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Severe headaches caused by weight training

About a week ago I started a new work out plan raising my repitions from 8 to 12 for 4 sets and 5 excersises. I have been working out for awhile and am not new to the gym. I was on my 3rd set on bench press and around the 10th or 11th rep when I really started to dig to finish, I got an extemly intense headache that started at the top of my neck and in seconds was in the back of my eyes. I could feel the pain move like it was water trickleing through my brain. I felt nautious and began to sweat perfusely. After a few minutes the pain was gone and I attemped another set. The same things happened around the the 10th or 11th rep. Now I cant workout with out this headache. I have been able to tolerate it but with much discomfort, the pain is nearly unbearable. I dont believe the weight is a factor because I used to lift much more. I am 5'8'' about 190 and that particular excersise I started with 275 lbs and finished my last set with 305. What could cause this and can this be a permanent issue? I took the weekend off from the gym and the headache finally went away saturday afternoon. I feel great today and want to train but am afraid of this headache coming back. What should I do?? Thank you for your time.
                                         Tony
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, most probably you have strained your muscles of the neck and/or at the back of the scalp. Now you have to take a break from the exercise for a few weeks so that your muscles recover fully again. If you want to do some exercise then you may choose to do low intensity weight training to maintain your body shape for that time. You are also try some and NSAID painkiller like Advil before exercise. Keep yourself well hydrated and decrease the number of repetitions for a while. Take rest between exercises. You may apply some ice to the back of scalp and neck. I hope this helps, take care.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi, a bone spur can only be visualized by doing x-ray. If this is not a bone spur than the other possibility could be paronychia which is an infection that develops along the edge of the fingernail or toenail. The paronychia is first tried to control with the help of antibiotics if there is infection along with inflammation. Nail removal can help in such cases. If the podiatrist recommended nail removal then there is nothing to worry about as this is a simple procedure if done carefully with local anaesthetics and the nail will grow back quickly. The point to note here is that nail removal will not help in case of bony spur. Regards.
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Avatar universal
I also have a similar problem, i was squating with 135 on and on my second set of 10 i felt a little bit of a pop in thje topmost part of my neck and all the sudden my head felt like it was going to explode. This feeling lasted for about 6 minutes and was gone, the next day i was doig some hang clings and on my second cling the exact pain was back of my head. The paint that i experience is like preasure building up in the back of my head and the when my heart rate goes up the pain also increases, but i dont think it just with wight lifting though, this morning i went to the restroom and i started to sneeze and at the end of my sneeze that pain that i felt during weight lifting was their again but this time it was 5 time worse, i though walking would help the pain but it only made it worst... If anyone knows anything about this pleaze let me know at Zeke.***@****
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Arlington, VA
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