General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache? Rss Feed  
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2008-06-09 11:55 AM

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Master
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Subject: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

Ok peeps, hook me up. How do I get rid of that horrible pounding awful headache that comes in hot weather?

Things that have not worked so far:

- Ice
- Water
- Salt
- Gels
- Pick Ax through temporal lobe



2008-06-09 12:05 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Are the headaches you're getting during or after?
2008-06-09 12:08 PM
in reply to: #1454266

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Sensei
Sin City
Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

Some things I do to cope...

Drink plenty before and during.

Hat and sunglasses.

I may even take an advil or something before I go out.

Drink a TON when I get back - to the point I'm almost "sloshing".

I think I get mine from dehydration and/or eye strain from the bright sun.  So I do what I can to mitigate both of those things.

2008-06-09 12:09 PM
in reply to: #1454275

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
brisket taco and dos equis
2008-06-09 12:13 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Well for me, my headaches are in the back of my head, the lower portion. I get them when I don't eat enough on the bike. I won't be hungry, but if my calories are low when I'm done my head hurts.

You might also want to look at your sugar intake. Taking some in on a ride might do the trick. I know a Coke can fix it real quick for me.
2008-06-09 12:35 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Advil...sounds easy and it is. I suffer big time in the heat, and advil before going out, plenty of fluids during & after, and I'm good.

If I do get a headache, it's going to probably last a couple of days, so I try to nip it before it starts.


2008-06-09 1:52 PM
in reply to: #1454266

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Master
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

During. I had a headache yesterday at Eagleman on bike and then came back for the run. On the run, the only way to manage it was to not run, and then it would relent a bit. There were a lot of other factors going on later in the race, but early on I kept thinking "If I could get rid of this damn headache, I'd be able to do x y and z..."

I know it's directly heat related, so I guess I'm wondering if it really is as simple as "Just drink more water, stupid", or if there is a magic electrolite potion (or whatever) you can down to counteract the heat related suckage. 

BrianPBN - 2008-06-09 1:05 PM Are the headaches you're getting during or after?

2008-06-09 1:53 PM
in reply to: #1454354

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Master
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

Hmm. Advil and my stomach don't like each other much when working out, but I'm starting think that's the lesser of evils ...

squishybelly - 2008-06-09 1:35 PM Advil...sounds easy and it is. I suffer big time in the heat, and advil before going out, plenty of fluids during & after, and I'm good. If I do get a headache, it's going to probably last a couple of days, so I try to nip it before it starts.

2008-06-09 1:58 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

I had a wicked headache yesterday from the heat.  Only after a few hours in nice air conditioned house drinking liquids (and eating bagels) did it finally subside. 

As for during a hot event, my guess would be to do whatever you can to cool yourself off, such as a cold sponge on your head under your cap.  Also, I wonder if the direct sunlight has any effect, maybe you should have some VERY dark running glasses to shield your eyes - it could be a side effect of squinting or even the mental affect of seeing the blazing hot sun compared with viewing the world through dark tinted glasses.

Good luck and if you happen to find a magic pill, let me know as I could use one too.

2008-06-09 2:04 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

My coach has told me post race headaches is a good sign of dehydration. I say keep drinking fluids to get your electrolytes and body fluids back to normal.

I never get headaches in regular life other than post races.

I'm much more in touch with my hydration/nutrition/sodium requirements and it has made a huge difference as I rarely get them any more. 

For the future I'd do a sweat test and work from there to make sure you are hitting hydration/nutrition/sodium requirements from you. 

2008-06-09 2:04 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Advil + cold compress on forehead and one on back of next + quiet, dark room.


2008-06-09 2:06 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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The Original
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
I usually get those headaches when I'm dehydrated.  And I've found the only way to get rid of them is to lay down in a cool room and sleep.  And of course hydrate with a sports drink and water. 
2008-06-09 3:18 PM
in reply to: #1454669

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Expert
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
KathyG - 2008-06-09 3:04 PM

My coach has told me post race headaches is a good sign of dehydration. I say keep drinking fluids to get your electrolytes and body fluids back to normal.

I never get headaches in regular life other than post races.

