Exercise headaches

Description

Exercise headaches occur during or after sustained, strenuous exercise. Some of the activities associated with the exercise headaches include running, rowing, tennis, swimming and weightlifting.

Health care providers divide the exercise headaches into two categories. Primary exercise headaches are usually harmless, is not connected to any underlying problem, and can often be prevented with medication.

Secondary exercise headaches are caused by an underlying asset, often a serious problem in the brain, such as bleeding or a tumor or outside the brain, such as coronary artery disease. Secondary exercise headaches may require emergency medical attention.

Symptoms

Primary exercise headaches

These headaches:

  • They are usually described as throbbing
  • Occur during or after strenuous exercise
  • Affects both sides of the head in most of the cases

Secondary exercise headaches

These headaches can cause:

  • The same symptoms as the primary exercise headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Double vision
  • Stiffness in the neck

Primary exercise headaches which often last between five minutes and 48 hours, while in the secondary exercise headaches usually last at least a day and sometimes persist for several days or more.

When to see a doctor

If you experience a headache during or after exercise, consult your service provider. Call your doctor right away if the headache pain begins abruptly or if it is your first headache of this type.

Causes

Primary exercise headaches

The exact cause of the primary exercise headaches is unknown. One theory is that vigorous exercise dilates the blood vessels in the interior of the skull.

Secondary exercise headaches

Secondary exercise headaches are caused by an underlying problem, such as:

  • Bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin membranes covering the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
  • Irregularities in a blood vessel or in the brain
  • Cancerous, or benign tumors
  • The obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid
  • Infection of the sinuses
  • Structural irregularities in the head, neck or spine

Risk factors

You may be at increased risk of exercise headaches if you:

  • Exercise in hot weather
  • Exercise at high altitude
  • Have a personal or family history of migraine

Prevention

Exercise headaches tend to occur more often when the weather is hot and humid, or if you are exercising at high altitudes. If you are prone to exercise headaches, you may want to avoid the exercise in these conditions.

Some people experience exercise headaches only in the performance of certain activities, so that they can prevent their headaches by avoiding these activities. A warm-up before strenuous exercise can also help prevent the exercise of a headache.

Exercise headaches

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will probably recommend an imaging test, especially if:

  • Your headaches last more than a couple of hours
  • Your headaches strike suddenly, like a thunder
  • You are older than 40 years of age
  • You have other signs and symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or changes in vision

In these cases, the different types of imaging tests can help your provider to verify that you have the harmless variety of exercises, pain of head, in place of the type caused by a structural or vascular irregularity.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of the structures inside the brain.
  • The magnetic resonance angiography (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) angiography. These tests visualize the blood vessels that carry blood and in the brain.
  • computed tomography (CT scan). A ct scan uses X-rays to generate a cross-sectional image of the brain. This test may show fresh or recent bleeding into or around the brain and is often used if your headache came less than 48 hours in advance.

Sometimes a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) it is necessary, especially if the headache began abruptly and, very recently, and images of the brain seem normal.

Treatment

If no underlying structural or vascular problem is the cause of your exercise headaches, your healthcare provider may recommend medications to take regularly to help prevent the headaches.

  • Indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug, is commonly prescribed.
  • Propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL), a drug for blood pressure, it is also used to prevent exercise headaches.

Other therapies, such as naproxen (Naprosyn), phenelzine (Nardil) and dihydroergotamine mesylate (Migranal, Trudhesa), have been reported to be effective in some people.

If the exercise of the headaches are predictable, you may be able to take a medication on an hour or two before a scheduled event, like a game of tennis or a walk on the height. If the exercise of the headaches are frequent or unpredictable, you might need to take the preventive medicine every day.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your provider. In some cases, you may be referred to a neurologist. It's good to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment and know what to expect from your doctor.

What you can do

  • Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as the restriction of the diet.
  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
  • Write down key personal information, including past illnesses and operations, the major stresses or recent life changes, and any medical problems that run in your family.
  • Make a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are taking.
  • Have a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Write questions to ask their provider.

Prepare a list of questions will help you make the most of your time with your doctor. For the exercise headaches, some basic questions to ask your provider include:

  • What is the cause of my symptoms or condition?
  • There are other possible causes of your symptoms or condition?
  • What tests do I need?
  • Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • What are the alternatives to the approach that you're suggesting?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can take home? What sites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any other questions that arise during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your provider is likely to ask a series of questions, such as:

  • When do you start to experience exercise headaches?
  • Have your exercise headaches has been continuous or occasional?
  • Has had a similar problem in the past?
  • Have you had any other types of headaches? Describe them.
  • Has someone in their immediate family to experience migraines or the exercise of the headaches?
  • What, in any case, it seems to help your headaches?
  • What, if anything, makes your headaches worse?
Symptoms and treatment of Exercise headaches