Headache after hard workout

chadlykins

 Hi everyone,

I get a severe headache after nearly every hard workout.  By "hard," I mean my HR gets to 90% or above for more than 20 minutes.  I don't think that it is dehydration of salt loss, as I've loaded up on both before many workouts.  It really seems to be an issue of the blood vessels in my head hating me.  Has anyone else had this problem and found a way to deal with it, other than making a fistful of painkillers part of your recovery meal?

Thanks,

Chad

Steven Ford

When I read the subject my first thought was dehydration, but you say you have that covered. Are you drinking during your workout and afterwards? I would weigh myself before and after your workouts just to make sure. I know I sweat BUCKETS.

How is your blood pressure?

I bet a few of the DR's here will chime in.

kurshing

90%...how often do you get to 90%? I would think I might have headaches if I worked out that hard too! I only get up to about 85% as a maximum with the workouts I have been doing in this Haus.

Not sure what the problem might be...I am just not sure on why you actually get to 90%...it seems that that that HR is past what is needed and could certainly be difficult to fully recover from.

That being said...I DON'T wear a HR monitor running anymore (since we train with pace) and maybe some of the track workouts would get me to 90%...not sure.

jburbatt

I used to get some pretty bad headaches/nausea after running sessions that were either hard or in hot conditions. I found that taking a good 15-20 cool down walk (post-cool down run), followed by some stretching, then a cold shower helped control them for the most part. Not sure if it was coming down too fast from the intensity or that the slow ending just helped my body to relax, but they went away once I started doing that. I also sometimes use one of those mask things you stick in the freezer, which also helps sometimes- just used it the same time I was icing down my knees

aarondavidson1

Chad you say that you load up prior, but how long are the workouts and how long in do the headaches start. You say 90% for more than 20minutes, but at what point in the workout is that?

"90%" may really be a whole lot closer to your max HR than you think, or it could still be dehydration. Is this run only?

mgraffeo

I usually get pretty bad headaches later in the day after pushing hard in a race, but seldom in training. If it's happening a lot, I'd say something is out of whack. Don't really know what to suggest.

Mike

t.mellinger

Is this something that started happening recently??

Can you take your blood pressure when you start getting your headache. Not to alarm you, that was my main symptom of my heart attack, although for me it was more of an ear ache. I didn't catch it till the second time which was much worse than the first. I'm wondering if it could be related to blood flow. Sounds like something you should really get checked out(check your blood pressure if you can, you can get a descent blood pressure cuff for 100.00)..

DocHoffart

Does it matter if it is on the bike or run?

Vince

mvkim13

I am also wondering about this. I get headaches during events when I am pushing it somewhat. I went to the doctor and he said some people just get excercise induced headaches, something to do with capillaries in the head. I started taking caffeine pills and that really helps keep veins dilated in my brain. I am wondering if anyone else has this problem and what they do, for I am finding that it gets worse as I am getting older.

Colleen Doody

Are you taking your weight before and after your workout to make sure that you're not dehydrated? Loading up on water and salt beforehand might not be enough for a difficult workout in hot weather.  If your weight is significantly (i.e. 3 percent or more) lower afterward, you're dehydrated. I've had headaches after long runs due to lack of electrolytes. Drinking a good recovery drink like Infinit helped.