After an intense workout, you expect to feel tired, but also good, due to the mood-lifting endorphins released when you exercise. Unfortunately, headaches can sometimes also be the result of a vigorous workout. Most of the time, an effort headache is nothing to worry about and will dissipate in time. If you never get headaches and are suddenly plagued with pain after an intense workout, call your doctor for advice.
Causes
The specific causes of some exercise-induced headaches may vary according to the way you work out. Going into an intense workout without properly hydrating can cause dehydration and a lingering headache. The same may be true if you suffer from low blood sugar by exercising on an empty or near-empty stomach. A common cause of headaches after strenuous physical activity, called an effort headache, is due to the dilation of the blood vessels and sinuses that occurs during times of physical exertion. This type of headache is also referred to as a vascular headache.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a headache that you experience after weightlifting, running or other workouts are fairly standard in most people. Some athletes suffer from migraines during and after intense exercise. Sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and eye pain may accompany the vice-like pain in your head. Non-migraine post-exercise headaches are commonly described as being a sustained, throbbing pain that can range in intensity. Women are more likely to develop exercise-induced headaches than men.
Medications
Over-the-counter NSAID medications like ibuprofen, naproxen or acetaminophen may be used to reduce the discomfort of an exercise-induced headache. Prescription migraine medication may also be used both as a preventative tool and a treatment for post-workout pain.
Warnings
Exercise-induced headaches accompanied by neck pain or stiffness, lightheadedness, vomiting or changes in consciousness can indicate serious problems, including the possibility of bleeding in the brain. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if your headache lasts for more than a day, seek immediate medical attention.
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