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!
EH James or the person who wrote this article what could be problems with having my first headache after a workout. I never had one before and i been liftin for a while i pushed my self hard on the squats for reps and then got it right after it. Still have it after 2 days it comes and goes. How can i cure it and is it serious.
Hi Kilakila,
You need to see a doctor right away. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, but it could be.
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 severe headache after getting winded then doing anything where i get down on he ground…push ups, sit ups, or after sex if i was lying down…THEN when i get up, it hits m like a vice on the head….some things that i do are making sure i’m hydrated, then, i get up SOOOOO slowly….like it’ll take me 5 whole minutes to get my head from looking at the sky to vertical. but for you, it sounds like tension could be part of it…..if you have someone on hand who could massage your shoulders as the headache begins, or if you could get a weekly or monthly massage that might help. Also, blood pressure changes may have something to do with it……good luck – ifeel your pain!
hi dana i feel the same also i been trying to find a way to stop this, well i still having migraine but so hard that before because i used to vomit a lot, do you drink caffeine o have you been under stress too often , i know i sound like doctors recipe but for me it works in some way but of course i would to like to not having those headaches with stiif neck are hard, well i hope you can find away to feel you at your best
My mom is a nurse and this happens to me as well. I also can’t lay down for too long or I start to get the same sick feeling. I can’t explain it I wouldn’t call it a headache but something in the back of my head toward my spine makes me sick. My mom suggested getting a scan of my head because there is this thing where your bone at the top of your skull is just a little too long and it causes this sort of thing. Apparently it’s more common than you think it’s some mutation I can’t remember what it’s called butthat’s what I think I have sounds like the same sort of thing you do. Hope this helps. Good luck!
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.
The tomato juice has helped with my headaches. For me, there appears to be a balance between water, sodium, and caffeine (self induced). I recommend experimenting with the tomato juice. I have been downing it regularly after workouts for about a month and have not had a bad headache, only the beginnings. I have been able to successfully fight off each one, sometimes resorting to a couple of tylenol, but have not had one of the really bad headaches.
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.
Hi Jill,
Just curious, (if you want to share) what did the headache specialist say about your headaches? And did the tomato juice help for you?
Dana
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.
I started having headaches after exhausting workouts or soccer games since I was 20 (now I’m 47). I’m also A-type athlete (I’ll run or lift until there is no one else standing beside myself…
). Hot days make them more certain.
They start 6-12hrs after exercise and last for 12-18hrs. Really bad. Panadeine Forte doesn’t work. Muscle relaxants sometimes work but then I can’t do much during the day. I drink 1.5-2.5l of water before and after so it doesn’t look like lack of hydration. Recently I started overloading on electrolytes (Staminade, Powerade, etc) – 1.5-2l before and after. It sometimes helps but no guarantee.
I’ll try sodium in tomato juice – Mark’s idea.
After 30 yrs I still do exercise 5-6 days/ week so I almost factored it into weekly routine but sometimes it is so strong it feels like chopping my head off would be the best solution…
I had a really bad post-workout headache, leading me to this site, which led me to Mark’s suggestion of trying salt. The headache was so bad that I just put a teaspoon of salt into a cup of water, swished it around and drank it. Well, about 5 minutes later, the headache wasn’t totally gone but it had mostly subsided. Someone should be studying this, and then should give Mark credit for a new discovery. Thanks for sharing, everyone.
After playing soccer in the street with my son ,nothing over strenuous, another headache. I took an ibuprofen about a half hour ago and it´s almost gone but like the majority of you the headaches can last hours after a proper soccer match or any real exercise. I´m 36 now and the headaches have only started in the last couple of years and do occur in more intense heat. I will try the tomato juice !
However, as i understand(correct me if i´m wrong) we require a balance between salt and water in our bodies .Some of you have commented on having drunk a lot of water after exercise which has not helped and even made it worse while steve and has spoon of salt with a glass of water has helped.It seems there must be a relationship there.We are all geting on now and warming up the muscles(also mentioned) is a must too before exercise as we are no spring chickens!!
