Headaches During or After Exercise
- Victoria Wermers, RN,MSN,FNP, PMHNP
- Oct 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 9
EXERCISE CAN CAUSE HEADACHES
Exercise usually helps you stay healthy. So, just because you are getting headaches does not mean you should stop exercising!
An exercise or "exertional headache" may occur during or just after a strenuous workout. Typically, it is a throbbing headache felt on both sides of the head. While the exact cause is unknown, it is speculated that blood vessels in the body (including the head) expand during exercise, putting pressure on nearby nerves, which causes the headache.
If you develop a mild to moderate headache during exercise, you may want to stop and rest. If it subsides, you can go back to exercise. If it is severe, stop exercising (see warning signs below) until your next exercise session.
Management: Treating the Potential Cause
How to avoid an exercise headache?
Hydrate before, during, and after exercise. (Dehydration) can cause headaches)
Warm-up. Cool down.
Exercise in a cool (not cold) environment.
Maybe you aren't doing it right. Pay attention to proper form and avoid too much physical stress and strain: Physical stress can cause headaches by triggering muscle tension. This, in turn, can alter neurotransmitter function, can induce inflammation, and cause blood vessel dilation in the brain. Consider talking to a trainer.
Eat complex carbohydrates 1-2 hours before exercise (low blood sugar can be a cause of headaches)
Get plenty of rest and sleep (adequate rest is considered to lower the pain threshold)
Avoid excessive
Be careful with strenuous exercise. The latter can raise blood pressure, which can also cause a headache. However, the headache is not usually severe, and blood pressure returns to normal within 1/2 hour to three hours after exercise. Individual bodies respond to increased blood pressure in different ways. According to a study in Science Daily, the "maximum systolic blood pressure during exercise…[which is] considered exercise hypertension" is 210 for men and 190 for women (for ages 20 through 79). The systolic number is the top number on the blood pressure reading. That's just crazy because, under most normal circumstances, it should be less than 120.
If you get headaches during or after strenuous exercise, especially if you have cardiovascular risk factors, check your blood pressure after exercising then about an hour later. It may be high at first but should come down to normal limits. If it is running anywhere near the high numbers (mentioned above), discuss it with your medical provider. And, of course, if you continue to get headaches, talk to a healthcare provider as well.
Warning: If an exercise headache is accompanied by vomiting, vision problems, chest pain, confusion, or a change in the level of consciousness, seek medical help.
it is best to understand the trigger(s) for your exercise-induced headaches and you may be able to do this through the process of elimination. That is, try those methods above to prevent and reduce the headaches. If this does not help, consider standard approaches to headaches or talk to your healthcare provider.
Management: Treating the Headache
Over-the-Counter Medications
NSAIDS: Ibuprofen (common: Advil, Motrin), naproxen sodium (common: Aleve, Naprosyn), and the combination of caffeine, acetaminophen, and Aspirin (common: Excedrin Migraine, Goody’s Powder). These are probably the best choices for headaches. Try to take NSAIDS with a little bit of food (as simple as a cracker) to avoid stomach irritation. If your headache is minor, take the lowest dose. If it is moderate, take the higher recommended dose.
Acetaminophen (common: Tylenol).
Take as directed over-the-counter if there are no contraindications.
Try to treat early on in the headache: It is easier to stop pain if you attack it early rather than waiting until it is full-blown.
Considered Natural Remedies:
Prescription medications
What a healthcare provider prescribes really depends on the cause (see causes of a headache).
Hopefully, the above information about headaches: an overview of causes, symptoms, and management, has helped you get a better understanding of your headaches. If not, it may be time to seek out a consultation with a healthcare provider or neurologist.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
WARNING SIGNS
A “thunderclap” headache – sudden severe onset - a "10 out of 10" - go to ER
Do not dismiss frequent or severe headaches, especially if accompanied by
Vomiting (especially projectile- a forceful outward-directed emesis )
Double vision
Change in your level of consciousness or change in behavior
Recent head injury
Is new and lasting for a few days (especially in the absence of a viral or bacterial infection)
Is excruciating
Has become chronic/ongoing and does not respond to medicines
If headaches especially occur after exercise_
New onset of headaches after 50 (according to the American Headache Society)
If you have more than one to two headaches a week or more than three to four per month
If you have less frequent headaches, but they are more severe and debilitating
Your headaches start to feel different than your "usual" headaches
Q&A
"I am taking a testosterone supplement and do heavy lifting. Can this supplement cause high blood pressure and headaches?
Yes, it can. In fact, some pre-workout supplements contain additives like caffeine, sodium, and some are high in sugar; these can also cause an increase in blood pressure. READ YOUR LABELS.
