Some people experience headaches during or after exercise. These attacks are usually not caused by a serious disorder or health problem, but they can cause severe pain and make it very difficult to continue exercising. In this report, Dalili Medical reviews the causes of exercise-related headaches and the most important treatment options available.

**How ​​can I avoid headaches after exercise?**

 

To keep your body hydrated, make sure to drink water before, during, and after exercise. It is also recommended to warm up and cool down properly, and avoid doing intense exercises suddenly.

**What should I eat or drink before exercising to avoid headaches?**

 

It is best to eat a light snack rich in carbohydrates, in addition to drinking water or sports drinks to keep you hydrated.

**Can poor posture during exercise lead to headaches?**

 

Yes, if your neck or shoulders are tense or in an incorrect position during exercise, this can cause a headache.

**How ​​long do exercise headaches typically last?**

 

Headaches can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours after exercise, depending on the cause and severity.

. Can breathing techniques help reduce exercise headaches?

 

Yes, practicing deep breathing during and after exercise can help relax your muscles and increase oxygen flow, which can help reduce headaches.

. Is it common to get headaches after starting a new exercise program?

 

Yes, starting a new exercise program can put stress on your body. Headaches often improve as your body adjusts to the new level of activity.

Can I take pain relievers for headaches after exercise?

 

It’s best to consult a parent or doctor before taking any medication. They can help you determine if it’s safe and what the appropriate dosage is.

Are exercise headaches normal?

 

Headaches can occur during or after strenuous exercise. Some activities associated with exercise headaches include running, rowing, tennis, swimming, and weightlifting. Doctors classify exertional headaches into two categories.

Does exercise affect migraines?

 

Yes, exercise can be used as an effective way to combat migraines.

How can I get rid of a headache without using medication?

 

You can apply warm or cold compresses to your head or neck.

Does drinking coffee help relieve headaches?

 

Yes, caffeine acts as a natural vasodilator, which helps reduce blood pressure by preventing the contraction of the muscles of the veins, thus contributing to relieving headaches.

What are the causes of headaches when moving?

 

Sinus headaches can worsen pain when moving and bending. Dehydration can also cause headaches or migraines, or worsen existing headaches, and the pain often increases when bending, walking, or moving the head.

What is the future for female athletes who suffer from headaches after exercise?

 

The effects of exertional headaches usually go away within a few minutes or hours, and usually do not last more than 48 hours. On the other hand, although the patient's attacks are frequent, they often disappear spontaneously within a maximum of three to six months.

When should I seek medical care for a headache after exercise?

 

It is agreed that this type of headache often goes away on its own, or can be avoided by treating external factors such as high temperature, wearing tight helmets, or improving the quality of sleep and nutrition. However, you should visit a medical care center if the headache recurs or worsens, especially in the following cases:

- If the headache is severe and unbearable.

- If the headache lasts for more than two days.

- If it causes you drowsiness or confusion.

- If it is accompanied by fainting.

**Types of sports headaches**

There are two types of sports headaches, one is simple and easy to treat and prevent, and the other is more serious and requires medical consultation. They are as follows:

**Primary sports headache**This type of headache appears suddenly in women or girls during or after intense exercise. Doctors have not been able to determine the exact causes behind it, but it is believed that the expansion of blood vessels inside the skull and the increase in blood flow during exercise may be behind the feeling of annoying pain in the head. The symptoms associated with it include:

- Severe pain on both sides of the head.

- These pains are often throbbing.

- A feeling of numbness in the head.

- The headache usually disappears after a few minutes or two hours at most.

**Secondary sports headache** Secondary sports headache is considered one of the most dangerous types of headaches, and requires the person, whether male or female, to visit a specialist doctor. This is due to the many health problems that may lead to this condition, the most prominent of which are:

- Brain hemorrhage.

- Brain cancer.

- Abnormalities in the blood vessels associated with the brain.

- Blockage of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.

- Chronic sinusitis.

- Congenital defects in the brain, neck, or spine that affect blood flow.

The symptoms of secondary sports headache last from one to several days, then disappear and appear again. Among these symptoms are:

- Nausea.

- Vomiting.

- Double vision.

- Stiff neck.

- Dizziness.

- Loss of consciousness.

**Sports headaches have various causes**

Neglecting warm-up and stretching exercises**Not doing warm-up and stretching exercises before exercising can lead to headaches after exercise. Not preparing the brain for the sudden blood flow may cause headaches, in addition to exposing the woman's or girl's muscles to various injuries such as tears and muscle strains.

Intense exercise pattern** A woman or girl may suffer from recurring headaches after finishing exercises if she follows an intense exercise pattern, such as fitness exercises, cardio, swimmingOasis, or CrossFit. These activities may lead to an irregular heartbeat, which requires a visit to a cardiologist to ensure the health of the heart and its ability to withstand the physical effort exerted.

