Headache After Crying: Why Does It Happen? - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeCauses of a headache after crying

Medically reviewed by Deena Kuruvilla, MD — Written by Jenna Fletcher and Flynn Williams — Updated on January 22, 2024

Why does it happen?
Tension headache
Sinus headache
Migraine
Treatment
When to see a doctor
Prevention
Summary

A headache after crying may be due to increased muscle tension, the release of stress hormones, or other physical processes. Gentle massage, warm or cool packs, and other treatments may help stop a headache after crying.

The body produces tears when the limbic system, which is responsible for emotional arousal, sends a signal to the lacrimal glands. These glands, located just above each eyelid, produce tears.

When a person cries, they may also experience a runny nose and tension in the muscles around their face and head.

This article discusses the types of headaches that people might experience after crying and how to treat or prevent them.

Headache and migraine resources

To discover more evidence-based information and resources for headaches and migraine, visit our dedicated hub.

Why does it happen?

Close up image of a person's face with a tear running down their cheek while crying — Elie Bernager/Getty Images

Scientists do not know the exact link between crying and headaches.

Often when a person is crying, they may be experiencing pain or strong emotions, which put the body under stress. The body releases hormones, such as cortisol, when experiencing stress, which can cause a range of physical and emotional reactions in the body.

Crying also engages several facial muscles, which may cause tension around the face, head, and neck.

These emotional and physical processes may be responsible for triggering several different types of headaches after crying.

Tension headache

One type of headache that a person may experience after crying is a tension headache.

When a person cries, several muscles in their face tense up. They may also feel tension in their jaw, down their neck, and at the back of their head. If a person is crying over a prolonged period, the continuous contractions of these muscles may result in a tension headache.

Tension headaches are the most common primary headache, a headache that is not the result of another condition.

Symptoms of a tension headache may include:

pain on both sides of the head, neck, or face
a pain that feels like a tight vice or band around the head
tender feeling in the affected area which may worsen with touch

Sinus headache

When a person cries, their tears drain into small holes in the corners of the eyelids, known as puncta. If a person produces a lot of tears, this drainage system becomes overwhelmed, and tears overflow down their cheeks. Some of these tears can also drain into their nasal passage.

Within the nasal passage are small, hollow spaces, known as the sinuses, that run along the cheekbones and forehead. When tears drain into the sinuses, they mix with mucus and can cause a runny nose. This buildup of mucus and tears can cause pressure in the sinuses, which may lead to a headache.

A person experiencing a sinus headache may feel pain and pressure across their forehead, cheeks, or around their eyes. These areas may also be tender and painful to touch. The pain and pressure of a sinus headache may worsen with sudden movements or when a person leans forward.

However, it is important to note that sinus headaches are not common and people experience them as a result of sinusitis. Furthermore, there is an overlap between the symptoms of sinus headaches and a migraine, so it may be difficult for a person to know which one they are experiencing.

Migraine

If a person is crying due to feeling overwhelmed and stressed, this may trigger a migraine attack.

Stress is a common trigger for migraines. Researchers found that 80% of people who experience migraines reported stress as one of their common triggers and 57.7% reported fatigue as another.

There are also some common links between the processes involved with crying and those that trigger a migraine attack.

Research has found that crying may activate the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, research shows that migraine attacks may occur due to dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which is part of the autonomic nervous system, indicating a possible connection between the two.

Migraine attacks are a common type of headache, with around 15% of Americans experiencing them. Migraines may involve a throbbing or pounding pain across the head and face. This pain can be moderate to severe and tends to worsen with activity.

It is common for this pain to be on one side but it can occur anywhere across the face, head, and neck. Some people may mistake a migraine for a sinus headache, as the pain can also occur across the nose and behind the eyes and a runny nose may accompany it.

Along with pounding head pain, other symptoms of a migraine may include:

nausea
vomiting
sensitivity to light, sound, or smells

Treatment

There are several ways a person may reduce the discomfort of a headache after crying. A person may consider speaking with a doctor about headache treatments because different types of headaches may respond better to different treatments. People should speak with a doctor before taking any medications to manage their headaches.

A person may wish to try some of the following techniques:

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
taking over-the-counter pain medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen
taking triptans, a prescription medication that aims to treat migraines
resting in a cool, dark, quiet room

In addition to the above treatments, if a person experiencing a crying-induced headache suspects it may be a sinus headache, they may wish to try the following:

using a nasal irrigation device to help decongest the sinuses to relieve sinus pressure — the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a guide on how to safely use one
leaning over a warm bowl of water and inhaling the vapor
staying hydrated

When to see a doctor

Headaches are a common occurrence and can often cause mild discomfort. However, if a person is experiencing frequent headaches that impact their quality of life, they may wish to discuss potential causes and treatments with a doctor.

If a person experiences a headache with the following symptoms, it could be a sign of a more serious condition that requires medical attention:

severe pain that is worse than any headache they have previously experienced
a severe headache with a sudden onset
a high fever
repeated vomiting
problems with their speech, vision, or balance

If a person frequently feels overwhelmed and is crying far more often than usual, this may be a sign that they are experiencing a mental health condition. A doctor can help a person understand their symptoms and find the right support and treatment for them.

Mental health resources

Visit our dedicated hub for more research-backed information and resources on mental health and well-being.

Prevention

If a person is experiencing any of the headaches discussed above frequently, the best prevention is to follow a treatment plan provided by a doctor.

A doctor may prescribe medications for persistent migraine and tension headaches that aim to prevent reoccurring headaches, such as beta-blockers.

If a person is experiencing frequent sinus pain, a doctor may prescribe steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines.

Other ways a person may prevent crying-induced headaches include:

stress management
practicing good posture to reduce tension in the neck and shoulders
maintaining a regular sleep and exercise routine

Summary

Some people experience headaches after crying. Although scientists are not exactly sure why this occurs, facial muscle tension, sinus issues, and stress may play a role.

A person can try different techniques for preventing and treating headaches that occur after crying. However, if the headaches are frequent and impact their daily life, they may wish to see a doctor.

A doctor can discuss a person’s situation with them to help them decide the best course of treatment.

Mental Health
Headache / Migraine
Pain / Anesthetics

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe? (2021).https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe
Kropp, P., et al. (2017). Relaxation techniques and behavioural therapy for the treatment of migraine: Guidelines from the German Migraine and Headache Society [Abstract].https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28364171/#:~:text=Relaxation%20(especially%20progressive%20muscle%20relaxation,treatment%20increase%20the%20positive%20effects
Machiele, R., et al. (2021). Anatomy, head and neck, eye lacrimal gland.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532914/
Moon, H.-J., et al. (2017). Perceived stress in patients with migraine: a case-control studyhttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s10194-017-0780-8
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Medically reviewed by Deena Kuruvilla, MD — Written by Jenna Fletcher and Flynn Williams — Updated on January 22, 2024

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