“Is it normal to have a bad headache after anesthesia?”

Most headaches after anesthesia are due to lack of caffeine, hunger or thirst. But can also be a complication if epidural/spinal anesthesia was used, your position and if properly protected and padded,....

Your question is not entirely clear. After general anesthesia some people experience a hangover-type headache for anywhere from a few hours to a day or so. In particular with sinus surgery, though, the headache is more likely due to the surgery than the anesthetic. Treatment is rest and pain medication.

Sometimes after spinal anesthesia, patients can experience what is called a post-dural puncture headache. This kind of headache may be absent when lying down, but intense when sitting or standing. Best initial treatment is rest and hydration plus pain medication. If the headache persists for more than 72 hr or is extremely debilitating, a procedure called an epidural blood patch may be required to provide relief.

Treatment includes NSAIDS, acetaminophen, migraine medicines such as Imitrex or Butalbital, or low-dose narcotic for persistent headache.

No, it is not. Headaches can be problematic after some surgical procedures though. If it persists, you should let your surgeon or internist know.

It's very common in people that normally consume large volumes of coffee, caffeine and energy drinks on a daily basis. Also common with dehydration.
It should go away with food and caffeine. Call your physician or go to the ER if it doesn't resolve, gets much worse.

It is usually not normal to have headache after most anesthesia. Since we don’t know the type of anesthesia you had, it is difficult to say that headache is a common side effect of the type of anesthesia you had. Post-dural puncture headache (headache that increases with sitting or standing and decreases on laying down) can occur after spinal regional anesthesia, especially in younger patients — like your age group.

I hate to use the word "normal" when it comes to a question like this. Let me use the words that it is not uncommon or unexpected to have a headache after anesthesia for a procedure. There are many reasons why. And it is not usually due to the drugs you have been given. First, you have been NPO for typically 8 hours or more before surgery. Even if you are allowed water up to a few hours before you have become relatively dehydrated which can lead to a headache. Second, if you are a coffee drinking adult, that lack of caffeine, even if you only drink a cup or two day can leave you with a headache. What procedure did you have? Most surgical procedures of head and neck or other procedures that caused odd positioning can also cause post op headaches. Also, ECT procedures almost universally are associated with post OP headaches. So, what do we as anesthesiologists do to try to prevent or treat headaches?? We try to hydrate the patient through the IV and if available from our pharmacy, give IV caffeine. Post-op, we encourage patients to hydrate and will treat the headache, not with narcotics, but with Tylenol or aspirin.

Some people experience headache after anesthesia, especially with a spinal block.