Hi ladies,
I often get a bad headache after exercising. I'm very healthy, but have always tended toward heat exhaustion. If I drink enough that I am super-hydrated, most of my exercise is running to the bathroom! I'm wondering whether it's a blood pressure issue (usually it's very low, 110/60) since after exercising I feel like I can sense my blood rushing through my head; or if it's an issue of carrying tension, as the pain often comes from where my skull meets my spine. Any thoughts? Astonishingly, doctors' usual response is, "well, stop exercising, or don't do more than walk."
I have always had this problem, and it is related to my allergies. I take two Advil before I workout, and this usually takes care of the problem. I would try it, and if it doesn't help, I would see another doctor, because you may have a more serious medical problem.
What kind of exercise do you do? And do you make sure to warm up before? I get pain & tension in my neck and shoulders if I don't warm up properly before I run on the treadmill or something similar. If that's not it then maybe try a different type of exercise for a few weeks. Something less strenuous or low-impact might make a big difference. Don't give up!
How is your breathing? If you are breathing in pants or have your general lung capacity decreased (common during allergy season and after any illnesses) this could be causing you not to be getting enough oxygen during your exercise routines leading to headaches.
I know dehydration is often associated with dizziness or headaches after/during exercise, but it can also be lack of carbohydrates. You might not be eating enough carbs to act as energy for your exercising. Try eating a very small bowl of pasta or a bunch of fruit 1 hour before you exercise. Also, it can be the time of the day. Not everyone is built for early morning exercise before breakfast. Some people have to eat breakfast first and allow their body to warm up/wake up before exercising. By the way, 110/60 is not low for blood pressure. It's normal. High blood pressure is anything over 120/80.
Do you check your blood pressure right after exercise? It sounds like that or dehydration. If you drink enough water everyday after a couple of weeks you won't be running to the bathroom all night. It has been explained to me that when we drink a lot but don't do it regularly the body doesn't adjust but if you drink it consistantly after a while the body says huh I guess she is serious about this so it will adjust and you won't be running all night long. If it were me I would get a blood pressure kit and take it before and after. Good Luck.
I have a similar problem, and my neurologist diagnosed it as "exertion migraines". She told me to take Motrin before exercising, which usually works. I do have to be careful to not overdo it, though. And, I know there are certain exercises that will make me get a migraine even if I've taken Motrin... Good luck!
Might be an exertion migraine...but I would maybe also see if it's an electrolyte imbalance? Something like Gatorade or Powerade has electrolytes in it so maybe try replenishing/hydrating with that during your workouts and see if that helps?
It is somehow blood pressure related, I have the same thing - sometimes drinking coffee makes it go away... but ADVIL liquid works the best.
Hi W.,
I know what you're going through. I think, since it's not a question of hydration, that if you stretch your spine at least a few minutes two or three times a day and invert a few minutes at least twice a day, you'll find your headaches abating. Inversion is SO helpful (reversing gravity's pull on your spine) and the stretching of the spine (backbends or even front bends over a big exercise ball or leaning over the edge of your bed for example) make all the difference!
"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA
How much water are you actually drinking? Lots of people make the mistake of over-hydrating which can actually cause your's body's sodium levels to be diluted too much, which can trigger headache and other symptoms--sometimes severe. You should consider how much you are already drinking and consult with an excercise physiologist about how much you should be drinking to make sure you are not over-hydrated. It can be very dangerous. Good luck.
This question was just on dr oz. Aside from hydration, he said during exercise, make sure you are doing belly breathing, not chest up and down but belly up and down.
A friend of mine has this problem. Her trainer told her to eat something with carb and protein combo about 30 mintues before working out--something light. And then she has protein after, yogurt usually. If she does get a headache, it goes away quickly now. Another thing may be tensing your shoulders while exercising. A lot of times you are paying more attn to the workout and not your form. This ios something I sometimes do and have to check myself or Iget tension in my neck and a headache.
Heaches 'after excercise' can be a sign of IRON DEFICIENCY. But do not take supplements until you know for sure by gettig a blood test.
Iron is a heavy metal , and it does not leave tissue easily. It can build up quickly and cause poisoning and even death. So, get a blood test.
Because iron is so hard to release, there is usually a malfunction somewhere in the body when low iron is present. Bleeding ulcer, excessive menstruation,or stomach parasites like the bacteria H pylori. In fact bacteria needs the host's iron to surive and replicate.
The other possibility is a magnesium deficiency. general heaches and migraines are classic signs. Magnesium malate, 500 mg a day, or magnesium citrate would be a prudent thing to try. Most people are very low on MG because our common diet does not include the richest sources.
