Headaches when working out. What could be wrong

[phishers]

Whenever im pushing myself during working out, whether its a set of push ups or lifting weights at the end of the set when im really pushing like when my face will get red, i will get a pretty bad headache pretty much forcing me to discontinue the workout.  Just has started happening the last week, but it always seems to happen. Do I have a brain tumor or something, whats wrong? =(  

Thanks
Zach

[willtme]

Headache can be a symptom of heat exhaustion.  If you work out primarily outdoors, this could be the cause.  Dehydration can promote heat exhaustion.  Regardless of whether you perform exercise indoors or out, you should drink sufficient water when you exercise.  The recommendation is 10 glasses a day for adults and taking drinks every 15-20 minutes during workouts.  Sports drinks and juices can replace lost nutrients during exercise.  

Some sports supplements are known to cause headaches.  If you currently use supplements, try cycling out one thing at a time to see if something you are taking is causing the headaches.  

Other things to do:
Limit caffeine and alcohol intake, take a multivitamin, have a balanced diet, limit sodium, and get plenty of sleep.  

A final thing, if you are overtraining or performing exercises with "bad form", you can be putting excess stress on your body which could result in a headache.

[phishers]

Well no heat exhaustion or dehydration. i am currently cycling out the supplements with no luck so far, i think im gonna give it another week before i go back on.  I did see something online about tension headaches, which are usually from bad posture, and i have a job where i sit down all day, so thats the only thing i can think of so far which holds any weight.  Im a pretty healthy dude, could eat some more greens maybe but, other then that im in good shape.  The headaches just started all of sudden which is the weird part.  

Thanks for feedback

[phishers]

Well no heat exhaustion or dehydration. i am currently cycling out the supplements with no luck so far, i think im gonna give it another week before i go back on.  I did see something online about tension headaches, which are usually from bad posture, and i have a job where i sit down all day, so thats the only thing i can think of so far which holds any weight.  Im a pretty healthy dude, could eat some more greens maybe but, other then that im in good shape.  The headaches just started all of sudden which is the weird part.  

Thanks for feedback

[STOWMAN]

Zach,

I have exactly the same symptoms you describe.  It just started for me about 10 days ago.  I can do a light workout without a problem but if I am doing squats, leg presses, leg extensions and am exerting myself at say 90% I will get a throbbing headache in the back of my head right above my neck.  I have to stop working out immediately and usually clasp my head in my hands and will have this headache for hours later.  I have been working out for years and never had anything like this.  I added kefir to my diet about 1 month ago and I am going to eliminate this from my diet in an effort to rule it out.  It's the only real change I have made in my diet.  I will post again when I find out what's going on.  I may also contact my doctor, because like you I thought there is always the possibility of a tumor.  Let's hope not for both of our sakes.

Hank

[TheIrishCurse]

Hey Everyone,

I used to have the exact same problems.  I went and saw a Dr. and he said I had most likely strained my neck while lifting.  So whenever my neck and shoulders would tense up during a particularly strenuous rep, the strained nerves in my neck would cause a headache.  He said if I just quit working out for a while and gave my neck a chance to heal, I would be fine.  

In any event, I stopped strength training for a couple of months, and when I started up again I was okay.  Previously I had tried taking a 2 or 3 weeks off, but it wasn't enough.

Hope this helps.

-TIC

[penwill]

Get checked for a pinched nerve in your neck, if you have one , and it sounds real possible, You want to get it adjusted before its to severe.......................See a chiro take my word. Also have your blood pressure checked.

[Rino]

I had a similar problem.  I found out that it was my cervical vertebrae getting out of alignment and pressing on some nerves.  A chiropractor adjusted me and never had the problem again.

[waupunlifter]

thanx evryone for all the coments i was looking around to see what could posibly be wrong with me i thought i also had a tumor thanx for all the info

[Tha Doc]

hey, i read this article because i too have recently been getting headaches during my workout. i am 16, good shape and have been lifting for a couple of years now. i have also currently added lipo 6 to my daily vitamins and supplements to cut up a bit. i was wondering if this could have caused the headaches. i have been taking them for about a month now though so i wasnt sure if that was really the problem since it has just started happening in the past few days. if anyone can give me any kind of help or info, please do so. my email address is ***@****. thanks for the help.

