What causes head pain with a cough, and when should it be medically assessed in Europe?

Head pain and cough explained: cough headache, sinus pressure, viral infection, intracranial pressure changes, and red flag symptoms.

In this episode, we outline why coughing can trigger or worsen headache and how doctors distinguish benign causes from serious conditions under EU medical guidance.

You’ll learn:

• What a primary cough headache is (brief pain triggered by coughing or straining)

• How sinus infection can cause facial and head pressure

• The role of viral respiratory infections

• Why increased intracranial pressure can worsen with coughing

• The difference between primary and secondary headache

• Red flag symptoms such as sudden severe headache, neurological weakness, vision changes, persistent vomiting, or headache lasting beyond the cough

• Situations where urgent imaging or in-person neurological evaluation is required

We explain how doctors assess headache onset, duration, cough severity, fever, neck stiffness, blood pressure, and neurological signs during an online consultation in the EU. Most cough-related headaches are benign, but persistent or severe symptoms require further investigation.

This episode reflects the clinical standards used by Mobi Doctor, where respiratory and neurological consultations are reviewed by a registered physician in line with EU medical guidance.

Read the full guide and transcript here:

https://www.mobidoctor.eu/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-head-pain-and-coughs