5 Reasons Why Head Aches After Crying !

By Vanshika Gaur
29 Jul 2025, 16:30 IST

Crying, an emotional response to distress, often leaving our eyes red and puffy. Prolonged crying can also trigger throbbing or dull headaches. From dehydration to eye strain, here are a few reasons why crying makes our head ache. Tap to know!

Dehydration

When we cry, the water and electrolytes are lost through tears, reducing the fluids in the brain, lowering blood volume, and leading to headaches or lightheadedness.

Facial Muscle Fatigue

Crying for long periods can lead to facial muscle fatigue due to repetitive expressions like squinting and frowning, leading to inflammation and headaches.

Emotional Stress And Anxiety

Many times, people cry due to emotional stress and anxiety, which can cause severe headaches and muscle tension.

Sinus Pressure

Our nose becomes runny or stuffy while crying, which blocks the sinuses and creates pressure in them. This presses the surrounding nerves and causes headaches.

Eye Strain

The tears may inflame the delicate tissues near the eyes, leading to eye strain, swelling, puffiness, and more, which can trigger severe headaches.

Information Credits

According to PubMed, our head can ache after crying due to dehydration, facial muscle fatigue, and more. It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for personalised suggestions.