Migraines after cycling

Ballard

tealady said:

I used to suffer from "dehydration" migraines. Also know someone who had headaches caused by arthritis in the neck.
I would suggest an eye test along with having a bike check (as APJS87 suggests), that may help.

Another good point. I have had eye tests since and was due one just as the lockdown started. I will arrange a test as soon as I can. Fortunately my son now works in an opticians so I can get it at a discount. 

bouicca21

Do you wear a head covering under the helmet?  I get migraine when out in the sun without a hat, and imagine a vented helmet might be a problem???

Greylocks

Try a bike which has a more upright position like a hybrid rather than a traditional racing bike style?
Much less stressful on the neck.

alembicbassman

I used to get them when I'd been riding a bit too hard. I came to realise that I'm not Chris Froome, just an average 46 year old 12.5 stone bloke.
So I started to go for a bike ride, not a bike race. I took off my computers and took more relaxed rides with a rest stop. 
Several shorter rides per week of 15-20 miles is better for me than two 40-50 mile slogs
Bingo - no more headaches.
I'm fit enough to do all the things I need to do and my blood pressure is fine.

[Deleted User]

I get ocular migraines, I've noticed that they get more common when I'm training harder. I also get a headache after a long ride if I haven't eaten enough to maintain my blood sugar.

Ballard

Thanks for the comments, they are much appreciated. Rather than answer individually I'll post one reply.

I may well invest in a new helmet but will wait until I'm more comfortable going into shops as it's not urgent. I don't wear anything under it unless it's particularly cold. Although I'm certainly not ruling it out I don't think that this would be the sole the reason. 

Whilst cycling I do try to flex my back and neck regularly and mix between a more upright and racing style but there's only so much that you can do.

The point made about shorter trips is the method I've adopted and that does work. It would just be nice to feel that I have the option to go further. I live towards the north of the North Downs which means that I can incorporate one or two challenging (for my level) hills in 20 miles so do get a good workout and some half decent views.

That's a very good point about eating and one that was made earlier in the thread. I did eat before a long ride and took small snacks to keep me going but it could well be related to blood sugar levels. For the shorter rides that I undertake now it depends on the time of day but I'm generally fine anyway.

[Deleted User]

You mention cycling for more than 25-30 miles but not how much more. When it comes to cycling non-stop, I normally draw the line at about 30 miles, anything more and I'll eat. Cycling burns about 400-500 kcals/hour, a banana is about 100kcals.

Littleskintdragon84

I also get exercise induced headaches, I run regularly, and the one thing that helps is covering my ears with a hat, or a buff. It's almost cured it, although the warmer weather has also probably helped too.
I spoke to my gp about the issue, and he suffered with the same.
I thought for a long time that it was dehydration issue, but knew deep down that I already drink a load.
If I'm on the bike, I wear a buff over my ears under my helmet.

Ballard

Two interesting posts. There have been a few mentions of food on here so that might have some relevance. I am just over 13.5 stone which means that I do have some fat to burn but I know that burning fat is a different kettle of fish to using food.

I can also understand the idea of keeping the head warm. I cant be certain but I think that my longer rides were a mixture of weather and it was certainly hot sometimes which would make additional headgear unbearable. I think that I can all but rule out dehydration anyway.

sazaccount

Do you wear any eye protection when you ride? My migraines are very light sensitive, eg triggered a lot by the sun. I use a good pair of polarised sunglasses whenever I'm outside, it especially helps on the bike (I do short 15-20 minute rides around the block at the moment) as well as stopping/limiting the wind and pollen getting into my eyes.