crying out of stress and anxiety. Migraines are frequently brought on by stress.
According to research, 80% of those who suffer from migraines listed stress as one of their typical causes and 57.7% listed exhaustion as another.
Additionally, there are some similarities between the mechanisms that cause crying and migraine attacks. The autonomic nervous system may be activated by crying, according to research.
Moreover, study indicates a potential relationship between the two, suggesting that migraine attacks may be brought on by dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, a component of the autonomic nervous system.
Around 15% of Americans experience migraine attacks, which are a prevalent type of headache. A throbbing or pounding ache over the face and head may be a symptom of a migraine.
This discomfort can range from mild to severe, and it usually gets worse as you move around. This discomfort typically only affects one side, however it can strike anywhere on the face, head, or neck.
Since a migraine can sometimes cause pain behind the eyes and across the nose, some people might mistake it for a sinus headache.
The following signs and symptoms of a migraine may also be present:
- a feeling of nausea
- sensitivity to light, sound, or scents
- vomiting
Treatment
There are many strategies to lessen the pain of a headache that follows crying. Because various headache kinds may respond better to various therapies, a person may think about talking to a doctor about headache treatments.
Before taking any drugs to treat their headaches, patients should consult with a doctor. One might want to attempt a few of the following methods:
- Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen.
- Taking triptans, a prescription drug that aims to treat migraines.
- Resting in a cool, dark, quiet room.
- Gently massaging the head and neck muscles to reduce tension.
- Placing a warm or cool pack on the affected area to help relieve pressure and lessen muscle tension.
If a person has a headache brought on by crying and thinks it might be a sinus headache, they may also want to try the following remedies;
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes a tutorial on how to safely use one.
- Using a nasal irrigation device to assist decongest the sinuses to reduce sinus pressure
- hunching over a dish of warm water and breathing in the vapour
- maintaining hydration
Prevention
The easiest way to prevent any of the headaches mentioned above is to adhere to a doctor’s recommended treatment schedule.
In order to treat chronic migraine and tension headaches and stop them from coming back, a doctor may prescribe beta-blockers.
A physician might recommend antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays if a patient complains of persistent sinus pain.
Other techniques to avoid headaches brought on by weeping are:
- Practice proper posture to relieve neck and shoulder discomfort and manage stress.
- Maintaining a consistent sleep and exercise schedule
When to see a doctor
Common headaches might occasionally result in minor discomfort. But if a person has recurrent headaches that affect their quality of life, they might want to talk to a doctor about the possible reasons and remedies.
If a person has a headache along with any of the symptoms listed below , it may indicate a more serious condition that needs medical attention:
- extreme discomfort that is worse than any headache they have ever had
- extreme pain that appears out of nowhere
- a high fever
- persistent vomiting
- issues with their speech, vision, or balance
A mental health disorder may be present if a person usually feels overwhelmed and cries more frequently than normal.
A doctor can assist a patient in comprehending their symptoms and locating the best resources and medical care.
Summary
After sobbing, some people have headaches. Facial muscle tension, sinus problems, and stress may be factors, though scientists are unsure of the specific cause.
Headaches that follow crying can be avoided and treated using a variety of methods. They might want to contact a doctor if the headaches are persistent and interfere with their daily lives.
A doctor can consult with a patient to discuss their condition and assist in determining the best course of action.
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FAQ’s
What happens if you cry too much?
Even if you’re not feeling emotional, uncontrollable laughter or sobbing may be an indication of a disease called pseudobulbar affect (PBA), which could indicate a neurologic disorder or traumatic brain injury.
How long do headaches last after crying?
However, many children who cry for any reason end up with moderate headaches that can last anywhere from a few minutes to a day or more. Even many grownups have come across this occurrence.
Can you get sick from crying too much?
Internal connections can be found between our eyes, nose, ears, and throat. Because our tear ducts empty into the sinus passages, prolonged sobbing can also have an impact on them.