Orthostatic headache

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Orthostatic Headache

Orthostatic headache (pronunciation: or-tho-stat-ic head-ache) is a medical condition characterized by a headache that occurs when a person stands up and improves when they lie down. The term "orthostatic" is derived from the Greek words "orthos" meaning straight or upright, and "statikos" meaning causing to stand.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of an orthostatic headache is a headache that worsens upon standing and improves when lying down. Other symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, and neck pain.

Causes

Orthostatic headaches are often caused by a decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure due to a spinal fluid leak, but can also be caused by other conditions such as Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) or low blood pressure.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of an orthostatic headache typically involves a medical history review and physical examination. Additional tests such as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or a lumbar puncture may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for orthostatic headaches depends on the underlying cause. This may include bed rest, hydration, caffeine, and in some cases, surgical intervention to repair a spinal fluid leak.

See Also

References

External Links

External links

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