Anyway,tomorow i´m playing soccer and i´ll try Mark´s tomatoe juice and Steve’s salt combination too.Hopefully the ibuprofen stays in its little box this time.
Thanks for your advice everyone.Like others i thought it was just me.
Tomato juice worked for me at least twice. Last night I had fast indoor soccer game and later I could see all the symptoms of headache coming up as hundreds of times before. I had 3/4 glasses of tomato juice every hour at night – three in total (one glass is about 400mg sodium so about 1.2g total) and no headache at night. Actually, every time I drunk a glass within few minutes I felt like wave of relaxation going through (like a balance got restored).
Hi, 5 days ago I was excercising and when i reached my last pushup a excrutiating pain went up the left side of my brain. It’s has happened everyday since. The initial pain is so intense I cannot do anything, after 5 minutes the pain goes down and lasts up to 3 hours. I’m very healthy, but I’m scared for myself…what if I have a tumor or something.
Matt,
). Pushups were the worst. Last few reps i thought my head would explode. Similarly with bar pull-ups. Biceps wasn’t so bad. On one occasion I had to stop workout and not continue. It lasted 2-3 weeks. I suspect some stomach bug and some electrolyte imbalance. Drinking Staminade and tomato juice helped me quite a bit.
The proper advice is to see your doctor. But I had something similar over a month ago (didn’t go to see a doctor …
I recently started walking. I found that later in the day or the very next morning that I had neck pain, joint pain, and a headache. I’ve learned a many different things about that today, mainly that it’s not that uncommon. The other day during my walk I elected to take a Whey Protien mixture instead of plain water. Water certainly tastes better, but
I found that the Whey Protien actually made me feel an almost instant refreshment. As I recall, I also did not have a headache the next day.
While it does not have any Vitamin C, it does have Sodium (Salt). It also contains some sugar which may also be related to the insulin spike mentioned earlier.
I’m going to be taking a water bottle of Whey Protien with me for each work out. I’m certain in helped, but surely it wouldn’t hurt to also have some tomato juice when I’m done.
Every time i exercise I am getting a migraine!!! Like ER type!! Does anyone have any advice?
I feel better knowing that I’m not alone in getting these headaches. There’s nothing more frustrating than going for a run (in my case 10km this past weekend)- feeling fantastic after & then a couple of hours later suffering from a debilitating migraine & vomiting. I’ve tried eating before & during the runs. I’ve also tried sports drinks and making sure I’m adequately hydrated- none of these things seem to matter. The only thing that has helped me is taking advil before running, which I don’t think is a great idea to become dependent on. I will try the tomato juice idea after my long run this coming weekend. Thanks for the suggestions.
I posted a few months ago about my exercise enduced headaches. I changed my birth control pill to an estrogen-free one, so it’s just progesterone. It worked! it was a miracle and I suggest if any of you women out there are on yaz (which I was) or any other pill, just switching, it wouldn’t hurt.
(Male-32yrs-6’2″-200lbs) I recently quit smoking (about a week ago….so although it could be related to nicotine withdrawals…its def not any meds…I don’t take any) and I also started a beginner cardio and weight training regiment. Every time I go running, workout or have sex (orgasm); I get intense headaches. They hit full power in about 10-15 secs and then it takes about 5 mins for the pain to let up. Any suggestions?…..Anyone else?
Hello everyone,
I do have migraines as far as I know myself. I remember in the middle school I used to feel really tired after playing soccer and used to have weird pain down in my spinal cord to the bottom. I never cared, but it got worse and worse. I got them after I had sex, after a long day on the beach under sun, ans sometimes when I felt really uncomfortable. Now I am 30 years old and I started feeling weird after soccer games, still after sex, and lack of sleep etc.
