Primary exertion headache cure/tips?

krhn

Long story short, on Sunday I was go maximum effort on squats and after 5 heavy sets I would jump onto the leg press machine to get 12 reps (literally last rep at 12)... after the 3rd set, I repinned the weight stack and next thing you know, my head feels like it is going to explode (not kidding). Started tearing up in the eyes due to the pain in the head - felt like a concussion essentially - after that I tried to do lighter sets on other movements but nothing really stopped the dulling ache other than calf raises.

Yesterday went back to the gym for chest day; as soon as I slapped on some plates on teh barbell, that pain became increasingly noticeable - I think you all get the gist...

Qs is, is there a cure to this; I am somewhat of a gym junky so I will go gym tonight for shoulders but likely another light session... I've searched online and everyone seems to say it takes about a week for these headaches to subside and has a lot to do with the breathing pattern I employ when I am lifting (the 'vasoula maneuver'... something like that). I'm thinking of doing a deload week then as i am kind of recovering from this - any tips to evade teh pain whilst i am at the gym?

Much appreciated.

corrynelizabeth

how clean do you eat?

SarcasmIsMyLoveLanguage

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I sometimes get headaches during exercise if I am dehydrated. How much water do you typically drink? And I'm not talking about water DURING exercise, but all the time. It's important to keep hydrated throughout the day.

Reefboy1980

I agree with the op how much water you consuming, I know if don't drink enough water I have terrible headaches at the gym

krhn

corrynelizabeth wrote: »

how clean do you eat?

I am a fairly clean eater.

krhn

BinkyBonk wrote: »

I'm not sure if this is helpful, but I sometimes get headaches during exercise if I am dehydrated. How much water do you typically drink? And I'm not talking about water DURING exercise, but all the time. It's important to keep hydrated throughout the day.

I do not think my water consumption was the cause since I have been on creatine and diuretics on and off for over 4 months with no substantial headaches from the gym - I would probably average around 2.5 to 3 litres of water a day...
- I am not an amateur in the sport so I would think I have my diet and drinking requirements etc. in check
- Also on that day I did not take any caffeine or supplements

krhn

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AliceDark

You should see a doctor, just to make sure it isn't anything serious. It could be a variety of things -- dehydration, clenching your jaw, pulling a muscle in your neck or over-using your traps -- but there's no way to know if it's one of those things or something that needs medical attention.

questionfear

Crazy question but have you seen an ENT? My sinuses go NUTS on me if I work out too hard and they are already inflamed.

jgnatca

Brainstorming, off the top of my head (so to speak):

• Hydration
• Breathing (holding breath, lack of oxygen)
• Spasm in blood vessel to brain (migraine, pinched nerve)
• Aneurysm

I figure if it lasts too long get it checked.

krhn

Cheers for the input... Went to the gym earlier, couldn't lift jack all... It is definitely exertion headache's... Pushed half of the weigjts I usually do and my head had the throbbing sensation again.
I've searched online and people in the lifting community all seems to suggest a lot to do with pinching of neck nerve or improper breathing all the way to extremely high blood pressure - seems to be a mix of 3.

Apparently it won't go away until I stop training for at least a week

krhn

questionfear wrote: »

Crazy question but have you seen an ENT? My sinuses go NUTS on me if I work out too hard and they are already inflamed.

Ent?

azulvioleta6

It might not be a bad idea to run this by your doctor.

I'm a brain aneurysm survivor, and your description makes me a little bit nervous. Better safe than sorry!

Certainly hydration is really important in preventing and treating headaches. One of my doctors recommended the following for strenuous workouts and it seems to help: fill a water bottle (I use a quart/32oz size) 1/3 with ice, 1/3 with water and 1/3 with low-cal Gatorade. Sip as you work out.

azulvioleta6

krhn wrote: »

questionfear wrote: »

Crazy question but have you seen an ENT? My sinuses go NUTS on me if I work out too hard and they are already inflamed.

Ent?

Ear/nose/throat doctor--otorhinolaryngologist.

usmcmp

krhn wrote: »

corrynelizabeth wrote: »

how clean do you eat?

I am a fairly clean eater.

Hydration. If you are getting enough water then your clean eating means you aren't getting enough electrolytes. The only other time I get light headed is sometimes on a rough leg day and that's due to too much blood in my quads and not enough for my brain.

jpaulie

OP I get exertion headaches from time to time, sometimes very bad. I don't need to lift heavy to get them. If you have not seen a Dr you should get it checked out regardless. My doctor thought I might have an aneurism but an MRI showed all clear.
Massage has helped me a lot. It is also a good recommendation for anyone who does a lot of lifting (and just in general). Sometimes I take a Tylenol and Advil prior to a workout if I am feeling prone. But that won't stop a bad one from happening.
If this becomes a chronic problem there is also Therapeutic Botox' which basically paralyzes a small muscle associated with the pain. This is also used a lot with migraine sufferers. but that is really a worst case scenario.
Good luck. I hope they are just a passing phase

krhn

jpaulie wrote: »

OP I get exertion headaches from time to time, sometimes very bad. I don't need to lift heavy to get them. If you have not seen a Dr you should get it checked out regardless. My doctor thought I might have an aneurism but an MRI showed all clear.
Massage has helped me a lot. It is also a good recommendation for anyone who does a lot of lifting (and just in general). Sometimes I take a Tylenol and Advil prior to a workout if I am feeling prone. But that won't stop a bad one from happening.
If this becomes a chronic problem there is also Therapeutic Botox' which basically paralyzes a small muscle associated with the pain. This is also used a lot with migraine sufferers. but that is really a worst case scenario.
Good luck. I hope they are just a passing phase

Cheers for the reply, yeah probably try and get it checked just in case.