Jogging can be a strenuous activity, particularly if you are not accustomed to running or if you are exercising in the heat. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is one of the most common exercises associated with headaches because it is strenuous and sustained. Throbbing headaches caused by jogging can make the hours following a workout miserable. Take precautions and watch for warning signs to make exercise less painful.
Types of Headaches
Exercise-induced headaches come in two varieties: primary and secondary. While most exercise headaches are classified as primary, and are harmless, some are more serious and may warrant investigation. Although the cause of primary headaches after jogging are not known, they may be related to the constricting blood vessels or neck and shoulder stiffness. Secondary headaches are serious and can be caused by brain tumors, brain bleeding or problems like coronary artery disease.
Warning Signs
To determine whether your headache is actually caused by jogging or something else, pay attention to when you get similar symptoms. If a similar headache happens after sneezing, coughing, having a bowel movement or having sexual intercourse, the National Headache Foundation recommends that you visit a doctor to rule out more serious causes. Other warning signs, according to the Mayo Clinic, include a stiff neck, vomiting, loss of consciousness or double vision.
Prevention
The National Headache Foundation says you may be able to prevent jogging headaches by taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller before your workout. If you are exercising in the heat, hydrate before, during and after your jog to prevent headaches, and include a warm-up and cool-down period. If that doesn't work, you might try moving your run to an air-conditioned gym with treadmills. Because exercise headaches can also be worse at higher elevations, prepare accordingly before running.
Treatment
Treatment for a standard exercise headache is similar to that of any other headache. Because your blood will still be pumping from jogging, the headache may become severe quickly. Take a painkiller as soon as you feel the symptoms coming on and drink plenty of water so dehydration does not add to the pain. You can also eat something small after jogging so low blood sugar does not exacerbate the headache. Try therapies that work for you, including pressure point massage and cool compresses.
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