Exercise headaches

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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

If no underlying structural or vascular problem is causing your exercise headaches, your doctor may suggest medication to help prevent the headaches. If your exercise headaches are predictable, you may be able to take the medication an hour or two before a scheduled event, such as a tennis match or a hike at high altitude.

If your exercise headaches are frequent or unpredictable, you might want to take the preventive medicine every day. The most common preventive drug used is indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory drug. Propranolol, a blood pressure medication, also is used preventively.

DS00641

Feb. 21, 2008

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