Is Exercise Giving You a Headache?

Headaches that appear during or after exercise could be caused by a number of easy-to-solve issues.

Here are a few reasons why you might be experiencing headaches during workouts and what you can do to relieve the pain:

1. You may be dehydrated.

A headache is often the first sign of dehydration. If you don’t drink enough water before exercising or if you sweat profusely during exercise and don’t replace those fluids quickly enough, you may get dehydrated. Drinking water should make your symptoms go away if you are only mildly dehydrated. If you already have a headache, be mindful that many electrolyte sports drinks also contain sugar, which could make your headache worse.

In addition to drinking water, try taking Goody's® Headache Powder to relieve minor aches and pains.

2. Your blood sugar may be low.

Glucose, or blood sugar, is a main energy source for the body. If you exercised before you ate any snacks or meals for the day, your headache may be due to low blood sugar. Having a glass of orange juice, a fruit or a fruit smoothie can give you enough of a boost to go home or to your work cafeteria and grab a meal. You can also rely on Goody's® Headache Powder Cool Orange or Mixed Fruit Blast for fast-acting relief of your headaches.

If you have diabetes or another condition related to blood sugar levels, consult your doctor before exercising for more specific guidelines and instruction.

3. You may have strained neck muscles or used improper form.

Sometimes headaches arise due to muscle tension or imbalances—especially in the neck and shoulders—due to lifting too much weight or not using the proper form during exercise. Weightlifting, pushups, pullups, and even yoga are just some of the ways you can inadvertently strain muscles in the neck and shoulders, which can in turn cause a headache.

If this is the case, you can try gently stretching your neck and shoulder muscles as part of your exercise cool-down and take Goody's® Back & Body Powder to help relieve pain and inflammation.

4. You may have an exertional headache.

Exertional headaches are headaches that come on due to strenuous physical activity such as exercise. Doctors think this may occur due to dilating of the blood vessels in the brain, which happens during exercise. These headaches are often characterized by painful throbbing on one or both sides of the head, and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. While exertional headaches are not unusual, you may want to see a doctor to make sure your headache is not caused by another underlying health condition.

Next time you exercise, be prepared for headaches and minor body aches and pains by stashing a few Goody’s® powder fast pain relief stick packs in your gym bag or locker for use when you need one.