I have been experiencing piercing headaches either during my workout or immediately after. They usually go away after an hour or so. Today during my workout, leg day, it was so bad that I absolutely couldn't continue. I would call it a migrane. I have read that this isn't that uncommon, and I probably shouldn't worry too much, but has anyone else experienced this? Is there any prevention for this? Is it safe to continue my workouts if it keeps happening? Thanks
OP
FYI
There is an entity referred to as PRIMARY EXERTIONAL HEADACHE the features are variable but generally include;
1) "Younger age" (20-40 yrs)
2) Bilateral location
3) Throbbing quality
4) Duration ranges between 2-48 hours
5) These patients characteristically have
NL vitals including BP, and a unremarkable neurological exam
6) They are more common in patients with DOCUMENTED migraine HAs
The quoted incidence ranges between 1-10% of patients with CHRONIC headaches. The cause is unknown but is generally believed to be due to "Vascular Dysnergy" (Which is an abnormal degree of alternating vaso-spasm and vaso-dilation of the brains blood supply, arteries in particular)
Treatment with Indocin (a NSAID) is usually effective at dosages between 25-150 mg /day.
Your specific treatment primarily depends upon whether a "secondary cause" can be identified such: a Brain Bumor, Arterial Vascular Malformation, Pseudo-Tumor Cerbri, or Cerebral aneurysm.
Now I'm NOT trying to scare you, or am I suggesting some type of neuroimaging study (CT, MRI) should be performed because ALL of these "secondary causations" are rare. However since treatment can be curative, they should be considered especially if the picture does not "fit" clinically.
BOTTOM LINE? Should these HA's persist for more than a few weeks, or you develop new signs or symptoms, your DOC should take a look IMO!
jim