My symptoms are the closest to Dana’s. Usually two hours after intense physical activity I started feeling something is not right. Actually my muscles are becoming stiff, my posture kind of changing. I cannot even stand still. My breath changes and I know headache is on its way. Now when it comes, it comes with episodes. Suddenly my body temperatures rises and my breath gets quicker and it goes like that for a few minutes and then it goes away. Then it comes back 10 minutes later and goes away again. It’s almost like a torture, because after each episode I feel like I have been hit by a truck. Sometimes if it comes really intense, I get one second of blackouts, most of the time results in vomiting. My body feels just too tense at that point. Actually last time, I injured my back while throwing up and it has been 3 weeks and my back still hurts. To be honest with all of you, if it weren’t my mom, I considered killing my self or just going away forever. This thing affects my everyday life, and punishes me every time I think I am doing a good thing. I want to have a simple life. I want to work out, have a proper relationship with a girl but this is taking everything away from me. I started yoga last week since everyone have been recommending me doing that, and I went to session at 10am. (Normally I cannot do morning workouts because headache comes afterwards and ruin my day) I was feeling great after yoga but 2 hours later I started feeling it was coming and had to leave work early. I am not sure if it’s an headache. I feel really weird when this thing comes. Definitely become very sensitive to light, I start to hear sounds of the environment around me in cutoffs. I feel something is wrong in my body. I had MRIs a few times, I also had physical activity tests, EKG. I also tried anti-depressants. Nothing really cut me and I hated taking pills. I really don’t need a solution. I just want to know what’s changing in my body/head when this thing comes. I know if I can figure that out I am going to be 50% better.
Thanks for listening.
I don’t feel like I’m crazy now! I have been getting really bad headaches after my workouts for so long. For a while I stopped working out because I would be in such pain for the rest of the day that I could barley take care of my three young children. I thought it might have been from getting too hot, so I tried giving walking/running a chance and havent had any problems, even when I get really warm. I started doing the cardio/strength training and again with the headaches. I think that mine may be from causing tension in my shoulders/neck/head. I noticed that I got an odd sensation during push-ups, planks and other workouts that cause tightening of the neck and head. I dont take anything for them since I am still nursing my youngest, so no help after strength training yet. If anyone has any ideas for how to help this that would be much appreciated. I’m going to give the tomatoe juice a try, I figure it cant hurt, only help, right? Thanks so much. Hopefully we all can figure out a cure/prevention so we can lead happy, healthy lifes.
I finally notice the reason why I have headache, I have Cystic Fibrosis but no problem for the moment to my lung only my sinus. I have chronic sinus problem. I had 4 surgery waiting for 5. But my problem is also when I exercise I get really red in the face & hot and than I can have headache for 2 days! It is because my body loose salt and get dehydrate very fast. From now on (I didn’t try them yet) I just got them Salt tablet from my doctor. I will try them and post the information if it’s better. I have to take them before exercise and drink alot of water & Gatorade low sugar G2.
It was such a relief to find out your not alone! I have had exercise induced migraine for 28 years now. My migraine comes on 2 hours after exercise and usually puts me in bed throwing up for up to 2 days. I was a 400m as teenager and in my 20′s and problems in training and racing. I am determined not to give up exercise as it has always ben part of my life. I now try to split my exercise into 2 small blocks and swim for about 20 minutes in the morning and 30 mins light exercise in the evening. Recently I can not do any thing again without a headache. I was put on bisoprolol fumerate a beta blocker to see if it would help and it just seems to be worse. I have tried so many things over th eyear s. It is just so frustrating to keeep fighting against this.I’ll try the tmato juice. (holding my nose!)
BTW: I just watched program on Kokoda trekking. They showed brain getting swollen because of lack of sodium and too much water.
http://www.adventuremedicine.net/png/preparation/112-hyponatraemia-in-kokoda-evaluatio
I wrote about my exercise induced headaches, that eventually became chronic, about 6 months ago. I am glad to say that they have gotten much better and in the past few months.
My recommendations is to persistently look into all options before accepting chronic headaches.
