Many individuals describe train complications as feeling just like a migraine. voronaman/ Shutterstock
For some individuals, going for a run can set off what’s often called a “runner’s excessive”, a short-lasting feeling of euphoria or rest. But for others, operating can set off one thing far much less nice: a headache.
Exercise or exertion complications have been first described by researchers in 1968. They happen throughout or after a interval of intense, strenuous bodily exercise – reminiscent of operating, sneezing, heavy lifting or intercourse.
While signs differ from individual to individual, exertion complications usually contain a pulsating feeling on either side of the pinnacle, which some describe as just like a migraine. They can final anyplace from a couple of minutes to a few days. Some individuals might also expertise a number of headache episodes.
But regardless of affecting an anyplace between 1% and 26% of adults (and as much as 30% of adolescents), there’s nonetheless restricted scientific knowledge on exertion complications.
This could also be as a result of they aren’t considerably painful sufficient to cease individuals exercising, they stop when individuals cease exercising or as a result of the signs overlap with these of different complications (reminiscent of migraine), that means persons are handled for these as a substitute. So in all chance, they could possibly be extra widespread than we expect.
But the place research with small numbers of individuals have been carried out, such complications look like commonest in individuals aged 22 to 40, although they most frequently start earlier than the age of 30.
Men in these research have been additionally extra more likely to endure them, accounting for round 80% of the small variety of victims participating. More analysis shall be wanted to ascertain extra clearly whether or not males usually tend to have them and, in that case, why.
Why they occur
When we train, blood movement to the mind will increase so as to guarantee it has sufficient oxygen to maintain our physique transferring. But this additionally means there’s a rise within the quantity of CO₂ and warmth our brains have to eliminate. To address this, our blood vessels broaden and this stretching could cause ache.
Since everybody has completely different anatomy and physiology, for some individuals the extra calls for that train locations on their circulatory system could also be sufficient to set off a headache. But for others, sure situations could trigger exertion complications.
Exercising in scorching climate is one instance. The mind naturally runs at a warmer termperature than the remainder of the physique, and it can’t dissipate warmth by the pores and skin by sweating. The solely method it might probably eliminate warmth is by widening the blood vessels to extend blood movement to by the mind, serving to to remove among the warmth.
Since scorching and humid climate already enhance the mind’s temperature, including train into the combination solely makes it hotter, resulting in an excellent higher swelling of our blood vessels to manage. This could clarify why some individuals solely get the attribute pulsating headache after they train on a scorching day.
Warmer climate also can make them extra more likely to occur.
voronaman/ Shutterstock
Training at altitude additionally will increase the chance of exertion complications. This is because of the decreased oxygen-carrying capability of the blood at altitude. This means extra blood has to go to the mind to provide all of the oxygen it wants, inflicting swelling and triggering ache.
People with a private or household historical past of migraine of migraine might also be extra more likely to get exertion complications. This might be as a result of the identical modifications that carry on migraines – reminiscent of modifications in blood vessel measurement – are additionally concerned in exertion complications.
How to stop them
Exertion complications will resolve shortly after stopping train. This will normally be inside an hour or two, as soon as your coronary heart price has decreased and there’s much less demand for oxygen from the mind.
But in case your headache can be linked to dehydration, it is going to in all probability take a bit longer to resolve till you’ve replenished your fluid ranges. This usually takes about three hours.
If signs do persist or your headache is especially painful, over-the-counter ache drugs – reminiscent of paracetamol or ibuprofen – could assist. But if exertion complications are a typical expertise to you, you would possibly need to converse to your physician about making an attempt sure prescribed drugs which can cut back signs and in some instances lower possibilities of these complications from taking place.
There are additionally issues you are able to do to stop exertion complications from taking place the primary place.
It’s thought that doing strenuous train after an extended interval of inactivity would possibly trigger exertion complications, as your cardiovascular system is just not match sufficient to deal with the calls for.
That’s why it’s good to ease again into train regularly if you happen to haven’t exercised for some time. It’s additionally good to heat up regularly every time you train to assist your circulatory system address modifications in blood stress and movement.
Staying hydrated can be essential. This ensures the mind’s blood vessels can operate correctly. Adequate relaxation will even make sure the mind works at its finest and provide help to really feel much less delicate to ache.
Although exertion complications are annoying, they shouldn’t forestall you from exercising, particularly in hotter climate when they are often extra widespread. Gradual warm-ups and avoiding scorching days or altitude could assist decrease your danger of them taking place. Trying different kinds of train which should not have a sustained peak coronary heart price degree – reminiscent of yoga or weightlifting – could also be useful.
Adam Taylor doesn’t work for, seek the advice of, personal shares in or obtain funding from any firm or organisation that will profit from this text, and has disclosed no related affiliations past their tutorial appointment.
