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

[Exertionacheihope]

Problem solved. No more looking up during any exercises and stretching my scalenes. Also not clenching jaw. What a miracle fix. Also took a propanerol (spelling) to completely kick this things ***.

Are you workingout or engaging in sexual activity when it happens? If so it's either from tilting your head back or holding your breath. Follow the link below and stretch your scalenes, I fixed myself in a week or two. This all assumes it not something more serious such as an aneurism which is lower likelihood but always possible


http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf3TPLt5mkY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwwCaVNQJ3s&sns=em

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SCqFhV2Frk&sns=em

[Exertionacheihope]

I started crossfit 3 months ago. The exercise program is pretty intense, even considering I've been working out (running, weightlifting, martial arts etc) since age 13 (I'm 30 now). 2 days ago I was doing double unders, which is just jumping rope, but two revolutions of the rope for every jump. Ive been doing these since I started crossfit, and doing regular jump rope (single revolution) for years with no issues. The only difference with double unders I guess is a higher jump to allow for the 2 revolutions, thus causing more impact upon each landing. For those of you unfamiliar with crossfit, it also involves a lot of Olympic lifting, which includes heavy squatting. So to the point, 2 days ago at around rep 100 of double unders throbbing headache in my temples! I crumbled to my knees terrified. The headache subsides slowly but it took a few hours to go away completely. I left the gym and went home scared reading a lot of unhelpful sites that scared the hell out of me. This thread seems to be spot on. I went back today and the warmup was double unders. This time on rep 75 same headache. The splitting headache forced me to stop,jumping rope. This time however I proceeded to do a very intense workout after lasting 45 mins (no heavy weight though it was 45 mins of rowing, push-ups and rope climbs). The rest of my workout was pain free. Later that night the headache came on during sex. Tomorrow I will be doing squats which is the first heavy lift since the headaches came on.

I think backnotsAL comments above is describing exactly what I'm feeling. I know a doctor is a must do just in case of a brain issue but I'm sure that'll be a bunch of negative tests followed by a stop working out message. I will try deep tissue and hopefully have the same luck. Well keep you all posted.

[bamagiantfan]

The dehydration would be the first thing to look at. It affects us more as we grow older. You may have been a bit dehydrated when you were younger and didn't have this issue so it appears as though this is a new issue. I am 50 and have had headaches when working out (or working strenuously) since I was in my early twenties. The headaches are severe, to the point where I fell like throwing up, and can can last hours. The only relief has been to put my head back for an hour or two! When I say put my head back, I don't mean lying down. That makes it worse.Picture yourself walking around Times Square admiring the skyscrapers in New York for two hours. If this is the kind of headache you are getting and the latter is your only means of relief, you are dehydrated.

I tried all sorts of things and eventually found something that worked. Before working out, or doing anything else indoors or out that will result in a marked increase in heart rate and sweating, I drink a power drink like Gatorade. This worked much better before Coca Cola bought Gatorade and changed the formula to make it more tasty and offer more flavors, but it still works. I continue to drink it liberally until I'm done with the activity and then immediately switch to water - lots of it - and try to cool down as quickly as possible. I don't mean finding some air conditioning. I mean dousing myself with a hose, taking a shower, jumping in a pool, ....you get the idea. You need to be careful here. Headaches can be an indication of something more serious like heat stress, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. I had heat stroke when I was 29 and nearly died. My doctor believes that may be contributing to the headaches I can have when working out now.

It is simple now. If I follow my routine and don't overdo it, I am fine. If I don't, headache for 2 hours.

[bamagiantfan]

The dehydration would be the first thing to look at. It affects us more as we grow older. You may have been a bit dehydrated when you were younger and didn't have this issue so it appears as though this is a new issue. I am 50 and have had headaches when working out (or working strenuously) since I was in my early twenties. The headaches are severe, to the point where I fell like throwing up, and can can last hours. The only relief has been to put my head back for an hour or two! When I say put my head back, I don't mean lying down. That makes it worse.Picture yourself walking around Times Square admiring the skyscrapers in New York for two hours. If this is the kind of headache you are getting and the latter is your only means of relief, you are dehydrated.

I tried all sorts of things and eventually found something that worked. Before working out, or doing anything else indoors or out that will result in a marked increase in heart rate and sweating, I drink a power drink like Gatorade. This worked much better before Coca Cola bought Gatorade and changed the formula to make it more tasty and offer more flavors, but it still works. I continue to drink it liberally until I'm done with the activity and then immediately switch to water - lots of it - and try to cool down as quickly as possible. I don't mean finding some air conditioning. I mean dousing myself with a hose, taking a shower, jumping in a pool, ....you get the idea. You need to be careful here. Headaches can be an indication of something more serious like heat stress, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. I had heat stroke when I was 29 and nearly died. My doctor believes that may be contributing to the headaches I can have when working out now.

It is simple now. If I follow my routine and don't overdo it, I am fine. If I don't, headache for 2 hours.

[lchurleyrn]

You may be dehydrated.
Take in more water before starting work out :)

[backnotsAL]

Hi all, I believe i know what the problem might be for you all because i certainly know what the problem is for me.

I'm 40 yrs of age and am currently going through another ''exercise/orgasm headache'' period. This has happened to me twice before over the last couple of years.
I believe it comes from deep lying tension or knots in your back.
These tension or muscle knots are so deep you don't even know they are there.
I spent hundreds of dollars on doctors and they couldn't help me. Even when i suspected it might be a strain or a knot in my back causing the pain, 3 massage therapists told me they couldnt feel the knot until, i found a deep tissue massage therapist who listened to me. I showed him where my right trapezius felt tight and he began to massage me whilst i was in his massage chair. Every now and then when he'd press down hard in the right spot using his elbow and i could feel a tickle i'd say yes,yes that's the spot! As he pressed harder i began to feel relief thinking oh wow that feels great, meanwhile, he is standing on the edge of the chair, using his whole body weight(about 75kg) on his elbow into my back and im pushing upwards wanting him to go deeper cause it just felt so good.
After the session i asked him on how to prevent these deep lying knots from returning and he just basically said to do some stretching exercises in my back, neck and shoulders. I did and it went away for about 10 months.
Now recently that my exercise/orgasm headaches have returned because ive been lazy with stretching before workouts etc..I decided to get a mate to stick his elbow in my back whilst having a mild headache and when he hit the spot i felt my headache disappear on contact. I have a massive deep lying knot and tension in my back at the moment that i didnt even know was there. Getting it massaged out tomorrow. Will take a couple of sessions along with stretching exercises but i know my headaches will be gone in a few days.
Best of luck all