When a workout goes bad: Reasons for a headache after working out

A headache after working out is a common occurrence. Running, rowing, tennis, swimming and weightlifting are a few sports that can cause headaches after exercising.

The muscles in the head, neck and scalp need higher blood flow when you exercise or push yourself physically. A headache after working out or an exertional headache is a condition that can result from this blood vessel dilation.

Exertional headaches can be unpleasant, lasting anywhere from five minutes to 48 hours. They're frequently reported as bilateral (on both sides of the head) pulsing pain while not being as common as migraines or stress headaches.

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What causes a headache after working out?

Headaches after working out may be caused due to increased heart rate. (Image via Unsplash/Anastase Maragos)

No matter if you work out with strength or cardio equipment, at a high or moderate intensity, you may experience a headache afterwards or even while you're working out. Exercise headaches are often characterized by pulsating pain on both sides of the head.

Here are some common reasons why you could experience a headache after working out or while going about your daily routine:

1) Increased heart rate

Workout headaches are no different from other headaches in that there are a lot of unknowns.

Consider what occurs when you perspire: Exercise boosts your heart rate and the amount of oxygen your muscles and brain require, which causes the blood vessels to enlarge to accommodate the increased circulation.

Such abrupt change may lead to a rise in blood pressure in the brain's blood vessels, which might cause a headache for a brief period of time.

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2) Dehydration

Physical activity can be one of the causes of dehydration if not followed by a sufficient water intake to replenish lost fluids.

Simply being dehydrated can result in a headache after working out. However, it may also worsen primary headache problems and other underlying medical illnesses reliant on fluid balance and hydration.

The feeling of thirst, exhaustion, lightheadedness, dizziness, dry mouth, reduced urine and constipation are other signs of mild dehydration.

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3) Low blood sugar

Proper hydration is necessary to avoid exercise headaches. (Image via Unsplash/Julia Ballew)

Hypoglycemia, the medical name for low blood sugar, is another reason why you could experience a headache after working out.

As the muscles consume carbs while you exercise, if you exercise while fasting, don't fuel adequately before workout or do a long endurance workout, blood glucose level may fall dangerously low.

A headache is one of the primary signs of hypoglycemia, along with shakiness, blurred vision, sweating, hunger, attention deficit disorder and confusion.

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4) Holding your breath while working out

A headache after working out may be caused by the way you breathe when exercising, particularly when strength training. People often unintentionally hold their breath when exerting themselves, such as when performing core exercises.

That may raise intracranial pressure, which would cause a headache as a reaction from the body. That tightness is what gives a headache while working out or after it.

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5) Poor technique

Improper technique may result in exercise headaches. (Image via Pexels/Leon Ardho)

There are a few common ways people maintain positions or strain their muscles that may also be a factor causing a headache after working out.

When you row or deadlift, for instance, if you round the shoulders or crank up your neck, that can make the neck, traps and muscles around the shoulders tight and result in a headache.

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Being out of harmony in any way could be the cause of a headache. Avoiding the activity that causes a headache after working out is the best approach to stop them.