Any individual will surely delight in a good workout. On the other hand, it can be a bad experience if the individual develops an exercise-induced migraine. It is important to note that this type of headache can be triggered by the physical exertion of the body while exercising while in some cases, it can be initiated by an abrupt drop in the blood sugar level due to the intense physical activity. By identifying the trigger for the exercise-induced headache, it can help determine the ideal way to prevent them.
Proper warm up
Warming up before exercise is a vital step in any exercise routine, but essential in preventing an exercise-induced migraine after since it allows the body to steadily work up to an active level. Additionally, it also helps prevent the soreness of the muscles that can further trigger or worsen a migraine attack later.
Starting at a steady phase
Based on studies conducted, it is believed that migraines that occur after exercise can be caused by the shock of abrupt activity on the body. It simply means that it is best to slowly ease the body into activity in order to reduce the risk of getting an exercise-induced migraine after the workout.
Staying hydrated
It is important to note that the body tends to react in a poor manner to any kind of stress or strain once it is in a state of dehydration. Those who suffer from migraines will discover that staying properly hydrated can greatly help out. If you want to learn how to prevent dehydration, click here.
Opt for low-impact exercises
Instead of choosing high-impact exercise, it is best to switch to low-impact exercises. Regardless of the type of exercise the individual engages in, it is important to switch to one that is less strenuous to reduce the risk of getting an exercise-induced headache.
Follow a regular exercise schedule
It is recommended to stick with a regular exercise schedule. Once the individual abruptly stops an exercise program, it can increase the migraine attacks.
Full meal before exercising
The individual should eat a full meal within an hour after an exercise routine. Make sure that the meal includes starches and proteins that will help increase the blood sugar level to the normal range.
Preventive medications
The individual can be given preventive medications before he/she will start exercising. You can provide ibuprofen first but if this medication does not seem to help, you can provide a stronger medication that is recommended by the doctor. In most cases, you can also provide a glucose tablet before exercise if you suspect that the migraine occurs due to a drop in the blood sugar level due to the exercise.
Proper cooling down
After any exercise routine, the individual should reduce the exercise at a slow manner in order to prevent any shock to the body.
Important considerations to bear in mind
If the individual experiences a severe headache due to exercising, it can indicate a serious health issue. Symptoms such as harsh headache or a headache that occurs for the first time but exercise program has not been changed yet would require proper assessment by the doctor.
The individual should not stop his/her exercise routine just because of the headache. Even though it seems ironic, exercising can actually help prevent the exercise-induced migraine from occurring on a regular basis.