Does anyone else get headaches after working out?

SaraLily85
SaraLily85 Posts: 23 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Sometimes I get these headaches, not my typical headache, but its enough for me to know its there, and its annoying. What am I doing wrong? I drink plenty of water. I eat healthy. What else is there that effects this? Am I working out too hard?

Replies

  • MaraDiaz
    MaraDiaz Posts: 4,604 Member
    Sinuses, maybe. Nevertheless, this sounds like a question for your doctor.
  • vnovit
    vnovit Posts: 101
    All the time.. especially if I'm doing a butt excercise and my head is lowered.. spoke to my doctor, he said it's just bc I'm not breathing when excercising.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,992 Member
    Many people tense their necks (lift head off bench while bench pressing, tilt head too far back on squats, pull on their necks doing crunches, etc). This is why learning correct form counts. It's just a guess though since I don't know what you do for exercise.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • Cinflo58
    Cinflo58 Posts: 326 Member
    ninerbuff sounds like he knows his stuff. what he said LOL
  • theredfernie
    theredfernie Posts: 5 Member
    Try drinking more water. I've heard its a sign of dehydration.
  • greatthursday
    greatthursday Posts: 19
    Try drinking more water. I've heard its a sign of dehydration.

    Dehydration is where most of my migraines stem from, working out or no!
  • trimom10
    trimom10 Posts: 388 Member
    I have the same issue sometimes, particularly after races (both triathlons and running). I'm not entirely convinced it's related to being dehydrated since I keep close tabs on my water intake. I haven't been able to find a reason or connection yet.
  • ejwme
    ejwme Posts: 318
    if it's not dehydration, and it's not smacking your head off the floor or nautilus machines, and it's not low blood sugar (carbs are your friends sometimes), and it's not some kind of weird medical condition (high blood pressure? allergy to the cleaners they use on the equipment?), and it's not a medication side effect, I'd second the breathing and form ideas.

    Breathing - try taking three super deep super big breaths between sets or every quarter mile.

    Form - if you don't engage a pro, scope yourself out in the mirror - line things up symetrically vertically and horizontally, and see if you've got extra tension to relax in your neck and face. Stick your tongue out and make a horrid face - you can't do that and hold tension at the same time, I promise. And, it's a sure fire way to be hilarious.

    If you're golden on form and a veritable yogi in breathing, and you're super hydrated and eat a light carb rich snack before you work out, not smacking your head off of things, and still having headaches, (and have health insurance), go ask a good doctor. Sports medicine might be a good bet.
  • Sycoholic
    Sycoholic Posts: 282 Member
    Where is the root of the pain? Stiff neck? Generally all over? Tension headache, such as feeling stiffness in your neck would mean you're straining those muscles. Could be bad form. Yes, it could be dehydration and that's easily fixed. It's not enough to drink while you work out, but you should be drinking plenty of water all the time as it takes more than a few hours to get fully hydrated. Try a day or two out. Breathing is important. That could be a cause.

    Suggestions? Breathe and be conscious of it. Don't strain your neck. Drink plenty of water. Possibly..... try taking an NO supplement. I noticed I feel better and experience less headaches (like none). I just get the $10 bottle of N.O. Fury from Wal Mart. The idea is it relaxes and dilates your blood vessels. Sometimes migraines are caused by your blood vessels in your head expanding and contracting. I get migraines. Haven't had one in months now, since starting on a NO supplement I've had one minor headache and I attribute that to having a cold and being stuffed up. It's just a suggestion and for $10 it may be worth experimenting with.
  • booboo68
    booboo68 Posts: 302 Member
    Check your blood pressure before and after exercise. Obviously it will be higher post exercise, but exactly how high it's going might be the problem. Also, as others have already stated, make sure you're not dehydrated by drinking plenty of water.

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