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. Call your doctor right away if the headache begins abruptly or if it`s your first headache of this type.
Primary Exercise Headaches
The exact cause of primary exercise headaches is unknown. One theory is that strenuous exercise dilates blood vessels inside the skull.
Secondary Exercise Headaches
Secondary exercise headaches are caused by an underlying problem, such as:
- Bleeding in the area between the brain and the thin membranes that cover the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage)
- Abnormalities in a blood vessel leading to or within the brain
- Cancerous or noncancerous tumors
- Obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid flow
- Sinus infection
- Structural abnormalities in the head, neck or spine
You may be at greater risk of exercise headaches if you:
- Exercise in hot weather
- Exercise at high altitude
- Have a personal or family history of migraine
