Exercise Information Information Research

Tell a Friend about this Site

After Exercise Headache - More Serious Than You Think?


It's surprisingly common - you're exercising, everything's fine, and then POW - a headache strikes! Or, sometimes, a headache hits while you're exercising. Is it just a minor annoyance? Or could it be a signal that something serious is going on? Should you go to the doctor, or just shrug it off?

If you already suffer from headaches or migraine, it may just be that your exercise is starting the headache chain-reaction. In that case, it's important to look at the overall picture and make sure you're getting the treatment you need for headaches. Your doctor may recommend a pain killer to take just before you exercise, to stop the pain before it starts. In the case of migraine, this is called an "effort migraine", and it's very common. A throbbing headache in the back of your head may be an "exertion headache", which again usually requires some pain killers and is not serious.

But after exercise headache can be a warning that something serious is going on. As a general rule of thumb, if you get a new headache after you exercise, you should see a doctor right away. Any sudden change when it comes to headache could be a sign of something serious, so don't wait.

Some of the more serious headaches have to do with the blood vessels in the head. A headache after exercise could indicate an abnormality in the blood vessels themselves, or could warn you of a brain hemorrhage (or haemorrhage) (blood flow when blood vessels break).

If you're exercising in the heat and begin to have sore muscles, difficulty breathing, and dizziness along with headache, you could be experiencing early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. You'll soon be past helping yourself, but friends will need to make sure your body is cooled off quickly.

Of course, everyone is afraid of brain tumours. Tumours (tumors) are very rare, so don't panic at the first sign of headache. Unlike typical headaches, these generally get worse over the course of several weeks, and are usually worse in the morning. They get worse when you exercise, and almost always include other symptoms, such as blurred vision, unsteadiness or weakness. Again, if you get a new headache, see your doctor right away. You want to catch these things as early as possible.

Here are some other things that may tip you off that your exercise headache is very serious:

- You have injured your head in the past

- You experience paralysis or a tingling sensation

- Your neck is stiff

- You're waking up at night with pain

- The headache isn't going away

- You're experiencing other symptoms elsewhere

- Any other change in symptoms

Remember, even if you have other symptoms, it may not be an immediate problem. But it's worth it to talk to your doctor and remove all doubt. Even if it's not a sign of another disease, dealing with the pain will help you benefit more from exercise and your relaxing time too. Your health is worth it!

James Cottrill is a health writer at http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com . He lives with his wife and children in the shadow of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. You can read more about exercise headache at http://www.relieve-migraine-headache.com/after-exercise-headache.html


MORE RESOURCES:

Stop working on excuses, start on exercises
Pocono Record
As with diet, it is important to find exercises that fit your lifestyle and surroundings. It may be that you will have to try different activities until you ...
Want to lose weight? Some things to know about calories and exerciseSan Jose Mercury News
Which is more important for weight loss, exercise or diet?Gather.com
Weighing the Evidence on 6 Popular Diet ProgramsU.S. News & World Report

all 7 news articles »


Metro

Church feared heart attack over Henson's exercise plan
New Magazine
Welsh singer CHARLOTTE CHURCH regrets roping in her rugby star beau GAVIN HENSON to help her lose weight - his punishing exercise regime left her fearing a ...
My diet secrets? I just ate less.. er, that's itMirror.co.uk

all 20 news articles »


Digital Spy

Vanessa Hudgens's 'Intense' New Exercise Partners: Navy Seals
People Magazine
While preparing for an upcoming film role, Vanessa Hudgens recently adopted several unorthodox exercise partners – partners who had her in ...
Hudgens: 'I learned a lot filming Beastly'Digital Spy

all 6 news articles »


Navy to hold security exercise
Honolulu Advertiser
AP An annual security training exercise is set for next week at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kaua'i. ...
Security training exercise set for next weekHillsboro Argus - OregonLive.com
Navy commands in Hawaii to conduct anti-terror exercise next weekHonolulu Advertiser

all 14 news articles »


The San Francisco Appeal

SF motorcycle cops collide during training exercise
San Jose Mercury News
SAN FRANCISCO — Two San Francisco Police Department motorcycle officers who were hospitalized after crashing during a training exercise this afternoon are ...
Two SF motorcycle officers hurt in crashSan Francisco Chronicle

all 16 news articles »


Times Online

Army drops bayonets, busts abs in training revamp
The Associated Press
The exercises are part of the first major overhaul in Army basic fitness training since men and women began training together in 1980, he said. ...
US Army overhauls fitness training for 'weak generation'Telegraph.co.uk
Army Changes Basic Training RegimenGo Blue Ridge (blog)
Army Updates Fitness Training for Softer RecruitsAOL News

all 474 news articles »


Navy to hold week-long security training exercise
The Virginian-Pilot
During the week-long exercise, limited disruptions to normal base and station operations could occur. There may also be increased traffic or ...



Windows Phone 7: Microsoft's exercise in self restraint
Register
Mix10 The key difference between Windows Phone 7 and Windows Mobile is not Silverlight, the Windows Marketplace lock-in, nor the disallowing of native-code ...

and more »


Nation's Largest Force Protection Exercise Begins
Navy Compass
SAN DIEGO - US Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) will begin their annual weeklong security training, Exercise ...
Exercises on Camp Pendleton could mean traffic, access delays Mar. 22-26Village News Network
Navy base's anti-terrorism exercise may cause traffic next weekCarlisle Sentinel
News Briefs - March 20, 2010Santa Rosa Press Gazette
First Coast News
all 7 news articles »


KEEPING FIT: Shape up for spring
The Patriot Ledger
As the temperature climbs and there is more daylight, it will become easier for many of us to exercise and reduce the fat we stored ...

and more »

Google News



MaineBannerExchange

home | site map
© 2006