**Neglecting warm-up and stretching exercises** Doing warm-up and stretching exercises before exercising can lead to headaches after exercise. Failure to prepare the brain for the sudden blood flow may cause headaches, in addition to exposing the woman's or girl's muscles to various injuries such as tears and muscle strains.

**Intense exercise pattern** A woman or girl may suffer from recurring headaches after finishing exercise if she follows an intense exercise pattern, such as fitness exercises, cardio, swimming, or CrossFit. These activities may lead to an irregular heartbeat, which requires a visit to a cardiologist to ensure the health of the heart and its ability to withstand the physical effort exerted.

**The body's need for additional energy** A woman or girl may suffer from a headache after exercise as a result of her body's need for more energy. Therefore, drinking caffeinated drinks, such as "sugar-free coffee", is important and should be consumed at least 45 minutes before exercising. These drinks help reduce the size of blood vessels, which contributes to reducing the rapid rush of blood to the brain, thus reducing the possibility of headaches after completing exercise.

**Low blood sugar** If you repeatedly feel a headache after exercising, this may be a sign of low blood sugar. Therefore, it is recommended to drink fresh, sugar-free orange juice or sports drinks at least 45 minutes before exercising as an effective solution to this problem.

**Magnesium deficiency in the body** Magnesium is one of the essential elements that must be present at appropriate levels in the body to support its functions and physical performance. When women or girls have low magnesium levels, they may feel headaches after any physical activity, whether violent or moderate. To overcome this problem, it is recommended to take magnesium supplements or include foods rich in it in the diet on a regular basis.

**Improper breathing** Holding your breath during intense exercise can strain your heart, which can cause high blood pressure and lead to headaches.

**Tight workout clothes** Just as tight shoes can cause leg pain, a tight helmet worn by cyclists can cause temporary head and soft tissue pain that goes away after the helmet is removed. Goggles can also cause similar problems. Pressure from head protection or impact-protective clothing can cause soft tissue pain, which often goes away within an hour.

**Aerobic sessions** Some intense aerobic activities, such as running, walking, and cycling, can cause headaches in the brain, leading to a throbbing headache.

**How ​​to deal with headaches after exercise**

 

Exercise-induced headaches, also known as primary exertional headaches, are common. These headaches can occur during or after exercise, regardless of the type of exercise, whether it’s strength training or aerobic exercise, or even the intensity of the exercise. It's normal to experience a headache after exercising, and you may feel pain on one side of your head or a throbbing pain that spreads throughout your head. There are several factors that can contribute to this type of headache.

**Symptoms of a headache after exercise**

 

Symptoms of exercise-related headaches typically include:

- Pain in the neck area.

- Pain on one or both sides of the head.

- Feeling nauseous or vomiting.

- Sensitivity to light.

**When to see a doctor**

 

Many people experience headaches during exercise, but they may not be aware of any underlying health conditions that warrant seeing a doctor.

People who have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease should talk to their doctor about exercise-related headaches, especially if they also have neck or jaw pain.

This includes people with a history of:

- Smoking

- Obesity

- Diabetes

- Heart attacks

- High blood pressure

- High cholesterol levels

The doctor may perform a series of tests to determine any underlying health conditions that may be causing your headache after exercise. If you have a severe headache that lasts for more than 48 hours, it is advisable to book an appointment with the doctor immediately.

**Diagnosis of headaches after exercise**

 

Apart from secondary headaches that result from underlying health causes, we emphasize that headaches resulting from stress are not related to an internal disease or disorder.

The specialist may ask you to undergo some tests to rule out possible pathological causes, such as:

- Angiography using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

- Conducting an MRI of the brain.

- Performing a spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to take a sample of spinal fluid for testing.

If your test results are negative and you have had at least two headaches, your doctor will classify your headache as a post-exercise stress headache. This type of headache usually occurs when:

- It occurs after physical activity.

- Sometimes, it may occur during or after exercise.

- It lasts for more than 48 hours.

**Treatment of post-exercise headaches**

You may benefit from some medications to treat stress headaches, also known as post-exercise headaches. Here are some options:

**Medications for treating stress headaches:**

- **Indomethacin:** This is used for a short period of time.

- **Beta blockers:** Such as nadolol and Propra Nolul, used long-term or for those who cannot take NSAIDs.

- **NSAIDs:** such as naproxen, are available without a prescription, but it is best to use them for a short period only.

**Tips to relieve headaches after exercise at home:**

When exercising at home, there are some tips that can help relieve headaches after exercise:

- **Stay hydrated:** Make sure to drink fluids and water during exercise. It is recommended to drink about eight glasses of water a day to maintain optimal hydration for your body, which also helps keep your skin fresh when exposed to heat.

