You thought you were getting on the road to better health – but instead, you get a headache after working out. The irony is that many people want to exercise so that they get fewer headaches or migraine attacks. And suddenly it looks like the opposite!
Getting a headache after working out could have a variety of causes – some of them quite serious. For example, it could signal a problem with the fluid in and around the brain. Or, it could be a symptom of a problem with blood flow.
The first rule is: If you have a headache after exercising, and it’s never happened before – see a doctor right away! Or, if you’ve had headaches before, but this one is somehow different, get to a doctor right away. It could be something serious, and if possible you should see a doctor the same day.
But what if it’s just common for you to get a headache after working out?
In fact, it might happen other times, not just after an actual workout. There are other similar kinds of exertion headaches. Maybe doing a certain task at work is causing a headache. Or it could be a sex headache. Or some other active job or recreation you do.
Exercise is so key for your health, you should not allow headaches or migraine attacks to keep you from it. And yes, there are ways to treat exercise headache.
Are headaches making your workouts this depressing?
Stopping the after-workout headache
- Be sure you’re hydrated. Get enough to drink before, during and after your workout, and see if it makes a difference.
- Sugar levels: Make sure you’ve had a good meal before you exercise (that means eat breakfast first if you’re going to work out in the morning). Some people find it helps to drink an energy drink during a workout, or to take a glucose tablet before starting. Eating within an hour after your workout is also a good idea.
- Take it slow: Maybe you’re trying to do too much too fast. Try gentler exercise for a while. Or, take more time to warm up before getting into something intense.
- Consider taking preventative medication and/or supplements for migraine. If you have been diagnosed with migraine, consider this. If you work out 3 times a week, and get a migraine attack every time, that’s 13 attacks a month. No small problem! Preventative medication for migraine has helped many people drastically cut down on their attacks. Daily supplements such as magnesium may also make a big difference.
- If the problem is more occasional, ask your doctor about taking something before you exercise, such as an anti-inflammatory like Advil (ibuprofen) or Indocin (indomethacin). This isn’t safe for everyone, and isn’t a good option if you need to take it often.
Exercise is worth it – don’t give up! Find a solution that works for you, and keep that new years resolution to get in better shape in 2009. Don’t get stopped by a headache after working out.
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*!! Thank you so much….I thought I was going crazy because I couldnt figure out what was wrong with me. All I knew was that every time I worked out, I would get a headache. The worst ones were after doing situps. Thanks for this article I can finally say Im not the only one!!!
Me too.In fact it just happened yesterday. For me I think the connection is not warming up enough. I can feel myself getting all red in the face and I just know later Im going down for the count.Doent happen with yoga or anything like that,just intense aerobics.
You’re welcome! You certainly aren’t the only ones. It’s very common – but there are good solutions out there. Hope these have been a help!
I get headaches usually a few hours after I work out. I’ll wake up in the middle of the night with a bad headache and sometimes nauseous. Anyone have the same?
Like Karen Brewer mentioned, I get a headache nearly everytime I conduct a hard workout, normally a hard run. If I run at an easy pace, I usually do not get a headache. It is only from a strenuous workout. The symptoms are similar to sinus pain on one side, stretching down that side of my head and neck. Headache comes on about an hour after the workout. I am not entirely convinced these are migraines, but it will normally last for 12 – 24 hours and it seems nothing works to get rid of it. Anyone with ideas?
I get headaches after working out. Especially when I do sit ups
Really great reply to my problem with lots of solutions.Many thanks
I just got my headache today, Jan 14/10. Almost immediatly I got one after I did my shoulder routine; the pain is in my head and goes down to where my spinal cord should be. The first one this morning I felt nauseous too. Just after 10pm(now) it cam again, dont feel as sick, but it hurts, even now when I am typing this.
I read the article on it, and I think im going to see the doctor tomorrow. Hope I didn’t blow any vesels or anything. I’ll post my diagnostics later.
I get these often. It seems like people just thinking I’m making up the pain, or the frequency, or trying to get out of working out. I’m so sad because I really love being active, but am almost petrified to sweat because I know this will happen. I have to plan my day accordingly, if I work out, I will be completely incapacitated afterward. Sometimes I think I’ll die the pain is so much, I can’t move, I’m dizzy, sometimes I vomit, I don’t want to talk, hear, see, or smell anything. Nothing makes it better except sleep.
I used to get just a few when I was a kid, got worse through my teens, and are even worse now. It seems the onset is much faster, and it is honestly with any exercise I do that breaks a sweat. Getting overheated in any way, even if its hot outside gives me one too, or not eating. HOW CAN I MAKE IT STOP?