[volleyballintrainin(15)]

i did 200 squats and the headache came right after that i never had it b4 n when i message areas on my head it hurts bad is it the same? what can i do? i was in bad form when i did it still hurts till now hope someone helps me

thx

[Paul764]

This sounds like a Primary Exertional Headache.
This is like a Primary Cough Headache because it  accurs as a result of increased pressure to the head, particularly if the exertion is from lifting weights.
While straining to heave a weight you may inadvertently do what's called a Valsalva Maneuver, which is the term for trying to exhale while holding your breath.
this increases pressure in blood vessels in the head.

[ryan9119]

this happened to me as well i think, i havnt seen a doctor or anything but i was riding up a pretty steep hill and must of had my neck crunched up....got THE WORST headache ever. 2 days later i was doing some "self maintenance" and was struck down again.  guess i have to lay off excercise and sex for a while.

at least i hope thats all

[anonymousanomaly]

I have had the exact same problem.  This is second day with it.  It occured yesterday when I was doing bench presses.  On my last set I guess my for was not the best that or I was not breathing properly when all of sudden I felt a strong pinched sensation in the back of my neck/lower head.  The pain causes a headache but what is odd is that it stays only on the one side of my brain (the left).  The headache stayed for the rest of the night and I was fine in the morning.  I went back to the gym in the afternoon and decided to do some simple exercises pullups pushups and dips.  But it wasn't until I did again my last set of my last exercise of dips that the headache came back..again I decided to push and do about 30 dips.  I found myself clasping my head in my hands as the pain was impossible to work through.

[kevinr515]

hey, my is kevin, and im 15 years old, i think i have the same problem u've been talking about, two weeks ago i was working out and i got such a bad headache that i fell off my machine and was on the floor for five minutes before i could see. It was the first time it happened and i wasnt even trying to do more weight than usual. It's been getting worse and now if i even lift a heavy bag of trash my head throbs and no pain relivers work. My vision goes bad and i lose my balance. It's only getting worse. Do i need to see a doctor?

[RaeRae5]

last Wednesday I was doing squats when a pain shot through the left side of my head.  There was an article posted in our local paper about brain hemmoraging and almost all your symptoms were listed.... I am going to the Doctor tomorrow to find out what exactly happened to me.  Hoping it is just a pinched nerve that will heal on it's own.  You should definitely go see a Dr as soon as possible.  When it comes to certain areas of our body, one can never be too careful

[marissposa]

Hi Kevin,  I think you definitely need to ask your parents to take you to a doctor.

[sportsjunkie29]

I agree w/ Paul764, almost all of the cases above sound like Exortional headaches which is mainly caused by poor breathing techniques (mainly holding your breath while straining to get that final rep or two) while exerting a lot of stress during.  The most common exercises to cause these are squats and leg extensions.  If you get this the best advice to to take at least 2-3 weeks off of strength training.  IF you don't take time off the condition can be chronic.  When you go back to strength training really focus on taking short quick but easy (dont force out air real hard) breaths.  This will take some time to get used to.  Good luck and stay healthy.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How are you?
Some people get headaches during exercise. These headaches are completely physiological. Please remember to do warm up exercises. Also maintain your fluid intake throughout the work out.
A mild OC pain killer before exercise will also help. Take care!

[gocowboysgo]

Ok i have kiinda a weird symptom simular to this. I was also working out one day last set last rep strained and had a huge head ache in the back of my head on the right side right above my neck. It felt like i stained my seck sort of but i can definitely tell it has something to do with my breating and also some exercises or movments. Ok but heres the reallly weird thing. This happened aobut a week ago, i went to work out a couple days ago and slightly came back again(not weird part). Ok the reallly weird part is yesterday and this mortning when i was using the restroom there was a good amount of blood mixed in with the stool. Im only 20 and in good shape, dont drink much smoke some but generally healthy. Was wondering if the blood could have been cause by this straining and headache i had. When it happened yesterday it was a very good about of blood mixed in adn today not so much just a slight amount. Hoping this isnt colon cancer or anything as i dont have insurance at the moment which i found out yetsterday while talking to my dad. Any advice would b much appreciated.