Make juices and soups an essential part of your meals, in addition to eating fruits and vegetables, as this will provide you with more fluids.

**Drinking electrolyte replacement solutions** Rehydration solutions are an effective way to help the body rehydrate its cells that have lost water. You can take these solutions when needed, as they contain electrolytes that replace what you lost through sweating.

**Stretching exercises** Some fun exercises like yoga can help relieve muscle tension and the resulting headaches, in addition to its other known health benefits.

**Relaxation techniques** When I lost some stocks in the stock market, I decided to go to the beach to spend some time relaxing and meditating, which helped me get away from stress. You can use the same method when you feel a headache after exercise, just go meditate.

**Warm bath** Taking a warm bath with some aromatic herbs can provide you with relaxation and muscle relief, especially those behind and around the head. Using a heating pad also helps relax the neck and shoulders. Do not hesitate to use over-the-counter pain relievers.

**Headaches caused by low blood sugar levels** When you feel shaky due to low blood sugar levels, which may be accompanied by a headache, it is recommended to eat a snack containing sugars to compensate for the deficiency. Exercising can also help restore blood sugar levels to normal and relieve headaches.

**The effect of nutritional supplements on headaches after exercise**

Some studies indicate that there are benefits to a group of nutritional supplements in reducing headache pain that may occur after exercise, including:

- Coenzyme Q10

- Feverfew

- Magnesium

- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)

- Boswellia (a natural anti-inflammatory)

**Tips to avoid headaches after exercise**

This type of headache is characterized by the fact that it disappears quickly, but it may be accompanied by severe pain that affects your nerves and muscles, without there being an organic disease or underlying disorder.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult a healthcare provider, in addition to using medications and other techniques to relieve pain.

Although it may be difficult to prevent all headache attacks before they occur, you can follow simple strategies to reduce headache pain after exercise. These strategies are summarized in the following points:

**Warming up and cooling down**It is not a good idea to stop exercising as soon as a headache appears, but regular exercise may help reduce migraine attacks in girls who are prone to it, especially when starting the exercise with a proper warm-up and good preparation, while avoiding high-intensity exercises.

It is also best to avoid dehydration, so be sure to drink water during light and moderate exercises. If you are doing high-intensity exercise that lasts for more than two hours, it is essential to have a drink to replace electrolytes.

**Pay attention to the weather**Try to avoid exercising during peak heat times during the day, and avoid training in direct sunlight.

Eat a healthy snack before exercising**This is especially directed at women with diabetes or who are taking medications that affect blood sugar levels. It is important to inform the trainer or supervisor about your health condition. It is also preferable to bring some sugar with you in the form of candy or a sugary drink. Your pre-workout snack should also include healthy carbohydrates and nutritious proteins to avoid low blood sugar levels, which can lead to fainting.

**Avoid activities that may cause stress** Try to eliminate strenuous workouts from your plan. Consider enlisting the help of an expert to help you choose the right activities for you. Remember, world-class trainer Sarah Popfit can provide advice and guidance.

If you’re unsure about how to do a new exercise or activity, don’t do it without consulting us. We’ll be here to provide the right advice, which can help you avoid injuries and the headaches that result from them.

Wear the right equipment** Make sure that the goggles or headgear you wear during training fit well to avoid external pressure headaches

When you get enough sleep, you’ll feel energized and able to perform all your exercises. Make sure to wake up and go to bed at the same times every day.

When should you be concerned about getting a headache after exercising?

 

A headache that occurs after exercise is not necessarily serious if it’s caused by external factors. However, sometimes the problem can worsen and headaches can be caused by secondary causes, either during or after exercise. Therefore, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention if you develop some worrying symptoms, including:

Here are some signs that indicate that the headache you are suffering from may be more serious to your health:

- If you are 50 years old or older and you have new and sudden headache symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

- If you have a fever or other symptoms that indicate a general illness, such as a serious type of flu.

- If you develop neurological signs and symptoms such as confusion or seizures.

- If there are new changes in chronic or recurring headaches.

- If you are pregnantIf you experience headaches during or after exercise, you should see a doctor to make sure there is no more serious problem.

Critical cases** There are some women who suffer from heart disease and want to exercise, and they should consult a doctor about this. In general, any woman who is unaware of her health condition and suffers from headaches after exercise should seek medical advice. Obviously, when neck or jaw pain is accompanied by exercise-related headaches, and when this condition is accompanied by heart disease, it is necessary to see a doctor. You should be especially careful if you:

- Smoke

- Are obese

- Have diabetes

- Have had a heart attack

- Have high blood pressure