Training & Nutrition - Headache while riding.

I get headaches while riding and I think I figured out the reason, but I just wanted to run it by you folks and see if you've ever heard of anything like it. My headaches (pounding right between my eyebrows, always) generally happens when I'm mountain biking or riding around urban areas and less while road biking, where I sweat less and I stay "cooler".

Anyways, I think it is either my helmet being too tight or my hair growing too long (also causing aforementioned tightness of helmet) and preventing heat from evaporating in the form of sweat. I haven't had a hair cut in quite a while so my helmet has been getting tighter and sweat doesn't evaporate as fast. I also noticed that my headaches are worse under the sun and it subsides almost immediately when I take my helmet off, loosen it or pour water on my head.

Should I worry about other underlying causes, or are headaches common with a hot head getting squeezed by a helmet? I'd rather not go get a haircut and not feel headaches anymore if they were warning me I have some kind of brain tumor or something even though that is unlikely since I'm 19.

Thanks.

I'd loosen the helmet a touch, or get a new one if it is not adjustable. Whether they are the cause of the HA or not, having something on your head that is too tight is not good.

I'd loosen the helmet a touch, or get a new one if it is not adjustable. Whether they are the cause of the HA or not, having something on your head that is too tight is not good.

Ya, I loosened it, but I am worried that the headaches aren't just because of the tightness of the helmet against my growing hair. Wanna do me a favor and ride around with a tight helmet?:D It'd make me feel better if it gave you a headache too, just to confirm that its the most likely cause for the headaches and not something else.

I like you suffer from headaches when I ride and run. It always drove me crazy and then my doctor told me he things that I dehydrate easier then other people. I am one of those that needs a lot of water, if I don't drink enough during the day I get headaches that start in the same area and can get really bad. Just try heavier water a couple of hours before you ride then light water before and of course while you are riding. I am no expert it is just what fixed my problem. When I was in the military and stationed in Texas I would get huge headaches while working out and pretty much had to give up anything that was not water to stop suffering from them.

I know we all drink a lot water when we work out on a daily basis so I know this sounds basic, but I found I had to drink more not to get them. I actaully have a water regiment I go through every day before I ride so I don't get them. I have also found sports drinks with sugar make it worse for me so I have to do water only.

If you think that it could be related to dehydration, you can start weighing yourself before and after your rides. If you see a big drop in weight on the rides that are leaving you with a headache, then that may be your answer.

If you think that it could be related to dehydration, you can start weighing yourself before and after your rides. If you see a big drop in weight on the rides that are leaving you with a headache, then that may be your answer.

Hmm, could be. I have a problem drinking enough during mtb rides because I am having more fun and I tend to forget to hydrate, so that could account for why I get the headaches more severely and more often on those rides as opposed to road rides...

I used to get headaches when I exerted myself and kept cutting workouts short.

I'd go home feeling depressed and pig out on some chocolate coated peanuts to cheer myself up.

Next time I worked out, same thing. So I went home and consoled myself with some chocolate coated peanuts.

Well, one day the Chocolate coated peanuts ran out. I'd bought like a years supply when they'd been on special where I worked at the time.

Guess what - No more headaches.

My point is it could be something in your diet. The higher blood pressure while you're riding could be triggering it somehow....

Some good tips above, but here's my own experience:

Do you wear any kind of cycling glasses?
I used to get fearsome headaches when riding, right between my eyes just like you.
Then I picked up a fairly inexpensive pair of Ryders sunglasses (just a light yellow tint)
that seems to have solved the problem right away.
I think it was perhaps cutting out the wind (rather than blocking the sun) that did it.

(Mind you it could have been coincidence, but I refuse to ride without them now)

They're also great for keeping bugs/dust/grit out of your eyes.
Just find something that is a nice fit.

e.g. this is the brand I ended up buying
http://www.ryderseyewear.com/products

If you think that it could be related to dehydration, you can start weighing yourself before and after your rides. If you see a big drop in weight on the rides that are leaving you with a headache, then that may be your answer.
That is smart, Ill check that out also.

+1: hydration. Hydrate throughout the day especially prior to riding. I dehydrate very easily and must judiciously watch how much good fluid I consume.
+1: sunglasses. I'm guaranteed to get sun headaches...bad...if I don't have my shades.

These two stupid but effective tips saved my skull...

Try the suggestions above (not just mine) and post back in a few weeks.

I can get a headache from too much sun. Sunglasses prevent it.

Hydration was the first thing I thought when I saw the thread.

Some good tips above, but here's my own experience:

Do you wear any kind of cycling glasses?
I used to get fearsome headaches when riding, right between my eyes just like you.
Then I picked up a fairly inexpensive pair of Ryders sunglasses (just a light yellow tint)
that seems to have solved the problem right away.
I think it was perhaps cutting out the wind (rather than blocking the sun) that did it.

(Mind you it could have been coincidence, but I refuse to ride without them now)

They're also great for keeping bugs/dust/grit out of your eyes.
Just find something that is a nice fit.

e.g. this is the brand I ended up buying
http://www.ryderseyewear.com/products


Great tip here too, this is something I will remember too in the future.