Doctors just throw a prescription your way and tell you to lie down when it happens. But is that what life has to be like? Doesn’t make for a very enjoyable one. But I also feel like no one will listen, and I’m at my end’s wit. I spent today in bed from a migraine after working out, and now the whole day is gone.
Sorry this post is long, but I’m hoping someone will read it who feels the same. Other symptoms sometimes include a stiff neck, and when I lay down after it’s started, on one of my sides, I usually don’t move for quite some time because I feel like moving will make me throw up. But when I eventually wake, still on the same side, the pain in my head on the side that is touching the pillow is gone. The exposed side of my head however, hurts just as much as before..Its a very odd lopsided feeling. I usually just turn over and try go back to sleep. After all is said and done, and I’m feeling better later, I’m always famished and eat a lot, tired, and neck feels stiff.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I have had migraines since November and its has been constant everyday it gets me upset my neck hurts too and i also get doses of bad nausea and it gets so depressing. Right no i am taking panolol and its gets rid of the headache pain. i also try and distract myself by reading a book or watching a good film when i have nausea
Dana, try the mayoclinic.com website. It talks about primary and secondary exercise headaches and your symptoms sound like those of the secondary type. I, on the other hand, seem to have the symptoms of the primary type. I drink water but will try to drink more. These relatively mild headaches are a new development for me and they now occur consistently after strenuous exercise. A Tylenol usually does the trick, but I don’t like taking medicine if I don’t have to. However, I’m perimenopausal and “lots of funny things” are happening to my body at this time…
Whenever I workout my chest, a small pain builds up in the back of my head. It then feels like it blows up and the pain gets very intense in the back of my head, and it just stings very bad. This basically ends my workout, and prevents me from doing anything for a couple hours. It may just be my breathing, and the amount of oxygen getting to my brain, but I am not sure. But also the back of my neck (levator scapulae muscle) has been hurting and this could be the cause. I am only 16 so I’m not sure why this would be happening. Any suggestions?
I’ve been getting exercise headaches now for about 15 years– primary ones from the descriptions I’ve seen posted. They started in my 20’s after I played tennis or went running and have gradually been getting worse ever since. The hotter I get during exercise the worse the headache, which is usually throbbing in the front of my head on both sides. (If I run or play tennis in cold weather or go swimming, I don’t get much of a headache.) They usually begin about 2 hours after I’m finished and last up to 24 hours with the worst pain at about 12 hours. I used to think that it was dehydration, but drinking a lot of water didn’t make any difference and drinking too much actually seemed to make it a bit worse. Anyway, after much worrying and pain, I found an easy solution I wanted to share– SALT. I was really happy to find this solution since it’s about the cheapest thing you could think of!! After any exercise where I get really hot, I down a few cans of tomato juice or a can of chicken noodle soup since both of these have tons of salt. It prevents about 80-90% of the headache. I’m not a physiologist, but I read that exercise headaches might be caused by blood vessels dilating in the brain and presumably dumping extra liquid there which would build into a headache. I know that electrolytes like sodium and calcium regulate the flow of liquids across cell membranes. Maybe salt impedes the flow into the brain or causes the liquid to be retained elsewhere in the body? Anyway, I thought I would pass this information along since it worked for me. Of course, it might be a bad idea for somebody with high blood pressure or other salt sensitive medical condition or for somebody whose exercise headaches stem from a different cause.
I recently started Zumba classes and I am useless after them because my head hurts so bad. I drink plently of water and eat meals before and after. I even concentrate on my breathing thinking that was the problem. I work out on a regular including cardio but do not get headaches.
I have had the post-run exertion headache problem for about 12 years now (now in my 40s). I have tried almost everything. Warming up doesn’t help; going slower helps, but then it’s not much of a workout. Running on cool days is better, but often I’ll get the headache on cool days too. For the last few years I have taken one advil or one tylenol 30 min before running, and that usually does the trick, but I don’t want to keep taking medications every day for the rest of my life. I tried the small can of tomato juice today about 2 hours after the run, and so far it seems to have reversed the headache that I felt coming on. So, maybe the trick is the SALT that was mentioned by Mark. There might be more to it than just salt, however, because I often eat salty snacks after the run, and that doesn’t seem to help. But the tomato juice did help – today anyway. And drinking too much water is not the way to go – it actually makes the headache much worse. So hydration is important, but getting the right amount of hydration can be tricky.
