I've been a lap swimmer for years but in the last couple of years have increased my distances substantially compared to past years.
Unfortunately one of the negative by products has been headaches after I finish my workouts.
This usually occurs when I swim longer then 90 minutes. During the swim I'll feel great. No problems after quitting. Then about 30 to 45 minutes after I finish I'll feel the headache coming. 90 minutes after the swim ended I'll have a nasty headache. I take ibprofene for it and it goes away after an hour or so.
I thought it might be dehydration, so I started swimming with a large water bottle at the end of the lane and I'd take a quick drink every 1/4 to 1/3 of a mile. That didn't seem to help. I added a 20 oz bottle of Gatorade, along with the water, doesn't seem to have made any difference.
I went to my family doctor about 8 months ago and had a bunch of blood tests done to see if something would show up there, nothing. No blood sugar problems or other "inbalances".
So I keep swimming and keep getting these damn headaches.
Anyone have any clues as to what could be causing them or possible remedies?
Thanks,
Parents
Former Member
The first thought that came to mind before I even finished reading your post was dehydration. Even if you happen to down a bottle of fluid during swim sessions, you may still be running on a low tank. Have you tried carrying a liter of bottled water with you throughout the day? You should try to have at least two bottles to keep adequately hydrated, especially in your climate which gets considerably warm during the summer months.
On the days that I skip the recommended water intake, the next morning's practice will surely lead to a headache, a sign that its time to rehydrate. I wouldn't discount what Ken was suggesting either. And tight goggles are a great way to restrict blood flow to the noggin' too.
The first thought that came to mind before I even finished reading your post was dehydration. Even if you happen to down a bottle of fluid during swim sessions, you may still be running on a low tank. Have you tried carrying a liter of bottled water with you throughout the day? You should try to have at least two bottles to keep adequately hydrated, especially in your climate which gets considerably warm during the summer months.
On the days that I skip the recommended water intake, the next morning's practice will surely lead to a headache, a sign that its time to rehydrate. I wouldn't discount what Ken was suggesting either. And tight goggles are a great way to restrict blood flow to the noggin' too.