[gocowboysgo]

also i got the head ache again the day before yesterday while yelling at a parent who wouldnt shut up at a football game, im an official. Also a couple days before that while working out for the first time since it first happened

[Dee85]

go to a neuro or chiropractic, my mom had the same problem.

[phil_head_pain]

hello all,

was searching on th net for "types of head aces" when i found this site...
same symptons, severe head ache will doing weights, real pulsing sensation, feel like my head is going to explode, feel every heart beat as well firing off in my head, hands pressed to either side of my head...
also during "a work out" with my girl friend the same thing happened...

i have a dull head ache after, neck pain as well, right at the top where my neck joins to my head...

does this go away by it self, should i get it checked by a dr, will a dr be aware of this type of thing, did any body get brushed of by their dr...?

please advise on what to do...

[akemp0210]

I have been dealing with migraines since I was 14, now I am 21 and still deal with them on a daily basis. Dr's finally ran some tests when I was 16 and discovered a beignen tumor in my heart (this was suppose to be the reasoning behind my migraines) they went away for a few months and then came back full fledge ever since. I cannot work out, I cannot be in the sunlight for too long, Over sleep, under sleep, cannot be around flouresent lights (which are in every store, gym, dr. offices, schools, etc) Ive been on every single medication for migraines that they've come out with. Nothing works...  I would love to be able to workout once again but anything with alot of head movement (sit ups, pushups, running) Im out for 2 days. I just want them to figure out what is wrong already, its been 7 years of a lot of restrictions. I just want to live a normal lifestyle. HELP!

[trish934]

strong i believe it has something to do with poor circulation! not enough oxygen and energy being transported to the brain. think you'll need to stop and take deep breaths. also see your physician could be mild stroke or something my uncle stuffer those but it may differ with each individual.

[Weslahurd]

Omg! I am so glad I am not the only one going through this. I thought I had some tumor or was about to have something explode in my head. I am 23 years old, pretty great health, could eat some more greens, and well thats about it. One thing I have noticed is that "your" pains are all in the back of "your" necks. Mine is above my temple but it occurs after I start my flat bench, when I am really straining myself.  It starts out with a throbbing sensation and it gets so unbearable I cannot even push through it to complete my workoutI have not been to the gym since Friday 6:00 p.m. and it is now Tuesday 10:22 A.M. and I kinda feel its prescence.. Similar to a bruise, but again there was no blunt force put on my temple. Simply working out in the gym. Does it make a difference if it is in my temple rather than my neck? Any ideas guys. Please email me with any suggestions. ***@****

[jayv1985]

The same exact thing happened to me on the flat bench last monday. I was putting up a lot for my weight but nothing crazy, on my 7th or 8th rep it just started pounding. Went to my physician and he told me it had something to do with to much strain in my muscles connecting my back to my neck. He said take advil or some type of pain killer 2-3 times a day for four days. Then give ur stomach a break from the pain killers for 3 days. Then back on for 3-4 days and slowly get back into lifting weights and treat it as if it were an injury. He said it could potentially stem from sitting at a computer desk for extended period of hours with bad posture.

[jayv1985]

Also, i tried working out the next day but anything i did brought the pounding headache back. The doctor checked my blood pressure, checked the pressure in my head and said everything was normal as far as that so he was confident it was a muscle strain.

[goochlife2]

Last monday, during my last set of bench, I got this terrible pain in my head. It was so bad I did not feel like lifting again. It has happened everytime I lift for now on, and i try to just bear it and continue. I have been taking NO Xplode since the beginning of the summer and Cell Mass, so I dont think thoses are the issue. It cant be from lifting too heavy cause were at the stage where we are going light weight with more reps. any suggestions?

