Why Do You Have a Headache After Exercising and How Can You Get Rid of It? Fitness and Health11:01 | 25 May 2023

Tension headaches were first described in 1968. This type of pain occurs during or after intense physical activity. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but usually include a throbbing sensation on both sides of the head. These pains can last from a few minutes to two days. Tension headaches are known to affect 1 to 26% of adults and up to 30% of adolescents. However, scientific data on them is still not so much.

Current research shows that tension-type headaches are most common in people between the ages of 22 and 40, and usually begin before age 30. Also, men are more likely to experience similar pain.

During exercise, blood flow to the brain increases to give the body enough oxygen. It also means that the brain has more CO₂ and heat to expel. To deal with this, the blood vessels dilate and this can cause pain.

Everyone’s physiology and anatomy is different, so exercise can cause headaches for some people. It is seen that such pains are caused by external factors. For example, from doing sports in hot weather, training at heights.

Tension headaches usually go away on their own after some exercise. It happens that such pains are associated with dehydration: then try to drink enough water and the headache will pass in three hours.

If your headache still persists, over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help.

If you have not done sports for a while, gradually return to the load. This will help prevent headaches. In addition, it is helpful to warm up gradually before each workout to help the circulatory system cope with changes in blood pressure and blood flow.

News cannot be equated with a doctor’s prescription. Consult an expert before making a decision.