I'm much more in touch with my hydration/nutrition/sodium requirements and it has made a huge difference as I rarely get them any more. 

For the future I'd do a sweat test and work from there to make sure you are hitting hydration/nutrition/sodium requirements from you. 

I gotta agree, i get headaches during and after a workout if i'm dehydrated. 

2008-06-09 4:04 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Master
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

Drink pickle juice . Yes, straight out of the pickle jar.

Headache gone in about 20 seconds. 

2008-06-09 4:07 PM
in reply to: #1454638

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Chippy - 2008-06-09 1:53 PM

Hmm. Advil and my stomach don't like each other much when working out, but I'm starting think that's the lesser of evils ...

squishybelly - 2008-06-09 1:35 PM Advil...sounds easy and it is. I suffer big time in the heat, and advil before going out, plenty of fluids during & after, and I'm good. If I do get a headache, it's going to probably last a couple of days, so I try to nip it before it starts.

No Advil or other NSAID before big workouts, young lady.

2008-06-09 4:08 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
I'll just jump back into this quickly to say, that I recommend advil only because I've known it to work for me in the past (tylenol, etc. did not). I've had lots of times in the past where I regularly spent 4-5 hours in the sun (former golf nut), and regardless of eating and drinking (not junk), I would incessantly get bad headaches.

I started to carry advil and would pop one if I felt something coming on - because by that point it's already too late to recover with additonal hydration. I then started to take one before going out on the golf course in really hot weather. This + hydration really seemed to put an end to my headaches.

I raced a Sprint (my first) this month, and was fine for those 2 hours, but any longer and I certainly would have brought the advil along. Just my 2 pennies worth.


2008-06-09 4:14 PM
in reply to: #1455061

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Master
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Nipper - 2008-06-09 2:04 PM

Drink pickle juice . Yes, straight out of the pickle jar.

Headache gone in about 20 seconds. 

I have heard that this works really well, but haven't had a chance to try it.

I find that if I'm in an event or long group ride (where I can't just drop out) that if I slightly lower my heart rate and then try not to tense up or drastically alter my heart rate, most of the headache will subside. If I need to increase pace, I do it evenly, and then I can go ahead and kick it at the end, be done, and go find water and a cool dark place. If I'm lucky it doesn't go migraine.

And it's definitely dehydration + heat that does it for me, but I seem to do better with NUUN at the end, and some electrolytes in the middle if possible. Gotta try that pickly thing though.

2008-06-09 4:16 PM
in reply to: #1455081

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

squishybelly - 2008-06-09 4:08 PM I'll just jump back into this quickly to say, that I recommend advil only because I've known it to work for me in the past (tylenol, etc. did not). I've had lots of times in the past where I regularly spent 4-5 hours in the sun (former golf nut), and regardless of eating and drinking (not junk), I would incessantly get bad headaches. I started to carry advil and would pop one if I felt something coming on - because by that point it's already too late to recover with additonal hydration. I then started to take one before going out on the golf course in really hot weather. This + hydration really seemed to put an end to my headaches. I raced a Sprint (my first) this month, and was fine for those 2 hours, but any longer and I certainly would have brought the advil along. Just my 2 pennies worth.

I've posted on this before.  Without getting into the details of it I'll repeat that NSAID's such as Advil are a BAD idea before a long workout or race.  There are very real risks associated with it.  Just because it hasn't happened to you in the past that's no guarantee that you or somebody else won't experience them.

2008-06-09 4:23 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

Here's a quick overview of the topic in the context of endurance athletes.

http://www.firstendurance.com/newsletter_NSAIDS.html



Edited by DerekL 2008-06-09 4:24 PM
2008-06-09 4:29 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
I don't want to scare anyone but PLEASE have your headaches checked by a doctor.

If you have a strong, unusual type of headache it could be a sign of something serious.

Please, I don't want to scare anyone but i lost my brother in law three weeks ago to a brain aneurysm.

He had a very strong headache that wouldn't improve with painkillers for about two weeks and he died as a result.