Kyle

[AMB17]

It happened to me the other day. Really bad headache on the last couple reps, made me stop workingout.  I went to a brain doc and he said it can happen among weightlifters because there is a lot of pressure in your brain during workouts.  the headache is called a Thunderclap.

[dumbheadaches]

i get the same headaches! mainly during the 1st couple of sets when i realy push myself. its so painful that it has me on my knees grasping my head. im 20 years old drink tonnes of water, healthy as an apple, dont drink alcohol  or smoke or any of that ****. i dont understand, it *****! :( im going to realy concentrate on my breathing next couple of workouts then report back the results, but i dont think breathing is my problem....

[gsd1111]

hey guys,

this happened to me too. this is a serious comment, and I'm looking for answers: this started happening first, not with lifting, but with masturbating. after two painful masturbating sessions, I googled it and it said it might be an orgasmic headache. I've been working out for a year and a half, and I worked out after I had these painful experiences, and the same pain occurred when I bench pressed. so my question is, for those who masturbate, is there pain there too? for me they must be related, and I'm wondering if it's the same for you.

[bf2k8sr]

Yes it happens to me in both lifting and close to climax in sex (maturbation).  I started taking this muscle gainer (hormone pill) about one month ago and I really think that has been the cause for me.  The supplement is called S-Drol.  I have been working out hard since I was in middle school, and I am now 30.  This happened to me before and if I take some time off, do more cardio, and quit the supplement, it usually goes away.  I also drink a lot on weekends and probably need to cool off on that aspect as well.  I suggest taking some time off on heavy lifting.  My wife and I are going to do a lot more yoga over the next few days and see if that helps get rid of the pain.  I might start back on the weights later next week, and I'm going to the doctor Monday.

[Dr Vinod]

Stress causes head ache, even while masturbating when you do it for the sake of doing, it is habit forming, you do it aggresively you will have this head ache.
Sex is a thing which should be relaxing and everything is in the brain. So all the forms of sex, like oral, masturbating you should be at ease and relaxed.

Masturbating is habit forming and should be discouraged and there is a controversy between many Psyciatrists on this topic. Going for a regular partner/wife is always good .
Lead a stress free life and Yoga is a good idea.

Take care!

[MrPump]

Hey there folks, regarding the headaches in the back of the neck near the head, throbbing, very painful etc. It first happened to me on a saturday workout. I was doing incline dumbell curls. it happened again recently while doing lats on a machine at the gym. both times it was on a day off where I had slept in late, ate breakfast and had coffee, waited for a while (couple hours) and then started the workout. So I was relaxed and not tense. I was used to doing workouts after work in the evening and I usually drink coffee only early in the morning.
My doctor says that I have strained tendon(s) and related it to a tension migraine which occurs to many people on a saturday morning because the tension and stress of the week are released and one is relaxed on their day off. I think he used the term "let down" phase (don't quote me on that)
So he told me to use a hot water bottle on my neck 4 times a day, 15 minutes at a time for about ten days. I don't remember how long I waited before working out again the first time it happened. I will start up easy though when I do get back to it.
My suggestion: let it heal, it will heal. my trainer says it has happened to him in the past too. there is nothing wrong with doing intense sets with great effort on the last few reps, that's how you grow. Just watch your form and be careful. I am no expert but I am learning.

God bless you all.

[jimmyjunko]

I have been doing P90X for 6 months now & currently I am in the 6th week of the second 2nd round of P90x. The last week or so I have been battling these headaches which occur on the right side of my neck/head. Sometimes I can catch it before it explodes into a full blown headache and I let it dissipate for about 5 or 10 min before I start again. Other times it comes on so fast I have to stop completely and not work out for a couple of days because it tends to linger even overnite. Last night I went out to rollerblade and about  5 min. into blading It came on again. I let it subside and felt fine the rest of the nite. This morning I do feel a lingering dull headache in the usual spot. I made an appt. with a neurologist next week.

