headache

[toroytorero 0]

Just wanted to know if anyone else gets massive headaches after playing hockey. I haven't taken a knock to the cranium or anything like that. I think/hope it's a result of being dehydrated but I do my best to keep hydrated..before/during/after but still get them.. though I do sweat like a fiend, anyhow just hoping I'm not alone in this though I've never heard anyone else complain about it.

[bheidepr 0]

Signs of Dehydration:

Dry, sticky mouth

Sleepiness or tiredness

Thirst

Decreased urine output

Muscle weakness

Headache

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Urine color is a good test: clear or light colored will give a sign of good hydration.

[chippa13 1844]

Could be your helmet is too tight or you are grinding your teeth while playing.

[Hidious 0]

I get big headaches too when i play tennis on a hot summer day. I suppose you play hockey at a warm rink? Roller hockey?

[Jarick 5]

No but I can't stop coughing for half an hour afterwards.

Oh yeah, try drinking a few bottles of water during the day before you play, it keeps you better hydrated than trying to drink a whole ton of water while you're playing.

[toroytorero 0]

no I play ice. I mentioned it to my doctor last week when I was there for being sick and he referred me to have an MRI which I think is a bit overkill but I'm insured and wouldn't mind having images of my brain..

I think I need to make a better effort to stay hydrated... I'm going to play pick up tomorrow so we'll see.

[precursor 0]

yah man, definitely need to stay hydrated. I used to have problems like that where I would sweat so much, I couldn't stay hydrated. I always start drinking water a few hours before I play, and that definitely helps alot.

[BK 0]

Water is always good. I try to at least take a sip between every shift. I make sure I am WELL hydrated before the game too.

Another tip, drink a good amount of water starting 2 hours before the game. Take a good long piss right before you gear up and drink water throughout the game etc.

[Jarick 5]

More on water:

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/kbrown3.htm

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/clark2.htm

[usahockey22 0]

Like others have said, drink plenty of water, but make sure you have also eaten well during the day, had plenty of vitamins and minerals (take a multivitamin if you don't already, maybe extra vitamin b complex too). A couple beers after the game would probably help. The headache would likely be a result of dehydration, stress, or high blood pressure during a hockey game.

[Jarick 5]

One other thing, if it's a sharp pain and you also have neck or back pain, you might be getting muscle cramps as well. I took badminton in college and it wrecked my body, went to the doctor because I had stabbing abdominal pains and sharp headaches (thought I was dying). Turns out I was just destroying my body because of the high impact and lack of stretching.

[frankie56 0]

Helmet?

[fatwabbit 93]

I agree with the rest here... lotsa water, check your helmet.

I used to play outdoors in Singapore, where it was always mid-high 90s and humidity would kill ya. After each session, drink lotsa water, and pour about 1/2 litre of water on my head. That stopped all headaches (team mate taught me that). We had a doc on the team as well, and we were lucky that he would look at any injuries after each session.

[Hazard14 0]

like a year back after a pretty intense bike ride over a couple miles on a hot summer day, when i was done and i got off the bike i got a headache and everything got darker, and i felt like i was gonna blackout at any moment, i have almost no idea why this happened but im pretty sure thats its just after doing alot of work and i suddenly stopped and me not having anything to drink

EDIT: spelling

[toroytorero 0]

after reading that link I have to wonder if it's maybe something to do with a lack of electrolytes. at any rate thanks a lot it gives me something to try out.

[Zamboni 6]

Thinking electo's also....get some gatorade in you before the game-may help. Remember with water that once your thirsty its too late, drink enough before you get to that point.

Always the same rink?....Canadian study on air quality in some arenas was an eye opener. Lots of particles in the air, Zamboni's running on old fork lift technology is bad.

[davezilla 0]

sometimes i start to get a headache (especially if my hair is wet) cuz my helmet is too well ventilated.

[indaslot 0]

I have a friend with the same problem.I would consider this as a possible cause:

Effort migraine

Effort migraine is common among people playing a variety of sports and seems to be linked to sudden intense aerobic exercise and a rise in body temperature, which may cause changes in the blood vessels of the brain. The person has usually had migraine before, although the symptoms may be slightly different. There may be 'prodromal' symptoms (warning symptoms such as flashing lights before the actual headache).

The headache is usually short-lived, lasting about four to six hours. Other typical migraine symptoms such as blurred vision may occur, but this symptom is slightly worrying as it can also be a sign of other causes of headache during exercise. Very occasionally, as with other types of migraine, effort migraine may lead to a stroke.

Treatment includes the usual medicines for migraine, including preventative ones. Some people have reported that a dose of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, taken before exercise reduces the risk of developing a headache. Another tip is to try to avoid getting too hot as you exercise.

Exertional headache

Exertional headache was first described in 1932 and affects as many as one in 100 people. It too is usually benign. The typical picture is of a sudden severe throbbing pain, often at the back of the head, which settles down to a dull ache lasting up to six hours. It's probably linked to changes in blood pressure and blood vessels in the brain during exercise. Simple pain relief is usually all that's needed.

[chk hrd 164]

Beside getting dehydrateded I'm betting that your blood sugar level is getting pretty low. Drink alot of fluids during the day and stay better hydrated before you start playing. While your getting dressed drink some Gatorade or Powerade and snack on some fruit chew candy or jelly beans. Both are digested very easy and won't sit in your stomach. This will keep your blood sugar up during the game and not cause you to crash like an energy drink. After you finish playing drink plenty more fluids (fruit juices work good) and have a healthy snack like fruit or jello until you can have a good meal.

[tomh7 2]

In addition to lots of water, you may want to check your salt intake. Too much salt in your system will dehydrate you faster.

[toroytorero 0]

found some interesting info searching effort migraines in the Journal of child neurology "thought I was just getting old" which relates to keeping your head cool. I give off a lot of steam on the on the bench.. much more then others. I did everything in reguard to fluids/eating to try to prevent a headache and I can feel it coming on today.. usually peaks

2-3 hours afterward which is in about 1 hour from now. Going to dunk my head in some ice water and see how that works out.

as for my helmet it fits fine not tight but I may buy a intake to try and keep things a little cooler up top.

[indaslot 0]

try popping 2 Advil or tylenol before you play.That is supposed to help.