Why such severe headaches

[gris79]

I often get these pounding headaches that feel like my head will explode.  I usually need to hold on to my head and close my eyes and rest. I notice I get these when I strain myself too much, like heavy lifting, pushing during bowel movements, etc.  Yesterday I had such a terrible headache, especially on my left side and decided to take motrin and went to bed.  I was fine this morning but now I am starting to get this headache again and I feel the need to just close my eyes and relax. Any ideas? I know severe headaches are signs of a stroke but I hope that is not the case.  I am obese and in fact, I am having weight loss surgery.  The first time I had these headaches was towards the end of my pregnancy, where it was determined I had high blood pressure but went away after birth.  Every time I go to the doctor my BP is fine and my cholesterol was fine as well.  

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Exertion headaches are generalized head pain during or following physical exertion such as running, jumping, or sexual intercourse. It can also occur during passive exertion like sneezing, coughing, or moving one's bowel. Majority of this kind of headache is related to migraine or cluster headache. However, 10% is caused by organic diseases such as aneurysms, tumors, or bloodvessel malformation.  If it persists, have this checked by your doctor for proper management. Direct clinical and neurological examination is important. Take care and do keep us posted.

[Eddie1994]

You may want to talk to your Doctor about being screened by a Neurologist for a brain aneruyism.  I say this because about eight years before having a ruptured brain aneruyism my wife had unexplained headaches that were severe.  I firmly believe that these headaches/migraines were the development period of her aneruyism.  She had a CT scan at the time which demonstrated no findings but eight years later it burst.  Keep in mind the old saying "An Ounce of Prevention..."  Play it safe would be my suggestion.

[bitesize]

Hi I also suffer from terrible headaches, for almost 4 years now. The pain would start in the back of my neck and slowly move toward the top of my head, often i would vomit, and have a hard time seeing straight. I put up with this pain at least 3 nights a week.No otc meds ever worked.A year ago my mother died from a stroke and bleed to the brain.I remember asking the dr how she was feeling, he said she is having the worst headache you will ever feel. That response startled me so i went to see a dr about my severe headaches all the time.There is really no good answer to headaches, ther are preventatives, which i know have.I found out i had very high blood pressure, she prescribed me a blood pressure pill with a migrane preventative in the pill as well i take 2 pills a day.She also prescribed me midrin kindda a pain killer kinnda not. It drownds out the headache, a sedative it works 90% of the time. I might only suffer from a headache once every 3 weeks now. i feel like the headaches are no more taking control of me and my life. So my advise to you is to tell a dr you are suffering from headaches, see if he can help you, i have been there, please get help for them, you will be a lot happier.

[selmaS]

Hi...how long have u noticed this problem?....do u notice if these HA's r positional as well? ie- standing after sitting...bending ect....

Having a weight issue could also be part of this issue...there is a condition called intercranial hypertension...where CSF levels change and cause HA's...during the HA u can have a change in BP....do ask ur drs about it...it is sometimes called pusedo tumor cerebri.

HA's with straining can be linked to several diff things...

Good luck with ur gastric surgery

"selma"