[Dr Vinod]

You have to evaluate your case properly as your headaches do not occur with day to day activities.
Whenever you work out or do some form of exercise you tend to have these headaches.
This can be stress induced migraine and you have to try different forms of exercises which would be relaxing to you. Try discussing these things with your neurologist. You have to fnd out the triggering agent.
You should wear proper foot wear, follow proper ergonomics, positions etc. Any good trainer would help you on this.
Take care

[steveng]

I got 4 of these headaches/ throbbing pains within the year too while lifting. After a week of rest, it would go away. But it came back today. There could be so many reasons! It could be wisdom teeth, taking creatine, strain on the neck, and breathing. God..what is it?!

[Dr Vinod]

Again the most important thing in these cases is to identify the triggering agent. If it is exercise then you have to take proper food, rehydrate yourself properly during exercises and avoid exercises which causes this headache.Avoid smoking, alcohol and have balanced diet. Try to relax and do not be in stress. Take care!

[HelloRizzudo]

I have a similar problem with those listed above. I've been strength training for about 8 months now, and ive never had any problems. But in the past couple of weeks ive been getting a dull pounding headache in the front of my head just when beginning to work out, even doing simple things like push-ups. The headache is so bad that it causes me to have to stop working out, and its getting frustrating. I dont know if i need to drink more water, or if im breathing wrong, and im seriously considering seeing a doctor

[Dr Vinod]

Go to a General Physician and check your vitals.
It might be that you have a mild sinusitis. Did you have any viral cold during the time you had these headaches? This may be one factor.
Take care and diagnose the problem medically so that you will be rest assured if you have no problem to continue your workouts. Proper sleep and stress free living is also necessary.
Take care!

[BDids]

I get these weight lifting headaches too.  I'm 28, great physical condition, pretty damn healthy if you ask me.  The first time I had them was for about a month and a half a couple years ago.  Everytime I went to the gym I would get them like clockwork.  I was fine until I pushed my body to the limit.  I fought to get through the workouts, often quitting early.  I went to the doctor and they tried to give me migraine meds.  I didn't take them because I don't like to take meds if I don't have to.  I went to a chriopractor, and she took care of it with an adjustment.  She said that I most likely pinched a nerve in my traps/neck area.  I haven't gotten a headache for over a year now, until the other day.  I was benching 225lbs and I felt something in my neck around the 8th rep.  The headaches were back.  F***!  I thought I was rid of these things.  The difference now is that I constantly feel dizzy all day.  I sit in front of the computer all day and I just have a constant lightheaded feeling.  I know that the headache will return today when I get to the gym.  I love lifting weights and getting stronger and don't ever want to give it up.  But these headaches are are so painful and they don't go away after the workout.  They linger around the rest of the night.  I'm going to the chiropracter tomorrow (the 2nd time for this case of headaches).  The first time I went, I thought it would do the trick but I did about 15 pullups yesterday as a test and I felt the headache ready to hit me so I stopped.  Anyways, don't let these stupid headaches stop you in your tracks.  They'll eventually pass.  I don't like working out half assed and can't wait for these things to pass so I can get back to banging those heavy weights again.  Right now, it truly feels like I'm killing myself in the gym with these damn headaches.

[Dr Vinod]

You have to remember that your ultimate goal is weight lifting and for this short term you have to quit it.
The Physician should understand your pain and problem to treat it and once you are absolutely fine you can continue your weight lifting for long term.

For migraines there is always a triggering agent and for you the triggering agent might be lifting of weights.
We advice you to go to a neurologist for consultation and follow up.
Take care!

[rwmhkm]

I started getting sharp headache pain at the top of my head during squat exercises.  The pain was so intense that I would hold my head and kneel to the floor until it passed.  I made an appointment with my doctor and after a CT scan, MRI and MRA, it was discovered that my problem was high blood pressure. I was surprised because all of my life, my blood pressure was usually on the low side, but over the years, it had been slowly creeping up and I am thankful for the headaches as my only warning. If you are experiencing unusual pain, it would benefit you to see a doctor just to make sure all is well.  

