will heat help after a lumbar puncture?

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Answers:
I wouldnt recommend it. headaches following lumbar puncture are related to lowered pressure of spinal fluid because the volume of fluid is reduced. Some of the volume reduction is because of the amount that was taken for diagnostic purposes, and the rest relates to leakage through the small hole left by the spinal needle. Very simply, the brain normally floats in spinal fluid and we believe loss of the fluid allows the brain to sink down and cause traction on structures that result in headache. The headache develops or worsens with upright posture and is relieved by lying down. Many people never develop a headache after lying down for the first hour or so (the estimated time needed for your body to replace the amount of fluid removed by the doctors). The headache that develops after lumbar puncture typically resolves in a few days - lying in bed with lots of fluid intake may help athe person feel better during the recovery phase. Occasionally, the headaches persist beyond a few days , into weeks or even longer. If the headache persists and remains sever, relief can be provided by the application of a “blood patch”. This is a procedure where a small amount of the patient’s blood is injected into the epidural space near the site of the first puncture. Coagulation of the blood and increased pressure in the epidural space prevent further leakage of spinal fluid and the headache is relieved in hours.

Source(s):
learned it in med school

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will heat help after a lumbar puncture?

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