Final answer:
To treat a spinal headache after a lumbar puncture, a blood patch may be administered to seal the leak in the dura mater and relieve headache symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient experiencing a spinal headache after a lumbar puncture will typically be offered a procedure called a blood patch. This involves taking a small amount of the patient's blood and injecting it into the epidural space near the site of the lumbar puncture. The blood clots and seals any leaks in the dura mater, the outer membrane of the spinal cord, where the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be seeping out, which is the common cause of the headache. By correcting the CSF leak, the headache - caused by reduced pressure in the brain due to the loss of CSF - is alleviated.