Headache during and after sport: is it serious?

Headache, migraine, cephalalgia... We all agree that it's a pain we could do without... But are they really the same thing? To understand the differences and the subtleties of the terminology, I put the question to Dr Claire Marse. "Headaches and cephalalgia mean the same thing," she tells me.And, she adds: "Simply put, cephalalgia is the scientific term, the medical jargon."
As everyone knows, while we've all had a headache, the pain, intensity and location often differ.Beyond the subjective feeling of pain, it's simply because it's not the same type of headache!
It looks like we're getting to the heart of the matter... (minus the headache 🤯, we promise 🙂).

You know that frontal headache, that deeply unpleasant throbbing? Introducing the tension headache. What are its characteristics? It often develops when you've had a bad night's sleep, and feels like a rod or a helmet, accompanied by a dull, non-throbbing pain, unlike a migraine.Here, the tension is more frontal, bilateral and vice-like.

What about migraines? "Migraines are part of the cephalalgia family. This type of headache is caused by blood circulation problems in the skull, and is characterised by hemicranial pain (localised in one half of the head), which is usually pulsating (like a heartbeat) and of moderate to severe intensity.It is estimated that a migraine attack lasts between 4 and 72 hours", Claire explains.And, she adds: "With migraines, there can be photophobia and phonophobia, i.e. noise and light can be experienced as painful, but that's not all." 
Symptoms of migraines include nausea and even vomiting.

It is estimated that 6 to 7 million French people suffer from migraines on a regular basis:while the cause is still unknown, a number of aggravating factors have been identified. As the doctor explains: "Physical activity can be a factor at the time of a migraine attack, just as an activity as trivial as going upstairs can be. On the other hand, it would seem that regular sporting activity plays a greater role in protecting against migraine."

A simple, occasional, distinctive headache (with which you are familiar) is nothing to worry about. But an intense and unusual headache should be reported to your GP, and could potentially warrant immediate referral to A&E. As the doctor explains, there are more serious forms of cephalalgia "known as 'thunderclap' headaches.It may, for example, be symptomatic of a brain haemorrhage. In this case, it's important to be diagnosed and to be able to intervene quickly".

Finally, note that a progressively worsening cephalalgia, a headache that sets in over time and increases in intensity, is also a warning sign.

First of all, Claire warns: "It's not normal to have a headache when you do sport.It can happen very occasionally, like when you're just getting back into training, but if it happens frequently, it's advisable to consult a doctor. "
A person who complains of a headache at every training session may be suffering from a brain problem or high blood pressure.
While sport tends to aggravate migraine-type headaches, it can provide some relief for tension-type headaches. Dehydration or exercising in the heat without wearing a cap, for example, can also trigger headaches.

We tell you all about the importance of hydration before, during and after sport, in detail in this article.

Did you think it was migraine sufferers' favourite sport? Well, we've got it all wrong😝! "Migraine marching" corresponds to the gradual onset of a migraine cephalalgia.
In reality, it describes a migraine mechanism, that of migraine aura cephalalgia: visual or sensory disturbances (tingling in the fingers or visual impairment, in particular) which appear shortly before the onset of the migraine.
To alleviate these symptoms, migraine sufferers are often prescribed triptans (the dosage is determined by your doctor's prescription, if this applies to you).

Exercise-induced cephalalgia does occur after sport. This is known as secondary cephalalgia (the cause of which is known, unlike primary cephalalgia, the origin of which is unknown). As mentioned above, a lack of hydration or carbohydrate intake before exercise can be the cause, as can high blood pressure during exercise.We'll give you some clues shortly.

The good news is that once you know the cause, it's easy to take action to prevent it from happening again.

As you'll have realised, a balanced diet and plenty of water are essential when taking part in any sporting activity, especially to prevent headaches.But (and here's where I acknowledge my mistake!), gradual exercise at your own level is also important!"That's why it's advisable to talk to your doctor before you start exercising again", advises the neurologist.
And, she adds: "For people prone to migraines, any change of habit, environment or weather can also be a trigger." In the case of headaches, anti-inflammatories can relieve a migraine.But before taking any medication, seek your doctor's advice.

In reality, it's not known how exercise could cause headaches (which, it should be remembered, are not a normal symptom of doing sport). It could be a combination of a number of factors, such as low blood sugar, dehydration, lack of sleep or insufficient warm-up.
Whether your headaches occur during or after sport, Claire's advice applies: a good warm-up, plenty of fluids, sufficient carbohydrate intake and choosing exercises suited to your physical ability... With that, everything should go swimmingly!

Migraine sufferers in general have made practising an endurance sport part of their routine: whether it's walking, running or swimming, it seems to be a factor in reducing migraine attacks.The key is not to start any physical activity when an attack has already begun, as this could make it worse.

And for the rest of us? Neurologist Claire Marse advises people to do sport outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, to avoid neck bending and stretching, which can cause cervicogenic headaches, and to avoid heatstroke by drinking plenty of fluids.It's just common sense!

Find all our pre-sport nutrition tips here.