Exertion Headache
I don’t know why but today I had the WORST headache when I tried to lift! It was OK (still nagging) when I stopped but the minute I lifted the barbell, the pain would increase. I got plenty of sleep the night before and I was well hydrated so what could have been the reason? I tried to lift through it (today was shoulders and I was doing clean and press) but my form was really suffering and my head felt like it was going to EXPLODE!! I finally called it quits for the day. I did get in about 45 min of cardio so it wasn’t a complete bust but I’m pretty bummed. I’ve been really consistent with my lifting, trying to "muscle up’(!!) so hopefully I can get back on track. Normally Sat is a day off but my boys have a fitness test at the gym. They have a class that will enable them to get a teen membership card (Ages 10-16) While they are doing that, I think I will run sprints and do some plyometrics. Hopefully, I’ll be 100% tomorrow!!
February 22, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Hope your getting enough water. I know dehydration can cause that.
February 22, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Thats the worse, I usually get them when I do legs, sometimes to the point where I leave half way done because its just painful
February 22, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Most of the time when that happens with me it’s either from improper breathing while lifting (especially with things like deadlifts) or if I’m not able to have a proper meal before lifting. Then again, if this isn’t regular thing for you, you may have just been going to have a headache anyway.
February 22, 2008 at 9:51 pm
I might as well jump in and play doctor too… one thing to think about with exertion type headaches is blood pressure, my training partner, who is 43, was suffering from headaches during training and they turned out to be from high blood pressure. just a thought.
February 22, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I was well hydrated, ate egg whites, oatmeal, and a cup of green tea for breakfast, and had plenty of sleep the night before…I guess it’s like Randy said…I was going to have a headache anyway!!
February 23, 2008 at 3:52 am
I don’t have a diagnosis, wishing you a fun day of sprints and plyos.
February 23, 2008 at 3:58 pm
This happened to me this tuesday! I was doing flat bench,, upped the weight, and BOOM - the headache floods over the left side of my head. It was unbearable. It settled down after i took a 5 minute break, but as soon as i grabbed the bar - slammed me again. It’s been 4 days now and every time i touch a weight it comes back. I’m not happy
February 23, 2008 at 4:36 pm
happens to me all the time. no idea why or how to avoid it
February 27, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I have been having the exact same thing happen. Started on Monday right after squats. Unbearable throbbing pain and then it just lingered for awhile. It has continued on all week. Let me know if you figure the cause/remedy.
February 28, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I’ve had this happen before. Probably due to dehydration, but I haven’t pin-pointed the cause. Congestion, perhaps?
March 6, 2008 at 12:34 pm
I think they’re called benign headaches - I’ve just had one now from tabata thrusters - it’s unbearable.
I reckon it’s down to trapped nerves in the neck. I did get them last year and a few trips to the chiropractor got rid of them but now they’re back!?
March 25, 2008 at 8:54 am
Just to chime in myself - I’d be concerned about high blood pressure, does it run in your family, you may want to get it checked-out….
The only other thing I can think of is seasonal allergies, I’m not quite sure were you live, but if it’s starting to get green - I’m sure the allergies are coming out as well.
My three cents,
clc.
May 9, 2008 at 4:08 am
According to Johns Hopkins:
Primary Exertion Headache
(or Cough headache, weight-lifter’s headache, etc.)
What is Primary Exertion Headache?
Some headaches only occur with exertion, particularly with activities that involve tensing the abdominal muscles or increasing the pressure in the chest, such as straining on the toilet, heavy lifting, coughing, sneezing, or even sexual intercourse. Primary Exertion Headaches headaches begin during or shortly after the provoking activity, and usually last seconds to minutes. With repeated exertion, the intensity may build and become longer in duration.
How is a Primary Exertion Headache diagnosed?
When first evaluating a patient with these symptoms, we generally obtain a brain MRI to rule out any serious underlying cause such as a blocked vein, or a problem at the back of the brain such as a tumor, cyst, or an Arnold-Chiari I malformation.
Once these potentially dangerous conditions are ruled out, meaning that the exertion headache is primary and not secondary, the headaches often respond to the prescription anti-inflammatory medication indomethacin or the hormonal food supplement melatonin.
