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 patients 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 therapy. Some are particularly responsive to indomethacin, an
anti-inflammatory agent. However, exertional headaches should be evaluated to
exclude other medical causes.
References
- National Headache Foundation. Exertional Headaches.
www.headaches.org/ Accessed 2/3/2012
- Goadsby P.J., Raskin N.H. (2012). Chapter 14. Headache. In D.L. Longo, A.S. Fauci, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, J.L. Jameson, J.
Loscalzo (Eds), Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e. Retrieved February 3, 2012 from
www.accessmedicine.com/.
- UpToDate. Primary Exertional Headache.
www.uptodate.com/ Accessed 2/3/2012