If you get pain in the side of your head from walking on a treadmill, it's possible you have an exercise-induced headache. According to MayoClinic.com, headaches caused by exercise are a fairly common problem, especially if you perform strenuous exercise. However, if you haven't exercised much lately prior to walking on the treadmill, or if your pain came on suddenly and feels severe, visit your physician to rule out any more serious problems.
Exercise-Induced Headaches
Exercise headaches come in two types: primary exercise headaches, caused by the exercise itself, and secondary exercise headaches, caused by an underlying condition but triggered by the exercise. Although people who swim, run, row, play tennis or lift weights get primary exercise headaches more often than those who walk on treadmills, it's possible that your pain in the side of the head stems from your treadmill walking.
Symptoms
Sufferers of primary exercise headaches often describe the pain as throbbing, and frequently say it occurs on both sides of their heads, according to MayoClinic.com. Secondary exercise headaches often feature the same symptoms, but can also cause you to throw up, lose consciousness, experience double vision or suffer from a very stiff neck. If you have any symptoms of secondary exercise headache, see a physician immediately.
Causes
Once your physician rules out serious problems in your brain, focus on ways to eliminate the pain in the side of your head that you get from walking on the treadmill. It's possible the pain stems from dehydration; drinking plenty of water before and during your treadmill workout can solve this problem. You may also be breathing improperly, so make sure to take deep breaths. Having weak muscles also can trigger headache pain, so continuing your workouts should strengthen your muscles and solve your pain problem.
Considerations
Your physician may prescribe medication to prevent exercise-induced headaches. According to MayoClinic.com, you can take either an anti-inflammatory drug or a medication to reduce blood pressure to solve your exercise-induced headache problem. If you and your physician decide to take this approach, you may need to take the medication every day to prevent this type of pain.
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