May 15, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Ok so how do i get rid of them
December 18, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Have you had your neck looked at? Have you ever had whiplash? Do you ever have neck pain? I would check that especially if you are well hydrated.
January 15, 2009 at 4:56 pm
SEEMS LIKE NO ONE HAS A REAL ANSWER.
BUT HOPEFULLY THE ARTERIES IN YOUR BRAIN BECOME AS STRONG AS THEY WERE BEFORE YOU SWOLE EM UP WITH ALL THAT BLOOD PRESSURE.
February 12, 2009 at 6:13 pm
i have the exact same problem, everytime i touch the weights my head feels like its going to explode. compound movements seem to effect me the most, but moderate intensity cardio does not seem to bother me. i was really hoping someone on here would have the answer. going to see the doctor tomorrow.
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March 4, 2009 at 9:21 am
Here’s what works for me:
There’s a spot right where the base of my skull meets my spine that tenses up terribly and causes the headache. Learning to relax that area even though I’m straining keeps the headache at bay.
April 20, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I have been dealing with the same thing for 2 weeks now. I do crossfit and sometimes I can’t finish a workout because of the intesity of my headache. I finally went to the doctor and he said that somewhere where the muscles meet the skull must be bruised / injured from over-exertion. He perscribed anti-inflammatory medication and said not to work out for a week while on it. We’ll see if it works. I’ve read elsewhere that simply stopping training altogether for a month will cure it, but who wants to do that? It must heal though and get back to normal, and that is supposedly what the anti-inflammatory drug will help with.
April 27, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Has anyone been to the doctor and received a diagnosis for this? It just started happening to me out of the blue last week. I can barely lift a weight now.
July 10, 2009 at 2:51 pm
I had it two days ago. I did not know what hit me so I went to the gym again yesterday. I could NOT lift the barbell at all!! And I got this incredible pain with which I have lived for the past day just to see how long it lasts. Going to take an advil now!
The following discussion makes a lot of sense:
http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=444006
Scroll to the bottom.
I haven’t yet implemented it but am sure mine was caused due to the reasons listed at the url. Also, like the article says, it could be because of a number of reasons that one may or may not observe in the middle of activity. I am really sad, I can’t hit the gym now for atleast a week.
September 5, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I have started getting exertion headaches after my runs training for marathon. I do not get them when I run indoors on treadmill for same amount of hours (2, 3, or more). Headaches come on 3 to 4 hours After the run - throbbing monsters that do not go away for 2 or 3 days. I asked my chiropractor about it but he does not believe it has anything to do with my neck. ??? Headaches can start anywhere and then spread out and I DO feel them at the base of my skull where it meets the neck. I tried a magnesium supplement but that didn’t stop it. I read a 390 mg magnesium supplement helped a serious weight lifter. I’ve tried putting ice on my neck and head too - doesn’t go away. Nothing seems to make it go away. It is frustrating and gets in the way of enjoying the exercise of choice.
September 6, 2009 at 9:45 am
UPDATE on exertion headache relief. It was suggested to me to try a Valerian Root tea. It sounded "out there." After a 9 mile run Saturday, sure enough the throbbing monster headache came on. 3 hours into I was miserable. I went to Walgreen’s and bought a bottle of Nature’s Bounty Valerian Root capsules. At home I put a coffee mug of water in the microwave for 1 minute. Then I opened the capsule (one) and poured the powder into the cup and stirred. It has a strong smell, so I put in one packet of sweetner and stirred. I drank it. 15 minutes later I could feel the throbbing headache leave, much to my surprise. It later became just a dull headache and more tolerable. It was a blessing not to be bed ridden for 2 to 3 days w/a throbbing headache, and unable to be part of my family. I even managed to sleep that night. Normally, with the headache - the pain prevents sleep. So I will see what happens next Saturday after my 10 mile run. I am not a doctor, and not advising anyone, but, it worked for me. You may want to do your own research b/c there are some drug interactions with sedatives or anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs, so, educate yourself.
October 11, 2009 at 5:45 am
From my limited experience, it can be caused by::
1. Not warming up or stretching.
2. Improper or no breathing while exerting yourself. You must breath, don’t hold your breath too long.