Exercise headaches

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Primary exercise headaches
These headaches:

  • Are usually described as throbbing
  • Occur during or after strenuous exercise
  • Affect both sides of the head in most cases

Secondary exercise headaches
These headaches may cause:

  • The same symptoms as primary exercise headaches
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Double vision
  • Neck rigidity

Primary exercise headaches typically last between five minutes and 48 hours, while secondary exercise headaches usually last at least a day and sometimes linger for several days or longer.

When to see a doctor
If you experience a headache during or after exercise, consult your doctor — especially if it begins abruptly or if it's your first headache of this type.

References
  1. Headache: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/headache/detail_headache.htm#142883138. Accessed Dec. 7, 2009.
  2. Cutrer FM. Primary exertional headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Dec. 8, 2009.
  3. Goadsby PJ, et al. Headaches. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2890365. Accessed Dec. 8, 2009.
  4. Pasqual J. Other primary headaches. Neurologic Clinics. 2009;27:557.
  5. Primary exertional headache. International Headache Society. http://ihs-classification.org/en/02_klassifikation/02_teil1/04.03.00_other.html. Accessed Dec. 8, 2009.
  6. Bartleson JD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 22, 2009.
DS00641 Feb. 20, 2010

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