As warm weather arrives, many people are lacing up tennis shoes, dusting off the bike or in-line stakes and heading outdoors to exercise. Unfortunately, for the more than 45 million Americans who suffer from chronic, recurring headaches, the activities can provoke an attack. The National Headache Foundation offers some suggestions:
Warm up adequately before exercise.
Maintain hydration throughout activity and after.
Be aware of environmental factors like high altitudes, humidity or exposure to hot or cold weather, which can trigger migraines.
Don't skip meals.
Follow a regular sleep schedule.
Consult your health-care provider about your exercise regimen.
Exercises like walking or jogging often work well when used as part of a multidisciplinary headache treatment program prescribed by your health-care provider. But it is important to tell that individual about your exercise habits because some medications could affect your performance.
To learn more about headache causes and treatments, visit the foundation Web site at www.headaches.org.