Exercise is tough enough without the added burden of a headache while you’re working out. Headaches with exercise are surprisingly common, and they’re more frequent in people who suffer from migraines. Some people are concerned that headaches during exercise are a sign of a more serious medical problem. Fortunately, this isn’t usually the case. What causes headaches with exercise, and how can you prevent them?
What Causes Headaches with Exercise?
Exercise-related headaches are sometimes called exertional headaches. In people who are susceptible to them, they’re triggered by strenuous exercise such as running, cycling or weight training. No one knows exactly why exercise triggers headaches in some unlucky people. One theory is that exercise causes blood vessels to dilate and enlarge, placing pressure on pain-sensitive tissues in the brain.
An exertional headache is typically a “throbbing” type of pain that’s felt on one or both sides of the head and usually comes on during strenuous exercise. They usually last for several minutes up to 24 hours after exercise is over. They’re more likely to happen in hot weather and during workouts at higher altitudes.
Is A Headache a Health Risk?
Even though most exercise-related headaches aren’t dangerous, exercise can make headaches related to more serious problems worse. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor if you have new-onset headaches. In rare cases, exercise headaches can be due to a brain tumor, an aneurysm in the brain or other structural brain problems. Other causes of headaches during exercise are sinus infections, low blood sugar, and dehydration.
How to Prevent Headaches during Exercise
Once you know that your headache isn’t related to a more serious health condition, there are steps you can take to keep one from coming on during the middle of your workout.
Always do a warm-up before increasing the intensity of your workout. A slow warm-up helps to prevent blood pressure fluctuations and rapid changes in the diameter of blood vessels that can trigger exercise headaches.
Watch your fluid intake. Dehydration is a relatively common cause of headaches with exercise. Keep water or a sports drink handy to sip on during a workout. Sports drinks have the added benefit of containing carbs to keep blood sugar levels stable. Low blood sugar can bring on a headache in some people. Staying well-hydrated is particularly important when exercising in a hot or humid environment.
Some people try to work out on an empty stomach. This isn’t a good idea if you’re prone to headaches. Eat a snack consisting of a lean source of protein and healthy carbs an hour or two before you hit the gym.
Check your medications. Some medications can trigger headaches during exercise, especially blood pressure medications, antihistamines, decongestants, and birth control pills. Caffeine can do it too, so avoid drinking caffeinated beverages before a workout.
Practice proper breathing techniques. If you hold your breath while weight lifting, it can cause fluctuations in blood pressure that trigger headaches.
If exertional headaches are a frequent problem, your doctor may prescribe a pill called a beta-blocker to help relieve them. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications help too, although they can have serious side effects.
The Bottom Line?
Exercise headaches are not uncommon. If they’re a new onset, see a doctor to make sure you don’t have a structural reason for your head pain. If not, try these six strategies for keeping exertional headaches at bay.
References:
Medscape.com website. “Migraine in the Athlete: Sports-Related Headache”
Mayo Clinic. “Exercise Headaches”
