Horrible Head Pain During Cardio

Updated on September 24, 2010
S.S. asks from Osgood, IN
17 answers

ok I am 25 and pretty fit. before I gave birth to my son I use to run on a pretty regular basis (everyday exccept in the summer when it was so hot that I took up swimming and hiking instead) I stayed active during my pregnancy now a year latter I am trying to get back were I was. I am doing pretty good and have taken up jump roping. I jump rope 1 mile a day (or 1000 jumps) as part of my workout (not all at once I do 500 jumps then strength training then 200 jumps then more strength training etc) but for the past 4 days about 1 minute into my cardio I get a spliting pain in my head starting around my right eye. when I stop it goes away after only a coupl minutes. does anyone know what is causing this? It has been in the 90s and very dry so I don't know if it is because of sinuses or what. Oh and I drink plenty of water so I know thats not the problem I should clarify the pain isnt in my eye its around it/ behind in it my head like a sinus head ache but worse

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

side note I am currently uninsured and dont really have the money to go to the doctor.
Thank for the responses. I am done a lot of reserch, and I don't think an anreysum would only hurt when I jump rope. I think what I have is a excersion headache (also called weight lifters head ache) be cause it starts when my hearrate goes up and stops as soon as my heart rate goes down. I am not using insurance as an excuse not to see a doctor. and people who say that that is not a good reason boviously don't have over 3,000 dollars in medical debt because of previous uninsurance. to answer another question I am uninsured because I was on medicade because of my son but they only cover me up to a year after his birth and he turned one last mnth.

It turned out to be a sinus infection. I had a stuffy nose for a couple days while it drained but the head pain is gone!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Chicago on

This is abnormal and requires the attention of a physician. Find a way to get it done as these symptoms may be a sign of something serious.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.B.

answers from Dallas on

This happened to me before when I was younger and I was also fit. I think you might have just overdone it. Also you might just need more water even if you think you are drinking plenty, drink a bit more and do a little less. Try that and if you still have pain then budget and see a doc :)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Definitely puts it in the anuerysm or BP issue, although I am not a doctor or nurse. However, I was recently diagnosed with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease - it is genetic) but the symptoms don't really show up until later in life. My symptom - high blood pressure. Was at my OB and there it was. All my docs have asked about headaches...either due to high BP or possibility of anuerysm. I even just had an MRI done to rule out the anuerysm.

I have an at home BP machine and I take it daily to monitor (along with my BP meds). I would suggest going to Walmart or Walgreens and taking your BP there. If you have to go every day, go.

If it is elevated, it's definitely time to go see the doc. Money or not, if our child were uninsured we would do everything in our power to make them better. Why not for yourself? Who will you child have if you stroke out due to high blood pressure. Not to scare you or anything but what's the saying? "An ounce of prevention is a pound of cure"

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R..

answers from Austin on

your back or neck could be out of alignment... My cousin used to get headaches during exercise, went to a chiropractor and found out that she had a disk out, which put pressure on a nerve and caused her headaches... (or something like that...) She got an alignment and has had no issues since. (not much help to you though if you can't afford the chiropractor. :( I know how that is...)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.A.

answers from Little Rock on

Is your blood pressure lower than usual? I suffer from low blood pressure and was told to eat more salt and drink more water. I have never been a fan of salt or water. I know you are drinking water, but are you watching your sodium intake. If you are, you may be cutting too much sodium from your diet. Salt helps you retain water. Too much salt causes major water retention, but not enough salt cause you not to retain your fluids as well as you should. If you have noticed a drop in your blood pressure, this may be the problem. I know that I get a splitting headache when I bend over or am active when my blood pressure is lower that it should be.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.C.