I have the same thing everyone above is describing. I know how discouraging it can be to want to exercise and then get that debilitating headache afterword!!! Once upon a time I was a cross country runner, and very fit. I am now 44 and these exercise headaches have been going on since about age 30. I ended up gaining weight because I couldn’t work out. I am now losing the weight, through diet and moderate exercise. I have finally come to the realization that I may not be able to get the runners high that I used to enjoy, but I can still walk, do the elliptical moderately, do pilates and yoga, and do weights at the gym as long as I’m careful NOT to OVERDO it. I can even jog about a mile and a half during temperate weather (not too hot), usually spring and fall is best, and winter if not too cold. If I go further than one and a half miles, or if I try to go too fast, I will get a headache.
I read somewhere that vigorous exercise triggers insulin to rise, and I’m wondering if that is a factor. I have also gotten migraines from eating “bad”, (meaning too much sugar.) I have been reading a lot about the glycemic index of foods, and how to keep my insulin levels more steady, rather than spiking them on high glycemic foods. I’ve noticed that when I’m careful about the foods I eat, and stay away from or cut down on caffeine, sugar, and bread, and even dairy,I get a lot less headaches !!!
I am still trying to figure all of this out. Doctors have been little if any help. Like someone said above, they just want to throw a prescription at you. I will admit, however, that when I do get a migraine, Imitrex works very well for me. I am thankful for the relief!!!! It’s also very expensive, however, so I don’t want to use it much.
I read what someone wrote about salt after exercise, and I am going to try the tomato juice trick and see if it helps any. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHY I GET THESE HEADACHES IN THE FIRST PLACE!! Terri
This sounds so much like what I’ve been experiencing lately. I ride horses and had a jump lesson on Sunday and Tuesday. After these rides, I ended up with a migraine. I took a vicodin and that stopped the headache, but I don’t want to get them in the first place. I don’t want to take a narcotic, but I can’t go through two days of being a blob, especially when the migraines are back to back. I’ve been drinking tons of water before hand, too. Maybe tomato juice is the answer to life??
I always end up with a migraine after swimming or running or going to the gym. I’ve had to give up all of these things now although I would love to take part in them. I started topomax for my migraines in December which have decreased the frequency of my migraines but I have so little energy that I can only just about manage to go to work leave alone consider doing anything else!! If anyone knows wether the side effects of topomax get any better and wether I’ll ever be able to do exercise again I’d love to hear from them!!
I don’t get an attack after exercise, I get it during the exercise and usually feel nauseous and throw up. I guess it is just the migraine already on its way and I am just aggravating it. My only exercise is walking my dog about an hour whenever I feel okay. It also happens whenever I have been to my physical therapist; after he has loosened up muscles and blood is flowing freely all over, I get an attack.
Ok, yesterday I had another jump lesson, and drank TONS of water before and during and after. NO migraine! Don’t know if there’s a link, but I’m going to keep trying. I would hate to have to stop doing something I love so much.
I’ve recently started taking Emergen-C (1000 mg of Vitamin C) almost daily and it’s made a big difference in my energy level and I’m no longer getting headaches after strenuous exercise. It’s interesting because tomato/tomato juice also has lots of Vitamin C. I note however that my headaches were milder, of the throbbing type, not migraines.
I ran a half-marathon 2 years ago and never had this problem. Then I had a baby. I get headaches after every run now! It usually comes on 2-3 hours after working out. I hate it! I have a half-marathon coming up and I want to run it so bad….. but we talking 4-5 workouts a week, which equals 4-5 bad headaches. I will try these tips. Hopefully something will work. You know my headaches improved after seeing a chiropractor, maybe I will try that again. Also, I head a news report on coconut water and how it rehydrates quicker than water and sports drinks… and its natural.
My first headache of the sort happened about an hour after a great run outdoors in cool weather – My nose started to ache, then my forehead, and then I vomited. It came on quickly and was gone by the morning. The next time I had a similar headache was while in Brazil. This headache was not specifically centered on nose, but also in general sinus region and lasted most of the week – I can only assume that change in air pressure had an affect. Then I had a headache that lasted over 10 days – again in the nose, sinus region, temples, but also skull, back of head, neck, shoulders….etc.
