Why does working out give me a headache

Be sure not to ignore your thirst—thirst is a simple rule to hydrate enough. If your dehydration is due to a hangover and coupled with lack of sleep, you're better off taking a rest day, says Dr. If you are well hydrated and caught up on sleep, a headache brought on by your workout might be due to stress, Dr.

Being stressed means that you have higher cortisol levels , according to the Mayo Clinic, and since exercise can drive it up even more, that can increase your chances of getting a headache when you work out. But if you think moving your body might make you feel better, you may want to consider swapping your regular routine with something more chill—say, maybe a brisk walk instead of your HIIT strength circuit.

Yoga can also tamp down the stress response, as SELF previously reported. Taking time to do poses like the cat-cow, seated forward fold, and savasana can help you relax. Reed suggests making an appointment with your doctor, especially if the headaches are getting progressively worse.

The good news is primary exertion headaches are the most common headaches brought on by exercise, Dr. And according to the Mayo Clinic, these are usually harmless and not tied to any underlying health condition. But there are other causes of headaches that might mimic exercise headaches that you should know about. The concern there would be a sudden brain bleed, stroke, or a tumor, he says. SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

Improper form can cause a workout headache. Stress can cause a headache during or after your workout. If the headache goes away, you can try getting back into your workout—but warm up first. Warming up before any type of exercise, strenuous or not, gradually increases your heart rate and gets your blood flowing to prepare your body for activity, which can also ward off exertion headaches. Working too hard is the main cause of exertion headaches.

But like migraines, this type of headache also has triggers,. Dehydration, sleep deprivation , blood pressure issues and your food and drink choices such as chocolate, alcohol, caffeine could all trigger an exertion headache after or during a workout.

Your best defense in this situation? Keeping well-hydrated, eating regularly, and getting enough sleep, to see if those changes keep the after-exercise head pain at bay, Erin Manning, MD, assistant attending neurologist at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, tells Health.

The AMF suggests taking naproxen 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to hit the gym. But it might be a good idea to fill your doctor in on this, since even over-the-counter pain meds can have side effects. It's also wise to reevaluate your situation and treatment approach after six months of taking OTC medication, to see if it's still necessary. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic.

Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Cutrer FM, et al. Cough, exercise, and sex headaches. Neurology Clinics. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Accessed Jan. Ropper AH, et al.

New York, N. Cutrer FM. Exertional headaches.