Exercise-induced thunderclap headaches can be more than just painful and debilitating -- they can also be dangerous. Although uncommon, thunderclap headaches can signal a serious medical complication or issue that requires immediate medical attention. This makes it extremely important to understand what causes them to occur and how they can be treated.
Definition
Thunderclap headaches are sudden, severe headaches in which extreme pain peaks within about a minute of starting. They can last anywhere from an hour to more than a week. Pain can develop anywhere in the head or neck. You can also experience stiffness in the neck, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness or even leakage of blood into the spinal fluid. According to the National Headache Foundation, most thunderclap headaches are benign and do not reoccur.
Causes
Thunderclap headaches can occur during exercise if your blood pressure elevates severely. In addition, you can experience one if you practice extreme or excessive exertion during exercise. This can contribute to blood vessel ruptures in the brain, which can trigger a thunderclap headache. Exercise can also exacerbate underlying medical conditions that contribute to thunderclap headaches such as blood clots, artery tears, infections like encephalitis or meningitis, or brain tumors.
Treatments
Seek medical attention if you experience a thunderclap headache. A doctor needs to thoroughly evaluate you, possibly performing a spinal tap and CT scan to determine any underlying medical conditions or problems. If a doctor does not discover a problem and these headaches are chronic, he can prescribe medications such as propranolol or indomethacin to help treat and discourage thunderclap headaches from reoccurring. Take these medications daily or about an hour before you exercise, or as your doctor prescribes.
Prevention
Exercising in hot or humid weather can bring about exercise-induced headaches, notes MayoClinic.com. Exercise indoors with a fan or air conditioner running to help control the heat and humidity in the air. If you develop thunderclap headaches when doing certain exercises or physical activity, refrain from doing these exercises when working out. In addition, always warm up before your exercise routine to prevent exercise-related headaches.
