fOr some people, going for a run can trigger what\’s known as a runner\’s high, a short-lived feeling of euphoria or relaxation. But for others, running can trigger something far less pleasant: a headache.
Exercise or exertion headaches were first described by researchers in 1968. They occur during or after a period of intense, strenuous physical activity such as running, sneezing, heavy lifting, or sex.
While symptoms vary from person to person, exertional headaches typically involve a throbbing sensation on both sides of the head, which some describe as migraine-like. They can last from a few minutes to a couple of days. Some people may even experience multiple episodes of headaches.
But despite affecting between 1% and 26% of adults (and up to 30% of adolescents), scientific data on exertional headaches is still limited.
This may be because they aren\’t painful enough to stop people from exercising, they stop when people stop exercising, or because the symptoms overlap with those of other headaches (such as migraines), meaning that people are being treated for those instead. So in all likelihood, they may be more common than we think.
But where studies have been done with small numbers of people, such headaches appear to be more common in people between the ages of 22 and 40, although they most often start before the age of 30.
Men in these studies were also more likely to suffer from it, accounting for about 80% of the small number of sufferers participating. More research will be needed to establish more clearly whether men are more likely to have them, and if so, why.
Because they happen
When we exercise, blood flow to the brain increases to ensure it has enough oxygen to keep our bodies moving. But this also means that there is an increase in the amount of CO2 and heat that our brains need to get rid of. To deal with this, our blood vessels expand and this stretching can cause pain.
Since everyone has a different anatomy and physiology, for some people the additional demands that exercise places on their circulatory system can be enough to trigger a headache. But for others, certain conditions can cause exertional headaches.
Exercise in warm weather is one example. The brain naturally runs at a hotter temperature than the rest of the body and cannot dissipate heat through the skin through perspiration. The only way it can get rid of the heat is by widening blood vessels to increase blood flow through the brain, helping to carry some of the heat away.
Since hot, humid weather already raises the temperature of the brain, adding exercise to the mix only makes it hotter, leading to even more swelling of our blood vessels to cope. This may explain why some people only get the signature throbbing headache when exercising on a hot day.
Altitude training also increases the likelihood of exertional headaches. This is due to the reduced oxygen carrying capacity of the blood at altitude. This means that more blood has to go to the brain to supply all the oxygen it needs, causing swelling and triggering pain.
People with a personal or family history of migraine or migraine headaches may also be more likely to experience exertional headaches. This is likely because the same changes that lead to migraines, such as changes in blood vessel size, are also involved in exertional headaches.
How to prevent them
The exertional headache will resolve shortly after exercise is stopped. This will usually happen within an hour or two, once the heart rate has decreased and there is less oxygen demand from the brain.
But if your headache is also related to dehydration, it will likely take a little longer to resolve until you get your fluid levels back up. This typically takes about three hours.
If symptoms persist or the headache is particularly painful, over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may help. But if exertional headaches are a common experience for you, you may want to talk to your doctor about trying some prescription medications that can reduce symptoms and in some cases decrease the chances of these headaches occurring.
There are also things you can do to prevent exertional headaches from happening in the first place.
It\’s thought that strenuous exercise after a long period of inactivity can cause exertional headaches, as your cardiovascular system isn\’t fit enough to cope with the demands.
That\’s why it\’s good to gradually get back into exercise if you haven\’t exercised in a while. It\’s also helpful to warm up gradually each time you exercise to help your circulatory system cope with changes in blood pressure and flow.
Staying hydrated is also important. This ensures that the blood vessels in the brain can function properly. Adequate rest will also ensure that your brain is working at its best and help you feel less sensitive to pain.
While exertional headaches are annoying, they shouldn\’t stop you from exercising, especially in hot weather when they can be more common. Gradual warm-ups and avoiding hot days or altitude can help reduce the risk of them occurring. Trying other types of exercise that don\’t have a sustained peak heart rate level like yoga or weight lifting can be helpful.
Adam Taylor, professor and director of the Clinical Anatomy Learning Center, Lancaster University
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Read also: The study illustrates how migraine pain signals are generated and blocked
#headaches #working #prevent