Why do I always get a headache when I work out...am I doing something wrong or am I just really out of shape??

• 3 Answers

   3 months ago by: lucylocket

• Upvote Downvote

  1 vote

   3 months ago by: squatson

  I'm not sure what type of workouts you're doing when you get headaches or your medical history, but my experience with headaches during exercise is that I wasn't drinking sufficiently before, during and after my workouts.

  I hope you resolve your headache issue.

  • 
    cjrutherford 3 months ago

    YES! Water! Lots of it!
• Upvote Downvote

  0 votes

   3 months ago by: JayneT7

  It could be a lot of things and I would work on a process of elimination.

  I would start with hydration. Headaches are often a sign of dehydration and as you normally use more water when working out or partaking in hot activities like saunas then it's good to keep replenished. Drink before you get signs of thirst so stock up before a work out by sipping regularly rather than guzzling when thirsty. Thirst is a sign the body is already dehydrated. Bizarrely if thirst is not answered and goes on too long the body will also eventually tell you it's hungry instead (perhaps because there are fluids in food).

  If you are drinking diuretics like tea and coffee additional fluid loss will also occur so do account for that. Guidelines on how much water to drink (do try drinking plain water if you can rather than flavoured or sugared drinks) will vary according to the size of the person, their level of activity and the temperature of the area they live in. I live in the UK work out twice a day and drink at least 3 litres of plain water or vegetable juice a day.

  Once you have eliminated water I would look at other things like low blood pressure (particularly if you are doing a lot of inverted poses), blood sugar levels (if you are on a low calorie diet) and vitamin and mineral levels. Do a food diary for at least a week and check to see that you are getting all the right nutrients. If you are unsure take it to a nutritionist. There are some online that will check for you.

  Hope that helps!

  • 
    lucylocket 3 months ago

    Thanks to all who responded..very good advice, I will check into what was mentioned.
  • 
    JayneT7 3 months ago

    Good luck! :)
  • 
    inspiration47 3 months ago

    Not breathing properly or enough will also give you a headache...
• Upvote Downvote

  0 votes

   3 months ago by: KateHough

  I used to compete in triathlons and this issue actually sidelined me for life. Now I am doing workouts like TBT and MOVE! and I am happer for it, but that's a different story :).

  I have an issue with electrolyte imbalances. So, even if I drink enough water, I do't have enough electrolytes to push the water into my cells. Whenever I am going to do a hard workout, I now drink water with an added electrolyte tablet (you can get them at many running and sports stores). Each tablet contains potassium, sodium, etc.

  • 
    lucylocket 3 months ago

    Thank you, I will try that..I believe I am drinking enough water..but hopefully by adding electrolytes ..I will be able to finish my workouts.. :)