Developing a headache after crying is a common and often uncomfortable experience. Many people encounter this. Several physiological mechanisms contribute to why tears can lead to throbbing in the head.
Physical Strain and Tear Production
Crying involves physical actions that contribute to headache development. When a person cries, muscles in the face, scalp, jaw, and neck often tense up. Sustained contraction of these muscles, especially during prolonged crying, can result in a tension-type headache, characterized by pain on both sides of the head or a feeling of tightness.
Beyond muscle tension, crying involves significant tear production and drainage. Tears drain into small holes in the corners of the eyelids, then into the nasal passage. When excessive tears are produced, this drainage system can become overwhelmed, leading to tears mixing with mucus and accumulating in the sinuses. This buildup can create pressure and inflammation in the sinus cavities, causing pain and pressure across the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes, mimicking a sinus headache. The pressure from crying can produce similar sensations.
Prolonged crying can also lead to eye strain, which may manifest as pain behind the eyes. This occurs when eye muscles work excessively, leading to discomfort that can contribute to a broader headache. The continuous strain on these structures can add to the overall head pain experienced after crying.
The Body’s Stress Response
Emotional distress often precedes or accompanies crying, activating the body’s stress response, which plays a significant role in headache formation. When under stress, the body releases hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These stress hormones prepare the body for a “fight or flight” response, leading to widespread muscle tension throughout the body. This heightened muscle tension, particularly in the head and neck, can trigger or worsen headaches.
The sympathetic nervous system, activated during stress, also impacts blood vessels. Stress hormones can cause changes in blood vessel diameter, which can activate pain pathways and trigger headaches, especially in individuals prone to migraines. Migraines are often associated with dysregulation of the sympathetic nervous system, and stress is a well-known migraine trigger.
Emotional states and stress can also lower an individual’s pain threshold, making the physical discomfort associated with crying more pronounced. When the brain is already sensitive due to emotional distress, physical sensations like muscle tension and sinus pressure from crying can be perceived as more intense pain. This increased sensitivity means even mild physical triggers can result in a more severe headache.
Contributing Factors
Several other factors can exacerbate headaches experienced after crying. Dehydration is a common contributing element, as crying expends fluids from the body. Even mild dehydration can trigger or intensify headaches, often described as a dull ache that worsens with head movement. The brain and body require proper fluid balance to function optimally, and insufficient hydration can cause tissues to shrink, pulling away from the skull and leading to pain.
Individuals prone to headaches, such as those with chronic tension headaches or migraines, may experience more severe or frequent crying-induced headaches. Crying, especially when associated with emotional distress, can act as a significant trigger for these pre-existing conditions.
The duration and intensity of crying also influence the likelihood and severity of a subsequent headache. Prolonged and intense crying sessions naturally lead to greater physical strain, more significant tear production, and a more sustained stress response, all of which amplify the mechanisms that contribute to head pain.