Headache when doing squats

Determining the true cause of these headaches is sketchy because they seem so individual, but dilated blood vessels in and around your brain could contribute.

This type of headache comes and goes and is treated like most headaches. The secondary type of exercise-induced headache is caused by some underlying health problem, but even those vary widely. Bleeding in the membrane surrounding the brain, a problem with the blood vessels in the brain, a tumor or even a sinus infection could be the cause. How can you tell the difference between the two types? Secondaries deliver more serious symptoms along with the head pain: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of consciousness, double vision or neck rigidity.

Your risk of developing a primary headache rises if you train in hot weather or at a high altitude. Go over-the-counter. A common pain reliever like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the pain, though some exercise headaches are brief and may be gone before the med kicks in. Take it only if you really need it. At the first sign of pain, down a cup or two of water. This alleviated headaches in 65 percent of sufferers within 30 minutes, according to a study in the journal Headache.

Chill it. Putting a cold washcloth on your forehead or the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes may bring some relief. The chill may constrict dilated blood vessels. Keep your head position neutral during your lifts and that will alleviate the majority of the risk. Nutrition and hydration are also significant players here. Poor nutrition can lead to muscle cramping and poor hydration can lead to poor tissue mobility. If your nutrition and hydration are on point, then you can likely get away with some degree of the errors I mentioned above and incur no serious physical penalties.

In the interest of complete transparency I incurred my headache with a set of twelve deadlifts. There was no real reason for me to try to lift x12 other than my ego.

The best solution for tension headaches is also the most frustrating - rest. The muscles on the back of your neck are likely somewhat inflamed, so an over-the-counter NSAID may help alleviate the symptoms, but you should check with your doctor before self-medicating. It is important to note there are a host of significant medical conditions requiring immediate care that initially present very much like a tension headache. If your symptoms do not decrease at all within a half hour of onset, then seek immediate medical attention.

Also, if your pain decreases, but you begin to have other symptoms such as weakness in your extremities or trouble swallowing, then seek immediate medical attention. It's also wise to reevaluate your situation and treatment approach after six months of taking OTC medication, to see if it's still necessary.

Manning adds that if OTC pills don't help or aren't an option, "sometimes people actually need [prescription] medication that they take either right before strenuous exercise or regular medication that they take on a daily basis to help prevent these from happening.

If the head pain isn't quite that bad but it hits you frequently and eliminating triggers doesn't help, see a physician. You can start with your primary care doctor, or see if you can find a neurologist, headache specialist, or someone who specializes in sports neurology.

To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter. By Jazmine Polk Updated July 09, Save Pin FB More. He asks people to think about it this way: when exercising, your heart rate increases and oxygen demands increase on your muscles and brain, which causes blood vessels to dilate for the increased circulation.

To combat this, Danan suggests focusing on your breathing technique while exercising, especially during strength training. It's that tightness that causes a dull ache.