Comments on: Get a Headache after Working Out?

By: User

User — Wed, 16 May 2012 16:08:26 +0000

Headaches caused when drinking too much water that are relieved by taking salt are caused by Hyponatremia (low blood sodium). This can be a big problem, and can even cause coma and death, especially if you keep over-hydrating in spite of feeling bad.

The opposite is also possible – Hypernatremia (high blood sodium) – which is typically caused by dehydration, which can also cause headaches.

I’m also getting headaches, and wasn’t sure in which category I fell until I did a serum sodium level test after exercise (I had to do some other bloodwork so I asked the doc to add the sodium test as well). It turned out I was pretty dehydrated (sodium level 156, while normal is 135-145 and over 160 is a medical emergency), even though I wasn’t thirsty.

Now I drink a lot more, and when I retested, sodium was 144. Headaches are not gone yet, but they are definitely less aggressive.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:03:30 +0000

Tom,

I had similar problems, after a workout at the Gym I would end up feeling ill, hard to concentrate etc. For me it was also setting of my retinal migraine (aura only in one eye) and I would feel very ill the next day. I also had MRI etc and all ok. I also had this problem since my 20`s and have been to physio, chiro etc and no joy.

So the good news is, I am now on a small amount of amytriptilan which is controlling the Retinal migraine better and have now been going to a Strength & Conditioning couch for a good year. What I have learnt is, that it is not the exercise that is causing the problem, but HOW you do the exercise. Like ensuring that your posture is good, that you shoulder blades are set in place before every exercise and that your core & upper back is strengthened. If I concentrate on good form, then I can exercise

I have also set my computer desk up ergonomically at work, which also helps.

Yes I still have problems, but at least I have taken control and can continue exercising (I am now even rock climbing again).

What you describe certainly sounds like it is your posture that is causing the problems. If you are like me, your posture most prob looks ok, but for me I have to have my posture perfect!!! My mother has the same type of problems, and also suffers from migraines (perhaps the migraines somehow make us more supsetable to these pains).

Hope this helps

By: Korin

Korin — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:56:26 +0000

I’ve experienced exactly the same symptoms after exercising. I used to be a fairly fit individual and excercised fairly intensely four times a week. My migraines returned a few years ago after a few decades of absence. My bp is slightly raised but i’m reluctant to take tablets as generally they make me worse.
Gentle exercise and lots of relaxation is maybe the key?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 02:57:33 +0000

My Internist recently put me on Inderal (a blood pressure medication) to see if that would help with my migraines of 5 years. I still get them (via stress, hormones, genetics, whatever) 3-4 times per week, but the exertion trigger seems to be not as “touchy”. I can work out harder, get my heart rate up higher, etc. Previously, I had to quit all moderate exercise and go to the Y classes with the old ladies (I’m 32). I used deep breathing to moderate my heart rate, but while on the Inderal, I don’t have to do that any more…its nice. I’ve always had normal blood pressure. – My doc would like me to be on 60mg 2x per day, but it interferes with my sleep, so he backed me off to 60 mg once every other day and that seems to be the magic number for me….for now. I also take herbal/mineral/vitamin supplements and eat triptans practically for breakfast…jk.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:47:08 +0000

One possibility to explain all these headaches that I’ve been looking into is mild hypothyroidism or some other metabolic dysfunction like that. That might explain morning headaches as well as headaches after exercise, and low tolerance for exercise in general. It comes with a grab bag of other vague symptoms too. You might also get yourself checked for anaemia.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:33:37 +0000

Wayne,
I’m similar. Had sinus problems since young age. I’m 48 and workout 3 times a week plus 1-2 soccer games. I used to suffer headaches every third heavy workout. But the last 24 months it got much better (I switched from vegetarian to vegan but I doubt that this had a primary impact). Tomato juice helped a bit. Also yoga stretching. I feel it’s a combination of sinus swelling and tight neck muscles (bad posture). I must say say it was worse when I was younger.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:19:34 +0000

I’ve been suffering from headaches after exercise all my life (I’m 46), yesterday after playing basketball for several hours, after a drinking plenty of water, two cans of coconut juice (for electrolytes), a huge bowl of pho soup (for salts), ice on my neck (to cool me down) I go so sick I could not even get out of bed, it appears I have literally tried everything. I do have sinus issues, and even after a operation to open them up, I still suffer from sinus headaches, so I’m assuming that this is the source of the problem — the access physical excursions cause inflammation in my sinus that is the source of the migraines. Does anyone have similar conditions to mine and have had some success?

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 00:18:53 +0000

Tom, have you checked into massage therapy? Dont know much about it but my massage therapist was telling me that a lot of headaches in athletes are due to physical strains put on the neck and trapezius muscles. The topic came up because she was shocked that I dont suffer from headaches since my neck and traps are really tight and require a lot of work. Hope that helps.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:32:43 +0000

Good news! I feel I have finally solved my headache problem. I have had migraine/exertion headaches after running for 15 years (now 46 yr old male). They come on about 2-3 hours after the run, and can last about 6-10 hours. They are not due to lack of hydration in my case, although the headaches are worse the hotter it is outside. I hydrate enough, and in fact, if I drink too much water, the headache is much worse. Tried ibuprofen before or after the run, and that works to some degree, but I didn’t like taking pain relievers all the time. Saw many times that my electrolytes are probably off, and tried Gatorade/Powerade but that never worked. However, if I try just salt (and I added a few almonds to make it palatable), with water, the headaches don’t happen. I take about 1/2 tsp of salt after the run with water, and stay reasonably hydrated, but not too much water. No headache!! The sports drinks might work for some people, but they don’t have enough salt for me in my opinion. I will try V8/salt next, or might try buying Saltstick caps, which I have read about. Try the salt – it might work for you!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:10:07 +0000

I have also experienced these exercise headaches and have learned that I can’t work out hard so I keep it to walking on the treadmill no more than 35-40 minutes a day. I scared myself once by working out hard even though I knew I would get a migraine and afterwards my legs were wobbly and I felt like I could pass and of course the headache with aura. The headache lasted for 2 days and my blood pressure went up to where my whole body felt like it was pounding. Anybody have this experience? and what do you think it is? My doctor said I probably needed an adrenaline blocker but I couldn’t take it because of asthma.