Why headaches after crying

Most people who experience a headache from crying experience a tension headache. Tension headaches occur when muscles in the head tighten.

They can also cause some pain and discomfort in the neck and shoulders, as these muscles may tighten as well. Tension headaches do not typically cause additional symptoms. For example, a person does not become sensitive to light or noise.

The eyes, nose, ears, and throat are all connected internally. When tears start to come out of the eyes, they also tend to back up into the sinuses. Tears are the reason people experience runny noses when they cry, as some of the tears are entering their nasal passage. If tears and mucus build up, they can cause pressure. A sinus headache occurs as a result of this pressure.

People with allergies may be used to sinus headaches, as they are a common side effect of having too much mucus in the sinuses. However, people with other conditions may also experience sinus headaches more frequently.

Most people who think they have a sinus headache actually have a migraine headache. This is because migraine headaches can cause congestion and swelling of the sinuses. True sinus headaches are rare. Migraine headaches are intense, pounding headaches. These headaches often occur on only one side of the head.

The stress that the body releases, which causes crying, can also trigger a migraine headache to occur in a person prone to them. Interestingly, people who cry from nonemotional reasons, such as from cutting onions , do not experience migraine headaches. Only emotional crying can trigger them. It is often possible to treat crying-induced headaches at home with a combination of home remedies and medications.

People who experience migraine, tension, or sinus headaches chronically should speak to their doctor and follow their recommended treatment plan. Most of the time, a headache that occurs as a result of emotional crying is not a major cause for concern.

Siddiqui added, "Some researchers have suggested reducing tension can reduce the stress hormones and can assist with eliminating the headaches. Try a cold compress on your eyes or on the back of your neck.

As always, if you have any concerns — like if your headache isn't going away or it happens often — you should reach out to your primary care provider for help. Crying is natural and often therapeutic, and you shouldn't have to suffer after-effects like annoying headaches afterward.

Take care of yourself and remember to give yourself extra grace when you've been crying or sad. What's the scientific reason crying gives you a headache? You May Also Like. Healthy Living. Now You Know. Latest Fitness. It causes pulsating and pounding pain mostly in one part of the head. In some cases, it also causes nausea, difficulty speaking, sensitivity to light and sound, and vomiting. However, sinus headache occurs when your sinus passages present behind your eyes, cheeks, nose, and forehead get inflamed and make more mucus than normal leading to blockage of channels that drain them.

The accumulation of pressure inside the sinuses due to mucus is what causes a headache. It is accompanied by other symptoms including fever, runny nose, feeling of fullness in ears, swelling in the face, etc. Though headaches go away on their own in most of the cases, you can try a few things when the condition is otherwise. You can rest in a dark and calm room.