Email a Friend
Print ArticleMigraines & Headaches Health Center
Headache Triggers: Exercise
When you exercise, or exert yourself physically, the muscles of the head, neck, and scalp need more blood to circulate. This causes the blood vessels to swell, which can lead to a condition called exertional headaches.
Headaches that most frequently occur due to exercise or over-exertion include jogger's headache and orgasmic headache (sex headache). While these may occur in isolation, they are most common in people who have an inherited susceptibility to migraine (one or both parents have migraines).
It has been found that most exertional headaches are benign and respond to usual headache treatments. Some exertional headaches are particularly responsive to Indocin (indomethacin), an antiinflammatory agent available with a doctor's prescription. Still, in order to rule out other medical causes -- some of which can be life-threatening -- a doctor should evaluate your headaches.
Reviewed by Department of Neurology, Department of Pediatric Neurology, The Cleveland Clinic.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Migraines & Headaches Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
© 2004-2008 Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
WebMD Editors’ Picks: News and Trends in Migraines
Find a hospital by procedure or condition
How would you like to get rid of migraines and wrinkles all in one shot? It's not BOTOX, but it does hit you right between the eyes. Hear from one migraine patient, sporting a broken wrist from a fall, who had the surgery.
Most Popular Stories
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.