[Dr Vinod]

Dear rwmkkm,

You are absolutely right, checking of vitals in a regular way is very important.
Blood sugar, Blood pressure, Haemoglobin, Heart Rate , BMI should be atleast monitored in a regular way, annualy and with increase in age biannualy.

With other problems it is always good to go for a consultation, because most of the cases you would be normal but if you have any abnormality the screening may help to diagnose your problem early.

Take care!

[frank_gonzalez]

I got these headaches while working out before and then they went away. I just recently began getting them. I was trying to figure out what it was, then a couple of days ago, I decided to eat a meal about an hour prior to the work out and I did not experience the head aches anymore. It has been 2 days w/out the headaches. Today will be the 3rd day. Hopefully that was what the problem was. I have however also been watching how I breath and make sure I do slow reps .. Hope this helps ..

[nikoram]

I just starting getting these headaches two days ago when I was on my second set of squats. I warmed up with 135lbs then aded 40 more lbs. As soon as I went down I got an instant headache in the back of my head from my neck.

hurt so bad I racked and sat on the floor in pain for a good 2 min. My head hurt the rest of the day. I took a day off on sunday and when i wen today to hit some chest it came back. On my second set of incline bench. I tried to man up and finish my work out getting through three sets of bench and dumbell presses. I tried to work my triceps after and just couldn't bare the pain.  

So here I am waiting for my motrine to kick in, I'm relieved to find other people have had the same problem cause I was getting all paranoid. I have been under alot of stress this month and working out with heavy weights.

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!
Do not work out while in stress. Have proper sleep and proper food to give you energy and strength.
Proper food is well planned and balanced and does not mean more calories.
Take a fruit platter or juice atleast before the work outs.
Try simple things and if it does not decrease go for some vital medical check up near a Physician.
Take care!

[szikk]

i'm getting headaches (although in/around my forehead, not round my neck) too, nearly every time after doing really fast sit-ups, and pressups...it's been going on for like a month now, am clueless about what to do, but a'm well scared to be honest!!!!

[Dr Vinod]

Hello!

Try to slow down. If you do not get these headaches when you slow down I suggest you to do press ups and sit ups in a controlled manner.
Do you have any cold, flu or sinus problem which is the common cause of this headache?
Check your vitals like blood pressure, hemoglobin and heart rate and if you continue to have these symptoms a neurologist visit would be worthwhile.

Take care!

[lifter2009]

I had a similar thing happen to me just a few days ago:

Last Thursday I did a complete set of squats (good form, per Mark Rippetoe's book) and then decided to try a Max.  I did 315, no issues, no straining.  Then I decided to do a max deadlift (again good form).  I set myself up properly, and then jammed into the lift, with a slight exhalation of breath, I managed to get the large deadlift weight off the floor, and at the top of the lift, it felt like I was suddenly sweating profusely from the left side of my head, about 2" from my temple.

I put the weight back down and touched my head, but there wasn't a great deal of sweat, it just felt like it. (no blood either, lol)  I then started feeling both moderate pain and dizziness.  The pain was extremely localized, just on the left side of my head about 2" from my temple

I continued the rest of my workout (30min) then went home. The dizziness subsided in about 24-36 hours.  The pain I treated with Aleve every 8-10 hours.  It was NOT a huge amount of pain, but it was constant, and when I touched my head I could feel 'something' just under my scalp, and it hurt in 1 specific location when i pushed on it.

I worked out light the next day, and the headache did not increase in intensity, and I relaxed over the weekend.  Yesterday I did deadlifts with my normal workout weight, and made sure I breathed properly.  The pain did not increase, and there were no issues with my headache.

Today the pain is still there, but it is mild.  I am still treating it with Aleve which pretty much completely eliminates the pain.

Did i rupture a blood vessel?  Should I get it treated, or just monitor the situation and go in only if it gets worse? My bp is 147/85 when resting, but it might get pretty high when I am straining to deadlift my max.

[anthonio]

thank you to who ever  mentioned Valsalva Maneuver, i thought i had a tumor or something, i am new to weight lifting and didnt get any advice so this is my first piece of advice for anyone starting off on training with weights "breathe properly and get advice b4 you start"