$Unique_ID{BRK01175}
$Pretitle{Ill Defined Symptoms and Rare Diseases}
$Title{"Tennis Headache"}
$Subject{headache exertional tennis}
$Volume{N-23}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


"Tennis Headache"


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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.
ÿ
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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.
