After a stroke, a patient may experience physical symptoms ranging in severity, and headache may be one such example. Perhaps because of the experience of stroke, headaches make people worried. Why do headaches occur after a stroke? And what should you do if you have a headache? We will share more information about this below for readers’ reference.

Why do I have headaches after a stroke?

A patient’s stroke or changes in blood flow to the brain can cause brain swelling and brain damage, which can lead to headaches. Patients who have had a stroke due to cerebral hemorrhage are more likely to have headache symptoms. Among them, post-stroke headaches can be divided into the following three conditions:

1. Taking Medications: Taking too many painkillers can cause headaches. In addition, taking stroke medications, including those used to thin the blood or lower blood pressure, may also cause headaches.
   
2. Tension Headaches: Tension headaches are very common and occur continuously on both sides of the head. They are usually easier to relieve.
   
3. Migraine: During a migraine attack, patients experience a severe headache, often accompanied by nausea and fatigue, and doctors will prescribe stronger medications to treat the migraine.

What to do if you have a headache after a stroke?

If you have headache symptoms after a stroke, please inform your doctor so that the doctor can further confirm whether the headache is caused by the stroke or other major diseases, so that more accurate treatment can be provided. Therefore, generally speaking, you don’t need to worry too much about headaches, because doctors will clarify the cause of headaches and adopt different treatment methods according to different types of headaches. Please refer to the following common treatments:

1. Prescription medications: Can help relieve pain and inflammation.
   
2. Get more rest: lie down in a comfortable bed, don’t think too much, and let your brain rest fully.
   
3. Cooperate with the treatment plan designed by the doctor: Doctors will have different methods for patients with different conditions, so please trust the doctor and cooperate with the treatment plan.
   
4. Healthy diet: Eat more fruits and vegetables
   
5. Get rid of bad habits: for example: smoking or drinking too much alcohol.