The Journal of Headache and Pain published a new study that revealed, despite the fact that exercise is good for your health, it can trigger pain in some migraine sufferers.
Exerciseis well known for its health benefits, including the management of pain. Regular exercise can help with chronic back pain, headaches and other ailments. A new study, published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, has made an interesting discovery. The study says that migraine sufferers can experience pain when they exercise. This result, however, is only applicable to a few migraineurs. The question then is whether you should exercise if migraines are present. Let’s first understand what Migraine is.
Migraine is a neurological disorder that affects people of all ages. It causes severe headaches. It can also cause nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include numbness, tingling or difficulty speaking. Researchers are still unable to pinpoint a specific cause for migraine. It has been attributed to genetics and environment factors. It is also believed that migraines are caused by abnormal nerve function that supplies the head, face and brain coverings. The electrical activity in certain parts of the brain is affected, followed by blood vessels.
We need to look at both sides of the coin if we want to know if exercise can cause migraines.
Exercise helps to balance the chemical and physiological functions of the body. Exercise every day helps to reduce stress and relax. It also causes the brain to release endorphins, which act as a natural painkiller. Scientists recommend that migraine sufferers do aerobic exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week in order to reduce the severity and frequency of their condition.
Studies have shown that bending over, swaying your head, or rotating your body rapidly can cause or worsen migraine symptoms. It is clear that sports and activities requiring a lot of energy, such as running, tennis, swimming, lifting weights, football and rowing, should be avoided. These physical activities cause headaches due to the dilation of blood vessels in the brain.
How to avoid a headache following exercise:
Stay hydrated during and after exercising: A significant fluid deficit can trigger migraine attacks. Always keep a bottle of water with you. If you do not feel thirsty after exercising, or you haven’t sweated for some time, drink a glass of ice water.
Eat before exercising: Exercise lowers blood sugar, so you’ll need energy. Eat protein-rich foods before you exercise. Maintain a regular interval between eating and exercising. You should leave 2 hours between the two.
Warm up before you start exercising. A sudden jump into intense exercise can trigger migraines. Do some light weightlifting or slow walking before you attempt to do intensive resistance training.
Concentrate on light exercise: Activities such as yoga, taichi and pilates are safe for migraine sufferers. A 2008 Swedish study, published in SAGEonline, revealed that indoor cycling three times per week could improve migraine symptoms without causing any deterioration.