Headaches are very common and things like dehydration, tiredness,sinus allergies, muscle problems can cause them but, if you have a strong persistent headache google brain aneurysm for a list of symptoms.
2008-06-09 4:39 PM
in reply to: #1455081

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Extreme Veteran
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
I think many of these posts are addressing the symptom and not the problem.

If an athlete had the following question:

I ride on roads that have a lot of nails and always get flats. I don't know how to change a flat, so I walk home. What should I do?

Most of the posts above are answering this question by saying:

Carry a CO2 and and learn how to change a flat

My response would be to stop driving down the roads w/ the nails so you don't get a flat in the 1st place ;o)

By taking Advil or any other NSAID, aspirin, etc... you're getting rid of the headache but not solving the reason you got the headache in the 1st place. If you were getting a blister we could address how to get rid of the blister, but I'd suggest trying to figure out what's up w/ your shoes in the 1st place so you don't get a blister next time and have to keep dealing w/ it.

Moderate or severe headaches are one of the primary signs of dehydration and in extreme cases heat exhaustion - which has a cause. Electrolyte and fluid intake starting the day/evening before a race or long workout right through the workout are the keys to minimizing this.

Try to address the problem instead of putting a bandaid on it after the fact as there's a reason you're getting a headache in the 1st place.


2008-06-09 5:03 PM
in reply to: #1455169

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Mountain View, CA
Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?

BrianPBN - 2008-06-09 2:39 PM Moderate or severe headaches are one of the primary signs of dehydration and in extreme cases heat exhaustion - which has a cause. Electrolyte and fluid intake starting the day/evening before a race or long workout right through the workout are the keys to minimizing this.

x2. If I get a headache during a workout, particularly on a hot day when I'm out in full sun, it's a sign that something's not right. It's my body telling me, "hey, drink more water!" or "hey, go find an ice pack and stick it on your noggin!" Dehydration and heat exhaustion/stroke aren't fun. Listen to your body. 

2008-06-09 5:17 PM
in reply to: #1454235

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Expert
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Big Bear City, California
Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
My only thought is to try increasing sodium intake during the race. I have had great results using S caps during races in the heat and they have seriously made me feel a ton better, although I didn't have headaches to deal with. My wife calls them her miracle pills!
2008-06-09 9:53 PM
in reply to: #1455169

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Coach
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
BrianPBN - 2008-06-09 4:39 PM I think many of these posts are addressing the symptom and not the problem. If an athlete had the following question: I ride on roads that have a lot of nails and always get flats. I don't know how to change a flat, so I walk home. What should I do? Most of the posts above are answering this question by saying: Carry a CO2 and and learn how to change a flat My response would be to stop driving down the roads w/ the nails so you don't get a flat in the 1st place ;o) By taking Advil or any other NSAID, aspirin, etc... you're getting rid of the headache but not solving the reason you got the headache in the 1st place. If you were getting a blister we could address how to get rid of the blister, but I'd suggest trying to figure out what's up w/ your shoes in the 1st place so you don't get a blister next time and have to keep dealing w/ it. Moderate or severe headaches are one of the primary signs of dehydration and in extreme cases heat exhaustion - which has a cause. Electrolyte and fluid intake starting the day/evening before a race or long workout right through the workout are the keys to minimizing this. Try to address the problem instead of putting a bandaid on it after the fact as there's a reason you're getting a headache in the 1st place.
x 3 and also what DerekL said. If this only happens on hot conditions work on your hydration before, while and after training and go from there
2008-06-10 8:30 AM
in reply to: #1454235

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Elite
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Subject: RE: Managing Heat: How to get rid of headache?
Derek,

Thanks for the post - just so you realize, I was writing my second post at the same time you put yours up, so I wasn't trying to contradict you.

I did read the article you'd listed, and it will certainly make me pay more attention to hydration in the heat. At the same time though, the article reffered to some pretty big numbers for their tests (600-1200mg) of ibuprofen. When I was referring to advil, I should maybe have been a little more clear in mentioning that I would typcially take a smaller dose of 200mg. That said, if I have dehydrated i have no option but to take larger does after training.

If you have suggestions for post exercise headaches, I would love to hear them as I'd prefer to avoid popping a pill.

Thanks
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