Exercise Headaches: Are You Pushing Too Hard, Too Fast? - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance

• Exercise headaches affect up to 26% of adults and occur even when properly hydrated, often due to how the brain manages heat during physical exertion
• Your brain cools itself by increasing blood flow, which raises pressure in your skull that triggers headaches, especially if you're new to exercise or increase intensity too quickly
• Warning signs include vision problems, nausea or thunderclap headaches that come on suddenly; these require medical evaluation to rule out serious conditions
• Prevention strategies include warming up slowly, staying well-hydrated before and during workouts, exercising in cool environments and gradually building fitness levels
• Most exercise headaches are harmless and typically improve over time as your cardiovascular system adapts to physical stress