answers from South Bend on

Yes, definitely go to one of those free blood pressure machines & find out your numbers. Also, try to find a health clinic in your area that either works on a sliding scale based on your income, or offers payment plans. You DO need to see a doctor! Like someone else said, aneurysm is a possiblity too. Chancing your life on the excuse of "I don't have insurance" is dumb. Millions of Americans don't have insurance, and Doctors know this. Plenty are willing to work with you. If doctors scared off uninsured people with high fees and no payment plans, they wouldn't have very many patients to see & their practice would go under. Doctors want to stay in business, and they want to care for the sick. Don't be intimidated by the fact you "Have no insurance". It just irritates me that many people let that term keep them from taking care of themselves! The insurance company does'nt control your life, you do! Go see see someone, for your sake & the sake of your son.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.W.

answers from Boise on

I used to get headaches behind my right eye, too. I think they are tension headaches. Are you under a lot of extra stress that is making you tighten your neck/shoulders/back or head muscles?
I also say maybe up your water even more.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.B.

answers from New York on

Definitely get BP checked. Are you uninsured because you are out of work or because you didn't buy a plan? There are many reasonable plans out there, even ones offers by each individual state. You should get insurance for both you and your son. Safeguarding both of your health is a priority---more than 1000 jumps....best of luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I think you need to let the doctor check you out. It could be any number of things. It's worthwhile to get down to the bottom of this.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Chicago on

My husband had this same thing happen, pain during exercise that was so severe he almost went to the emergency room. He scheduled an appointment ASAP with his regular doctor. It turned out he had a horrible sinus infection. He had no other sinus-related symptoms at all (he is prone to sinus trouble and is quite familiar with the usual symptoms).

I really think you need to find some way to see a doctor, though. It could be something serious and taking care of yourself is part of taking care of your son.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Evansville on

As I always suggest, go see a chiropractor. ;) You are probably out of adjustment and you have some pressure on your nerves. I recently went back to the gym myself, my littlest is almost a year. I was having some soreness in my shoulder, pain radiated up to the top of my head, horrible headaches, and my chiropractor said I had a rib out of place. Got my adjustment and right as rain.
I'm not sure if you still have the Medicaid, but some chiros accept that. Or, if you don't have insurance, it's pretty cheap. (Don't tell them that!) Just be honest with them about your pain and your financial situation and you will find that they are willing to work with you on cost. It may run you about 150 bucks total for the xrays and a couple adjustments, they usually accept payment plan, and the xrays are good for one year. (Every good chiropractor takes xrays before they adjust.)
Good luck.

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Anytime something happens when you are putting pressure on your circulatory system it really should be taken serious. Yes it could be nothing but it could suggest something to do with your circulation system or heart. Have you monitored you blood pressure lately? That would be a good place to start. You can get one for a reasonable price at Walgreens. Check it daily at the same place and time and see what your readings are.
C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.L.

answers from Hartford on

Hi S., You really should check your blood pressure. You can use the free monitors at Walmart or CVS.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, it sounds like a BP issue, I would get it checked.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'm a trainer and have clients who've developed headaches during certain exercises. I'm also a certified posture alignment and pain management specialist. What I KNOW is this.......misalignment can cause headaches and certain activities will bring that misalignment to the surface.

i.e. I have two clients who develop headaches when their head is in forward flexion, regardless of whether it is a back exercise, ab exercise or whtaever. Once I picked up on that and stopped it and re-trained some of the muscles in the upper and mid back to stabilize the head, neck and shoulders, NO HEADACHES or hints of them.

hope this helps. Let me know if you need help.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.M.

answers from Portland on

Lots of our local big-chain pharmacies have machines that will check you blood pressure for free. Probably not totally accurate, but it can give you an idea of whether there might be a problem. It could be lots of things, but blood pressure, or an aneurism, both come to mind from your description, and you don't want to neglect either one.

Insurance or not, your son needs you around for a good long time. Prioritize your health. I've paid almost 1/3 of my income for very-high-deductible insurance for over 20 years, and still have to pay ALL my medical care out-of-pocket on top of that. Yes, it's crazy-expensive. But that's life in these United States.

If you let this go, and it turns out to be something serious, it will get way more expensive down the line. Your family could end up paying another kind of cost. Better to find out now. Until you check it out, it would be a good idea to do shorter sets and stop before the pain typically starts. Walking is a healthy, low-stress exercise, too.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions