Exercise Induced Headaches

ai071408
ai071408 Posts: 22 Member
edited November 13 in Health and Weight Loss
No matter what I do, I get a terrible headache shortly after exercising. I enjoy doing cardio but the headache that always follows makes me not want to do it. People often suggest that I am not drinking enough water, but I drink 4-5 16oz water bottles a day. Any suggestions

Replies

  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    edited January 2016
    Have you tried having a sugary snack right afterwards? I get post workout hypoglycemia which gives me terrible headaches and nausea. Literally an ounce of OJ or a glucose tablet will prevent it from happening if taken immediately after my workout.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    My first thought is high blood pressure, which is a little scary. You're pretty young for that but anything is possible. If I were you, I would get my blood pressure checked.
  • notcorky
    notcorky Posts: 49 Member
    I agree with quiksylver - sounds like a blood pressure related issue. Same thing was happening/happened to a friend of mine.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    If you are already drinking an adequate amount of water, Definitely see a doctor.
    My headaches happen when I am dehydrated.
    Also, do you breathe correctly during exercise. In the beginning, I woild hold my breath and tense up at times which caused them temple and neck pains
  • Cave_Goose
    Cave_Goose Posts: 156 Member
    See a doctor. This isn't normal, and you aren't going to get good advice in a forum like this.
  • ai071408
    ai071408 Posts: 22 Member
    edited January 2016
    I go to the doctor regularly for my thyroid disorder to be tested that my medication is at a good dosage and my blood pressure has always been fine on those check ups
  • misstweedy
    misstweedy Posts: 45 Member
    If your blood pressure's not an issue, try eating some carbs before or after exercising. Doesn't have to be a lot, a banana or granola bar should do it. I get exercise headaches if I don't refuel properly.
  • WaterBunnie
    WaterBunnie Posts: 1,371 Member
    Obviously do see your doctor if it continues I would try eating something small and carby a while before you go because you could be depleting your brain of glucose, it's favourite fuel.

  • QueenofHearts023
    QueenofHearts023 Posts: 421 Member
    Make sure you're not holding your breath when you exercise. I used to get headaches whenever I did strength training because I held my breath when it got hard. Other than that, all I know of is blood pressure/sugar issues like the others mentioned. I would also say go see a doctor if all of that has been ruled out.
  • LHWhite903
    LHWhite903 Posts: 208 Member
    ai071408 wrote: »
    I go to the doctor regularly for my thyroid disorder ti be tested that my medication is at a good dosage and my blood pressure has always been fine on those check ups

    Here we go, now we're getting somewhere. See if your thyroid condition affects this problem and take a look at potential side-effects of medications. A doctor or pharmacist may be able to help. If that isn't the problem, then you can keep investigating further.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    Check your electrolytes, too! Maybe replace one of those bottles of water with a sports drink like Gatorade.
  • callsitlikeiseeit
    callsitlikeiseeit Posts: 8,626 Member
    My first thought is high blood pressure, which is a little scary. You're pretty young for that but anything is possible. If I were you, I would get my blood pressure checked.

    ditto that.... if you are POSITIVE its not that i would try a carb/protein snack after you workout.
  • ai071408
    ai071408 Posts: 22 Member
    misstweedy wrote: »
    If your blood pressure's not an issue, try eating some carbs before or after exercising. Doesn't have to be a lot, a banana or granola bar should do it. I get exercise headaches if I don't refuel properly.

    I have tried carbs immediately after like twice and it delayed the headache but it still came. Maybe I need more carbs or to eat them before.

  • plantgrrl
    plantgrrl Posts: 436 Member
    Are you eating enough in general? I was feeling really odd after exercise (headaches sometimes, dizzy), but I realized I was eating well below my BMR because of MFP's seemingly automatic adjustment to 1200 cals when it autosets your goals. I've cranked it up to 1500 (I'm short) + exercise calories and I'm feeling much better, and still losing weight. Just a though. But mention it to your doc next time and see what they say.
  • sheermomentum
    sheermomentum Posts: 827 Member
    My first thought also was blood pressure.
    1. Have you told your doctor about this? Did he or she have any feedback?
    2. Do you have any way to take your blood pressure before and after working out?
    3. How much cardio are you doing, anyway?
  • ai071408
    ai071408 Posts: 22 Member
    My first thought also was blood pressure.
    1. Have you told your doctor about this? Did he or she have any feedback?
    2. Do you have any way to take your blood pressure before and after working out?
    3. How much cardio are you doing, anyway?

    1. I brought it up to my doctor and her only suggestions were to make sure I am drinking and eating enough, which I am
    2. I don't know of a way
    3. I used to do like an hour on the elliptical 3 times a week and thought I was just overdoing it to the point of a headache. So a while ago I switched to 30 mins on the elliptical 5ish times a week and it didn't improve anything except that my feet weren't so sore after lol
  • sheermomentum
    sheermomentum Posts: 827 Member
    ai071408 wrote: »
    My first thought also was blood pressure.
    1. Have you told your doctor about this? Did he or she have any feedback?
    2. Do you have any way to take your blood pressure before and after working out?
    3. How much cardio are you doing, anyway?

    1. I brought it up to my doctor and her only suggestions were to make sure I am drinking and eating enough, which I am
    2. I don't know of a way
    3. I used to do like an hour on the elliptical 3 times a week and thought I was just overdoing it to the point of a headache. So a while ago I switched to 30 mins on the elliptical 5ish times a week and it didn't improve anything except that my feet weren't so sore after lol

    hmm. I thought you might know someone who has an automatic machine at home. Maybe somebody older than you. I have one. But anyway, I'd also say if it doesn't clear up, bring it up again with your doctor, and ask her if she could recommend a specialist if she has no other suggestions. It definitely isn't normal, but sometimes you have to push doctors when the answer isn't easy for them.
  • lakshva
    lakshva Posts: 44 Member
    Taking smalls sips of water in between the exercise might help? Some people sweat a lot during workout. Every 15mins my trainer used to tell me to get a sip of water.
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Do you suffer from migraines? I do, and sometimes exercises triggers them. If I feel any pressure in my head at all, strength training is a no go. Light, steady state cardio like the elliptical helps them, but if I over do it...migraine city.
  • MsDonaB
    MsDonaB Posts: 8 Member
    I suffered from exercise-induced headaches when I first started working out "hard". My trainer suggested that I eat a snack about 15-20 minutes before I hit the gym, plenty of water during, and another snack afterwards. I started doing that and it did help. Something else that helped me was to be sure I did something to cool down after the workout before I headed home - I normally walked slowly for a few minutes until heart rate and breathing got back to normal.
  • redbod
    redbod Posts: 5 Member
    I had this until recently - usually resulting in migraines!Im still very careful and make sure i eat/drink before a work out and if i know its going to be a tough one i take nurofen before i start but non of these actually stopped the mugraines. However two things have occurred recently and i put it down to either one of these...
    Firstly i had my daith point pierced in my ear, i swear i felt a pressure release when it was done and while i still get headaches they are better. Secondly i had an incident while swimming where i had the worst most intense headache, it was short lived but left me shaky and neasous (?!) for a couple of days. Had it checked out and i am due a brain scan but wondering if worth it as i now dont get the exercise induced migraines any more!
    While you cant do the intense headache thingy i would definately recommend the piercing!
  • FitKat123
    FitKat123 Posts: 71 Member
    Are you perhaps straining your neck?
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    are you on meds? if so could they be causing the blood pressure issues when exercising? I was on an acid reflux medicine and was getting those headaches when I did any kind of intense cardio/hiit. it was only then and not when I weight lifted. I have been off the meds for a few days(it was causing me many issues and it says blood pressure could be affected and my blood pressure is normal any other time) and since then I have not had the headaches from the exercise. I guess my blood pressure was getting too high from the exercise causing me headaches(my face would look sunburnt too and I could feel my pulse in my head). look up side effects of any meds you are on if any. if it can cause high blood pressure than talk to your dr and see what they say.
  • benzieboxx
    benzieboxx Posts: 253 Member
    Headaches after working out can stem from a few things, most commonly dehydration, dips in blood sugar, tight muscles in your chest, neck and shoulders, or high blood pressure.* I would seriously recommend going to the doctor and talk about your situation. Just to rule out any potentially dangerous things i.e. the high blood pressure possibility.

    *obviously there could be more factors than this, but these are the most common ones I've heard of. I'm not a doctor so it could be something related to your thyroid issue.
  • MedeaKay
    MedeaKay Posts: 17 Member
    I had the exact same issue for about 2 years. After trying everything my doctors could think of, one of them finally sent me to a physiatrist, who figured out that I have hypermobility. I then went to a physical therapist and learned what to do for it. The headaches have not entirely stopped, but they are more rare, and less intense, and I am continuing to make progress. Any chance this could be the problem? Are you super flexible? Just thought I would bring it up, since it's not something that most people think of.
  • bruhaha007
    bruhaha007 Posts: 333 Member
    I would see a Dr to rule anything serious out.
  • happyfeetrebel1
    happyfeetrebel1 Posts: 1,005 Member
    I know but you have probably considered this, but I had this problem, and it turns out that I simply cannot wear a workout headband or a sweat band of any kind when I work out. The tightness around my head give me a screaming shrieking migraine within about an hour. Again, I'm sure you've looked at this as a possibility but it never hurts to double check :-)
  • haviegirl
    haviegirl Posts: 230 Member
    I'm wondering what your blood pressure is doing while you're exercising or have been exercising awhile. Readings at the doctor's office might be irrelevant if the only time something changes is during strenuous activity. Do you have a home BP cuff you can check your BP with while exercising?
  • claire0928
    claire0928 Posts: 73 Member
    I'm trained as an NP (but no longer practice) and I've suddenly been getting these headaches much more frequently so I talked with some of my colleagues and basically it's related to dilated blood vessels in the brain. If you never had them before, you should have an MRI or other imaging to make sure you don't have any structural abnormalities. I had a CAT scan not too long ago during an unrelated ER visit so they were comfortable just starting meds. I was prescribed indomethicin to take 30-60 min before my workouts but there are other drugs that can work as well. (I had already tried the 2 most common, ibuprofen and propranolol, when I finally gave in and sought treatment) I just picked up my rx so we'll see how it works. Next step is a neurologist. :(
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