Heat Headache Help

Updated on June 20, 2008
T.L. asks from Englewood, CO
17 answers

Okay ladies, I need some help here. I have been battling heat headaches. I get these horrible headaches when I get too hot. Usually, they come while outside in the sun or when I exercise. I do not get them from taking a hot shower or sitting in a hot tub. They can hit me at any time of the month. Here are things that I already do to prevent them:
drink lots of water
wear a hat and sunglasses outside
no caffiene
eat limited foods with nitrates
put a cool towel around my neck
stay in the shade as much as possible
took ibuprofen before going outside

With summer coming and the weather getting nicer, we want to spend more time outside, but I pay for it the rest of the day and night. My last headache lasted three days. When I last spoke to my doctor, her advice was to not get hot. That is not an option! Has anyone else out there dealt with this? What can I do to enjoy the weather and playing with my family without the pain?

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D.R.

answers from Joplin on

I once had severe headaches where i was in bed for 3 days. Until I started do some research go to this website.

wwww.livetotalwellness.com/donnaryan

1 mom found this helpful

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M.D.

answers from Kansas City on

Have you been to a specalist yet? There are so many new airbouren diseases. Pray to god, he will help you enjoy the outside with your family. I will pray also for you and yours.

M. d. Of k.c.mo.

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M.A.

answers from St. Louis on

Have you ever tried those "cool rags" that are long and narrow and filled with little beads that expand and provide cool moisture when wet? I know they sell them at Wal-Mart. My Mother also gets heat headaches and she has had great luck just putting one of these around her neck when she is outside. They are intended for golfers, fishers, or anyone doing outside work or play. Good luck. I feel for you as I am also a headache sufferer!

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M.F.

answers from Kansas City on

what about a chiropractor? if you need one in the olathe area,i'll give you the # of a wonderful Dr.

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E.B.

answers from St. Louis on

Well I used to be an office manager for a very respected Neurology practice here in STL. I had the same problem for years... the dr's I worked for helped me figure it all out and I RARELY have headaches anymore. Now every single person's problem is different, but the brain still works in the same way. Here's what cured me:
exercise-I know, not easy to make time for or motivate, but just 10-15 min a day of cardio, helps tremendously.
caffeine-a little caffeine (I have more than a little!) but it stimulates and does help, this can come in many different forms you know.
rhinocort-this is nasal spray for allergies, I never hav had bad allergy or sinus problems that I knew of? but sometimes the headache can be the only sign.... it can be seasonal or year round... as always do your own research etc...
amitriptyline- you can do your own research and ask your dr. about it but he put me on it for headache prevention, help falling asleep and staying asleep, and anti-depression. It is an older medication that used to be used strictly for anti-depression but now Neurologists use it for a variety of things like in my case. I have never had any side effects and I have been on this medication for 6 years.
This combination of things absolutely have cured me. We had a trial and error period of course, but quality of life has been excellent since.
Good luck!

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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I have been a chronic headache sufferer since I was very young and just accepted them as a way of like until a few months ago. They started interfering with my job and with my daily life. I finally went to see a neurologist as well as a chiropractor. After taking the medication for several weeks, I am not down to about 2 headaches a month and they are not nearly as severe. I can feel them coming and take an over the counter pain medication to relieve them. I have since stopped taking the prescription medicine, but have continued to see a chiropractor weekly. So far so good. I feel like the medicine gave me that necessary break, as my body had dealt with a headache for so long. However, I definitely agree with having your blood pressure checked. I had done all of that and everything checked out OK. I also tried all that you tried, thinking it was surely something I could fix on my own. I'm glad I finally gave in and went to see a specialist. It has made an incredible change in my life! Good luck!

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B.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Dear Theresa
I would go to a health food store that you knew
that was good one and talk to one of them about
you getting these heat headachesjbecausse I know
they would have something natural for you to take
your body my be low in something.You can go to the Library
and go to their health section and see if they have a
Nutritional Healing Book BY Phyllis A. Balch I use
this book alot.
Hope this helps Have a great week. B. K.