Exercise seems to be a trusted trigger – now, light cardio and even yoga set it off. My doctor was adamant that my headaches do not suit migraine symptoms (though very prevalent in family) and that my sinuses were inflamed due to allergies. To my chagrin, allergist claimed me allergy-free (was hoping for easy diagnosis). While waiting for an allergist appointment, I was recommend to take a decongestant on a daily basis which I have continued to do. I do use ibuprofen regularly on top of that. I am desperate to know what is causing me headaches as I really want to get into shape again. What is this exercise and Brazil-induces headache that just won’t go away? Migraine? Sinus? Bone alignment? Allergy?
I’ve been getting these migraine headaches now for a couple years and I think it’s thyroid & hormone related. The headaches started after I started thyroid med’s (Armour “pig gland thyroid”). It must have to do with sustained high body temperature from intense workouts because the headache is cut back when I apply ice to my head and neck area, and vice versa “with heat the pain is more intense”. Even the nausea symptom subsides a little with the ice. I’ve also recently been given “Lpi-Gesic”-M a sublingual gel for Migraines (homeopathic) it IS working. However, I think the best remedy/medicine is that I cut back on the intensity of the workouts and avoid the headache in the first place.
Good luck to you all.
I also been getting headaches for many years now. I recently stopped smoking using a e-cig and i can see a huge difference. Since i stopped smoking i really never get headaches anymore after working out. So if any of you are smokers out there maybe this is the issue.
I’m 25 years old and the past 2 years have been experiencing these exercise induced headaches. It’s typically after a run or a strenuous hike. I was an avid soccer player in high school and never experienced these before. It typically comes on 4-12 hours after I exercise and it is debilitating. I’ve tried taking ibuprofen before and after working out, all it does is prolong the inevitable. I found that Excedrin works the best. I also get headaches that are unrelated to exercise in the middle of the night or when I wake up in the morning.
I know how you guys feel, it sucks!
It’s truly heartening to read that so many other people get headaches after intense exercise the same way I do. I didn’t realize it was so common. So first, thanks to everyone for sharing. I agree, I want to know what is causing it. For me, there seems to be a connection with overheating, as sometimes (but not always) I get the headaches when I get very hot too quickly, for example, in a spinning class. But also on very hot days, and no amount of cooling down or jumping in a swimming pool or taking a cold shower helps. I gave up on prescription drugs a long time ago, because then I have to deal with side effects in addition to the headache, as the drugs have only worked at best 25% of the time. I quit exercising a while back because I had returned to working every day (after being home with the kids) I knew I wouldn’t be able to deal with work and headaches. But of course I’ve gained ten pounds and clothes barely fit and so this past week I began working out again. The thing is, I enjoy exercising. It makes me feel so good and healthy (that is, until the headache comes). It is so frustrating to want to exercise and then to have to hold back because of the headache. I am a “type A” exerciser, I’ve been told. I love to push myself to the limit, because that is what feels good, and that is what gets the best results. But, as others have mentioned, as soon as I break a sweat, that’s it. It’s over, headache guaranteed 1-6 hours after the workout. This week it was different, which is why I am here now looking for answers. I had to stop 45 minutes in the middle of my pilates class because my head started pounding intensely. This happened twice this week. Never before have I gotten a headache in the middle of exercising. And I never used to get headaches with pilates!
I have an appt with a headache specialist on Monday. I’m wary but desperate at this point because I want and need to exercise. I’ve tried the elliptical, and I’ve taken it easy to avoid the headache, but in the meantime I don’t feel like I’ve worked my muscles hard enough. It just felt like I was going through the motions and totally ineffective and a waste of time. I can’t do that.
Thanks for “listening”… I’ll see what the dr says, and maybe I’ll try the tomato juice or the magnesium or salt. Lots of water didn’t help. Maybe gatorade will help? I don’t think it helped me in the past.
SABRINA……I too have recently taken up Zumba classes and every time I take them I get Migraines! I thought it might just be me, but from what I read a lot of people get these Exertion Headaches. I have suffered from migraines for about 10 yrs or so….but there occurrence has subsided now that I don’t take any form of Estrogen/Progesterone both which I believe are huge in Birth Control Pills. I used to practice Bikram Yoga(hot yoga) and I had to stop because the pain was excruciating. I use to get the throbbing pain right after class and continue well into the night. I drank TONS of water and it would sometimes just result in vomiting!!!! I now practice Pilates and I am usually fine. I realized that I usually get the pounding migraine after strenuous exercise, but I am stubborn and I refuse to give up. I am now trying to tweak my diet and include Magnesium(which is said to help) and drink more electrolytes a long with eating more greens and less fermented food. I will also try the salt/tomato juice and see how that works! Thanks everyone for sharing your pain in the fight against evil migraines.