CSF (or cerebral spinal fluid) leaks normally occur after a direct injury to the dura. Something like spine surgery or spinal injection (epidurals or nerve blocks). I can tell you I have never seen a dural leak outside of a spinal intervention.
Coughing spells cause pressure change called a Valsalva maneuver. This increases pressure in the brain and spinal cord. Headaches after coughing spells would make me think more of small vessel irritation or even small ruptures in the cranium.
Epidural blood patches can reduce inflammation and not necessarily “cure” a spinal leak unless the leak was really present.
A true spinal leak should cause a headache that would increase with sitting up and be relieved with lying down.
Dr. Corenman
PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.