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- $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"
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-
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-
- 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?
-
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-
- 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.
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-