Exercise can relieve or even prevent migraines
Are you a migraine sufferer and do you like sports? You probably shouldn’t think about exercising during an attack, but it is important that you just keep moving between attacks. If you do the right sport for you, it can even help relieve migraines or prevent an attack.
Migraine is a form of severe headache with various symptoms, such as a severe or pounding headache, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. If you regularly suffer from migraines, you probably already adjust your daily activities accordingly. Sports is one of them. But did you know that physical exercise can also have a positive effect on migraines?
Less long or frequent migraines
There is some evidence that certain forms of exercise can help reduce the duration or regularity of migraine attacks. In the early stages of migraine, when the first warning signs appear, such as a headache or numbness in the fingers, you could even prevent an attack by exercising.
Which sports are suitable?
Moderate-intensity endurance sports, such as:
- to walk
- to run
- swimming
- bicycles
In addition, relaxation activities are suitable, such as yoga and tai-chi.
Which sports are not suitable?
There are also sports that are less suitable, because you have a higher risk of headaches. Examples of this are:
- sports activities at high altitudes, such as mountaineering, winter sports and air sports;
- sports that you should practice at depth, such as recreational diving;
- sports that you should practice in extreme heat;
- highly explosive sports, such as sprinting and weightlifting.
Tips for exercising with migraines
If you are a migraine patient, you can do sports and exercise very well. In fact, it’s really good for you. With these tips you can get moving and stay active:
- Do sports activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good.
- Listen to your body: slowly build up the duration and intensity of your exercise.
- Know what your “triggers” are so you can take them into account while exercising. For example, are sun and dehydration triggers for you? Then preferably exercise indoors and drink well.
- Drink plenty of water before and during exercise; this is even more important for people with migraines. Be careful with drinks that contain caffeine.
- Try to move for half an hour every day.
- Do you like to exercise in a group? In that case, inform your trainer or fellow athletes about your condition.
Are you planning to exercise? Let your doctor know, just to be sure, so that it can be included in your medical record. If you have not done a physical activity before or are in doubt about which activity is suitable or not, ask a (sports) doctor for advice. look at this page for a sports doctor near you.
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