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M.J.

answers from St. Louis on

Hi, Theresa, I have migraines (I'm down to 5 a month the last two months so I feel for you), and have seen a neurologist, chiropractor, OBGYN and regular doc, oh, and an allergist. I understand your frustration. I was wondering if you have checked your blood pressure? You mentioned the exercise part and that got me thinking. I agree about getting a second opinion. We can't avoid playing with our kids and going outside.

Good luck,

Melanie in Swansea, IL

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T.W.

answers from Columbia on

Overheating is a common trigger for migraines. There are a number of triptan medications that will help (imitrex, replax, etc.). They are expensive but are expected to be going generic soon. You may also want to consider a new doctor.

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C.M.

answers from Wichita on

Have you found out yet if you're suffering migraines or severe headaches? I've been a migraine sufferer for as long as I can remember and there are specific triggers that I can sometimes avoid. Direct sunlight heat is one of them. I've learned that I can stay in direct sunlight for about an hour before I start to feel a migraine coming on. It's one of those things, for me at least, where moderation is a must.

Most of the time I limit myself to an hour of direct sunlight with at least an hour of a major cool down period. I'm talking in-the-air-conditioned-house-with-ice-cold-lemonade-refills for at least an hour. Your body might need different time tables. A good sunblock (spf 80 is new, but works well) helps. Good luck and feel free to write me for other tips.. I have many.

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B.S.

answers from Joplin on

Staying hydrated is good. Keep that up. Forget the Ibuprofen. It raises your blood pressure. Also, have your blood pressure checked. Turns out that high blood pressure was what was causing my heat related headaches.

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E.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Hi Theresa-
Are they migraines???? I've been a migraine sufferer since I was about 7 years old. I will for sure get a headache if I'm out in the blazing sun and get too hot. I have trouble tolerating heat because I can't hardly sweat. My skin just gets sticky whereas the person next to me has sweat pouring! Do you get headaches any other times? Are there any other triggers? I've been on different migraine preventative "regimines" over the years to try to cope with it. Message me if you're interested in more of that info. If I explained everything here that I've been through with headaches, it would probably overload the server! haha
-E.

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M.S.

answers from Kansas City on

My husband also gets sick when he gets over-heated. It happens to him if he works in the yard during the summer or is just outside for an extended amount of time. He gets sick to his stomach and gets a real bad headache to where he is out of commission the rest of the day. The doctor gave him Allegra D. As long as he takes it before he goes outside, he is fine.

Hope you find something that helps!

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L.S.

answers from Wichita on

I would find another doctor. Are you sure you are not having migraines. The bright sun can set off a migraine. My only advice is to find a doctor who will get at the cause of these and there might be a preventative medicine you can take.

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J.M.

answers from St. Louis on

Since you have tried dietary changes and that is not working, I would say that they are a type of migraine. I would say that it is also structural. If the upper vertebrae (bones of the spine) are out of alignment alone you can have those types of headaches. Putting your body under a particular stress, like heat, can initiate symptoms. I have helped a lot of people with their headaches. From slight headaches, and allergy headaches to migraines. I use a light force technique where I don't have to "crack" (as some people refer to it) the neck, but use an instrument with a soft pulse to re-align the vertebrae. I also use acupuncture, both needle and non needle techniques. Please email me with any other questions.
Feel free to visit my website www.bcoh.org, ____@____.com
I hope this is helpful.
Dr. J.
ps-my business is on Mamasource and I have a Member Perk. (coupon)

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E.M.

answers from Kansas City on

This may sound strange but have you had your eyes checked? Or possibly your thyroid? My mother has problems with her thyroid to the point where she does not sweat and if she gets over heated she gets horrible headaches that have sometimes turned into a migrane which can last for days and really knock her down a notch. Just a thought you may want to bring up with your doctor. Hope that helps! E.

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K.C.

answers from Kansas City on

Find another doctor! You shouldn't have to just deal with it. I was having trouble with headaches, and i felt like it was silly to go to the dr, but when I finally did... wow! I am such a better mom these days!

K..

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