The National Headache Foundation reports that approximately 29.5 million people in America have migraines. Migraine symptoms can be triggered by a variety of conditions and activities, including intense exercise. Because symptoms can be painful and debilitating, it is important to understand what causes migraines to occur and how to treat them.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic website, an exercise-induced migraine can have a variety of symptoms. These can include pain on one or both sides of the head, a throbbing in the head, nausea, light and sound sensitivity, and pain that is greater when you are physically active. You also might experience the appearance of an aura, light flashes and tingling in the arms and legs. Symptoms can last up to 72 hours.
Why They Occur
According to the National Headache Foundation, migraines occur during exercise when the brain triggers the release of chemicals that cause the blood vessels on the brain's surface to swell. The swollen blood vessels then transmit pain signals to the brainstem, which is responsible for processing the body's pain. In addition to blood vessel swelling, the levels of serotonin drop in the body, triggering the release of neuropeptides, which results in pain in the head and face.
Treatments
The Food and Drug Administration has approved several over-the-counter medications to treat migraines. These include medications that contain ibuprofen, aspirin, caffeine and acetaminophen. For severe and chronic exercise-induced migraines, a doctor can also prescribe a medication such as sumatriptan, frovatriptan or eletriptan. These medications can reduce not only pain, but also light sensitivity and nausea. But these medications can have side effects such as weakness, dizziness and nausea.
Prevention
To prevent exercise-induced migraines, warm up slowly before exercising. Starting a vigorous exercise routine too suddenly can result in a migraine. Because obesity can be associated with migraines, it is important to continue exercising to shed excess pounds. Try less-intense exercises such as swimming, walking or bike riding. In addition, consider keeping a journal of when migraine symptoms occur. You might discover that a certain scent or an activity other than exercise is the trigger.
Considerations
When a migraine hits, try stopping exercise and lying down in a quiet, darkened area, according to the FamilyDoctor website. Place a cool washcloth or compress over your head, and gently massage or put pressure on your scalp and temples. These steps can help reduce pain and discomfort. Some medications can cause side effects such as chest pain if taken in large doses, so consult a doctor if pain is intense and not controlled by the recommended dosage of over-the-counter products.
