Headache after exercising?

SewerUrchin
SewerUrchin Posts: 53
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
I find that, after my workout at the gym, I get this weird headache (kind of a throb in the centre of the brain with what feels like tiny electric shocks flying out from it) and my hands go a bit numb. I make sure I drink plenty of water, so I doubt it's a hydration issue. It only lasts about twenty minutes. Is that a problem, or does it just mean that I've done a good job?

Replies

  • Bikini_Bound150
    Bikini_Bound150 Posts: 461 Member
    How long do you exercise for before you get the headaches? And what kind of exercise are you doing?
  • kealambert
    kealambert Posts: 961 Member
    I find that, after my workout at the gym, I get this weird headache (kind of a throb in the centre of the brain with what feels like tiny electric shocks flying out from it) and my hands go a bit numb. I make sure I drink plenty of water, so I doubt it's a hydration issue. It only lasts about twenty minutes. Is that a problem, or does it just mean that I've done a good job?

    when I was young I got bad headaches; found out I was overheating. Consider drinking more water, and if possible being in a location with a lower temp.
  • SewJoe
    SewJoe Posts: 43 Member
    If you find the advice from 'kealambert' doesn't work, check with your doctor. I think his advice is good though.
  • tquig
    tquig Posts: 176 Member
    Hard to give a single answer to this because we really don't know all of the variables- what type of exercise, what are your heart-rate measurements (resting, while exercising, etc), how much water is "a lot", etc. Assuming there are no other major physiological causes, you hit on the two primary cause; hydration and body temperature. Sometimes headaches are also caused by a rapid depletion of nutrients. Try drinking an 8oz glass of low fat milk with Ovaltine within twenty minutes of working out. That is a common "post-workout drink" that is both cheap and effective. Remember you are asking a lot from your body during exercise and it is a shock to your system no matter what your fitness level is. The headaches may be just your body's way of screaming "Hey, what the heck did you just do to me!". Try it after a couple workouts and see if it helps.
  • SueD66
    SueD66 Posts: 405 Member
    this happened to me yesterday. It was way to hot in my basement. Also you might want to get a little protien in to you within about 20 mins. and always water like you are doing. Let us know
  • Thanks folks. I tend to walk to and from the gym (which I don't really count, I walk everywhere anyway), and once I'm there, do at least an hour of cardio, during which I'll drink about a litre of water. Today, for example, I spent 60 minutes on a rowing machine, and, according to the machine (the measurements on here always seem exaggerated for some reason), burned 606 calories. I don't think my gym is particularly overheated, but I do sweat a huge amount when working out (I admit, I'm not in the best shape, so am going at it hardcore to rectify this).
    Would drinking something like Powerade either before or after the workout help? Maybe I'm sweating out all my electrolytes or something? The ovaltine/low-fat milk thing could be do-able once I get in, but it takes around twenty minutes to walk home from the gym in the first place. I could take a bottle of it with me to the gym, but it'd probably get all warm and gross in my locker.
  • love2cycle
    love2cycle Posts: 448 Member
    When I've gotten a headache after intense exercise, it usually means I am dehydrated. On several stupid occasions, I went bike riding without enough water, and it was also incredibly hot. I usually feel okay until I stop and then WHAM!
  • tquig
    tquig Posts: 176 Member
    Hydrating while exercising is great but your body is not sweating out that water, it is sweating out the water you put in to it earlier in the day. Try to drink the litre at least an hour before working out and then another during. Your body needs time to get the water into your bloodstream and then your cells (including your brain-headaches). You probably just need to hydrate more before exercising. As an example, marathon runners will begin pounding water days before the event (along with carbs). The twenty minutes for the post-workout drink is also a guide-line. I have seen the time listed as high as 45 minutes following exercise so I doubt it would matter for us amateurs!
  • Ah, that'll be it, I don't tend to drink that much water before exercising. Thanks guys, hopefully that'll help!
This discussion has been closed.