$Unique_ID{BRK01175} $Pretitle{} $Title{"Tennis Headache"} $Subject{headache exertional tennis ill defined symptoms symptom rare diseases cough weight lifter's orgasmic footballer's migraine headaches meclofenate ibuprofen indomethacin naproxen sodium lifestyle lifestyles migraines} $Volume{N-23} $Log{ Classic Migraine Headaches*0003902.scf Common Migraine Headaches*0003903.scf} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. "Tennis Headache" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: My friends are beginning to call me a spoil sport because I refuse to join in an occasional tennis game, but the fact is I get a terrible headache every time I play. Naturally when I try to explain this, I am the subject of a lot of horse laughs and quite a bit of ribbing, not all of it too good natured. Have you ever heard of a case like mine, and would you please write about it so that I may have both your good information and an answer for my friends? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: Severe headaches are never a laughing matter, particularly when you are the one that has it, but I can offer you some reassurance that the condition does exist. Its called, quite naturally, "exertional headache" but also bears a few other more descriptive names such as "cough headache", "weight lifter's headache", "orgasmic headache" and "footballer's migraine", and I guess we might add another in your honor, "tennis headache"! An exertional headache will occur during or right after a period of physical activity. It is most frequent in people who are not in great physical shape, and who most probably have a family history of migraine headaches. In some cases where the diagnose of migraine was not made, a history of headaches after skipping meals, after drinking alcohol, headaches when stressed or tired may be present. Generally the exertional headache will last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. A good diagnostic workup is indicated to be sure that you are really suffering from this type of problem, which is also labeled "benign" since there are rarely any other serious underlying ailments associated with it. There are several precautions that can help you. Avoiding alcohol before your turn on the courts may help. In many cases taking an short acting anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or meclofenate may either prevent or shorten the attacks. If such attacks are frequent and severe, taking medications such as indomethacin or naproxen sodium on a regular basis to prevent them can also be considered. Discuss those possibilities with your own physician, as these are prescription medications. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.