One out of every one hundred people experiences a headache that is called an exertional headache. This type of headache is caused by increased blood pressure. The increase in the blood pressure increases the pressure in the blood vessels in the brain when you exercise, which can cause a headache. Usually this is a headache that comes on quickly and is an intense throbbing pain. An exertional headache usually lasts for about six hours, and usually it goes down in intensity. Using over the counter pain medications can help to control this type of a headache.
Cervicogenic Headache
Another type of headache that seems to be linked to exercise is the cervicogenic headache. The symptoms of this headache can include having blurry vision, and they are usually caused by a disorder of the cervical spine. In order to prevent these headaches from occurring, getting your neck problems treated is important.
Some headaches that occur while you are exercising can actually be a sign that you have another dangerous condition, although this is rare. The following are a few symptoms that will let you know that seeing your doctor is imperative.
- Recent head injury
- Tingling or feeling numb in a part of your body
- Headaches that continue to get worse over a couple days
- Waking up with pain, either in the morning or at night
- A headache worse than any other you have experienced
- A headache that starts from out of the blue
- A headache that comes with symptoms you have never had before
- A stiff neck with your headache
- Bad pain on one side of your head that is constant
