headache after long rides.

[Arsen Gere]

My physio reckons that 40% of the problems he sees are neck, head and upper shoulder problems due to the positions people sit in all day, it's these computers that do it. Then when they do something different it hurts. The cure for this is to make sure you are in the right position move around and stretch.

It could be related to an increase in blood pressure when you cycle too. We've all had head a headache from coughing at the tail end of a cold.

Do experiment with fluid intake, but start off with nothing and see what happens. Death from dehydration is very very rare, death from hypnoatremia is more common in athletes than death from dehydration. That is drinking too much water. A study of the Boston marathon showed 13% of finishers had it in some form.

If in doubt, see your doctor too. It does no harm to have a checkup.

 

[byegad]

It sounds like a lot of liquid you're getting through. I drink 750ml in the same distances as you are covering and I'm known as someone who drinks a lot, no not alcohol. Although i do like a drink, of alcohol, now and then.

 

[henshaw11]

Headaches are a sign that the muscle is going into spasm and the next problem you may experience could be back problems. By all means go to your doctor - but I would also suggest a sports physio who should be able to tell you whether your back/neck muscle is tight and will give you exercises to counter it.

The same thing - over a month of hangover-like headache the first time it happened - resulted in me getting rid of the road bike and eventually getting a recumbent - the mtb is marginally ok, depending on the state of my neck. It's recurred once for several weeks but normally it's just for a part day, and I've worked out what neck manipulation helps to get rid of it. It took a long time for any physiotherapy to help, and despite exercises/stretches - which help to some degree - it seems now to be a chronic problem. Even watching a band on stage, or leaning on a table with the elbows whilst looking forward can be enough to start things tensing up.

The rest of my back's spot-on, tho' - I've done Pilates for the last 10 years or so.

 

[funnymummy]

I'd agree with the position on the bike as being the root of the problem, if only because I have to be constantly aware about preventing the same thing happening to me. The head apparently weighs quite a lot and if you have it hanging forward (as you do on a bike) then it puts a huge strain on the muscle which runs from the top of the head, down the neck and down to the base of the back. Headaches are a sign that the muscle is going into spasm and the next problem you may experience could be back problems. By all means go to your doctor - but I would also suggest a sports physio who should be able to tell you whether your back/neck muscle is tight and will give you exercises to counter it.

I found that after long rides, particuarly sportives, on my road bike I would have a banging headache. I drink plenty of fluids, use enrgy supplements I tried taking painkillers, anti-inflamms. The headache would last for a good 24 hrs after thr ride - I just sort of put it down to over exertion, maybe I was trying harder, I did notice I grit my teeth more when riding in a sportive or on a club ride.
I bought an MTB a few weeks ago, been out on it for hours with my youngest & I noticed no headaches! Last week I set myself a test to ride sportive style/speed for 4 hours on it...No headadche! So it would seem it may be the posisition I am sat on my Spesh that is causing it.
I've got an appt with a Sport Physio next week, she wants to see me on my bikes!!

 

[buddha]

I did a search, after getting headaches, which can last a few days after a long, hard ride. A few sites recommend putting your head/neck under a running, cold tap or shower for a few minutes after the ride.

It does work, to some extent. Though I'm doing some neck and shoulder exercises and stretches every day, to try and help matters.

Personal research (experience) has found that the consumption of beer after a long ride is not a good thing

 

[henshaw11]

I found that after long rides, particuarly sportives, on my road bike I would have a banging headache. I drink plenty of fluids, use enrgy supplements I tried taking painkillers, anti-inflamms. The headache would last for a good 24 hrs after thr ride - I just sort of put it down to over exertion, maybe I was trying harder, I did notice I grit my teeth more when riding in a sportive or on a club ride.
I bought an MTB a few weeks ago, been out on it for hours with my youngest & I noticed no headaches! Last week I set myself a test to ride sportive style/speed for 4 hours on it...No headadche! So it would seem it may be the posisition I am sat on my Spesh that is causing it.
I've got an appt with a Sport Physio next week, she wants to see me on my bikes!!

A few things that might help when anti-inflammatories don't (which is most of the time in my case) is to drop your chin>chest to help stretch out the muscles, and/or a very hot flannel over the back of the neck which helps to relax the muscles and ease off the tension. Or a hot bath.

Hope the physio visit goes well !