The following is my experience:
As pain in sinus area, my doctor prescribed me to nose rinses and cortisone sprays as well as a referral for an ultrasound of my sinuses. My sinuses did show swelling. Further referred allergist could not detect food or environmental allergy that would instigate sinus swelling. I was recommenced to take decongestants everyday, which I did for a few months (and I felt they helped). I was referred for a CT scan on brain and of sinuses as well as appointment with ENT doctor. The scan results showed no need for concern.
I chose to try every possible path to health one method at a time until headache issue cleared.
I had my eyes tested. I had my teeth assessed. I gave up a wide list of trigger foods, including tannins. I stopped exercise. The HA were not getting better. They were especially triggered by fragrances. Tylenol or ibuprofen did not help and I later found out were probably causing rebound headaches.
As doctor could not help, I went to an naturopath that was recommenced to me (5 yr post grad study in Canada). She had a much better knowledge on headaches than my GP. She requested blood and urine tests and a detailed chart of my daily routine, types of headache, other health, food eaten, weather, menstrual cycle…etc before any conclusions about the cause of my headaches. She told me not to cut out all trigger foods because the list is too broad but to cut out the main HA trigger foods out of my diet; caffein, chocolate, alcohol, old cheese. She suggested certain supplements that could be helpful to me (Magnesium and B6 in high quantities as well as other vitamins I was lacking; B12 and Omega). As headaches became less frequent, my naturopath encouraged that I continue taking supplements vitamin, diet and stretching and advised that physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture can also be helpful additional therapies. (Additional recommendation received elsewhere: osteopath and chiropractor)
Once my headaches had virtually disappeared for a month, I attempted a short run. To my chagrin the exercise that instigated headaches in the first place was still an issue.
Circumstantially, I was assessed by a chiropractor last week. After seeing an X-Ray of my spine and neck, he assessed that my neck vertebrae was straight and did not curved in a way that allow my scull to balance and bounce with movement. Direct Impact to the skull from a straight neck would cause swelling, muscle tension, pressure, and headaches.
In my case, I believe the headaches are due to a mix of several triggers. I will keep taking the supplements while looking further into the neck issue. Hopefully I will be able to do impact sports again but in the meantime, I will attempt to enjoy swimming.
I really recommend persistently looking into all options before accepting chronic headaches. There is an answer to your pain.
The solution to my workout headaches is one you won’t like. Back off. Increase your level of exertion very slowly. Don’t work out until you are overheated and sweating profusely. Over time you will be able to do as heavy a routine as you want to do, but you have to increase slowly and you’ll feel like a wimp. That is the only thing that has worked for me. Every time I quit exercising for awhile, I have to learn that lesson all over again. (Also watch your blood sugar and hydration)
Unfortunately, certain workouts trigger migraines for me, too. I had to give up my favorite workout — Zumba — because it gives me an immediate shoulder/neckache followed shortly by a migraine. I think it’s a combination of the loud music and the intensity of the movement that does it. I have started to do yoga daily, which is much kinder to my body and so far hasn’t triggered a migraine (though I really, really miss Zumba!).
If you get a headache after excercise, then why not do the simple thing. STOP EXCERISING. Its not Rocket-Surgery.
READ THIS
I used to get headaches after playing football (soccer, my American friends). I realised that I never had these in past years when I would constantly train throughout the week before playing a full match. This year, Ive put my body under immense pressure by going straight into long and gruelling matches. Therefore, try working-out in increasing frequency and difficulty until you reach the level you were getting the headaches at (try understanding that!) . I always drank lots of water but still had headches, so fluid levels were not the issue (for me). I never really used to warm-up even when I didnt have headaches, so warming up wasn’t the issue either. (I’m too good for warm-ups)
TRY THESE…Tomato Juice (yes it exists!) seems to work for some people due to the nutrients and vitamins it contains. Having a sports energy-drink available to drink DURING your work-out also helps.
P.S. Unfortunately, I wrote the comment above this one…sorry!