Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Intense Headache While Lifting Weights And Slight Face Numbness?
Question: I experienced a strong 5 minute headache while lifting weights last week. I know have a localized pain on my left temple with slight face numbness that comes and go's. Is this any emergency or should I wait to see my General doctor?
Brief Answer:
Exertional Headaches
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. There is an entity called PRIMARY EXERTIONAL or EXERCISE INDUCED headaches. These are generally benign and brought on due to the heavy exertion that occurs just before the headache. In Primary Exertional Headache (PEH) the characteristics are exactly as you've described with pain lasting from several minutes to about 2 days. They can be on one side of the head or both sides. They are generally not explosive or sudden but build gradually which is what your symptoms sound like happened. They may be throbbing but not necessarily. There may be some nausea but almost never vomiting. Intensity is often described as MODERATE or SEVERE....that would be on a scale of about 5-9/10.
There is generally no double vision or other neurological symptoms although in your case you're reporting facial numbness that comes and goes. I'm not sure how to place that into the mix. Except to say that in my opinion you should get an urgent (NOT EMERGENT) but urgent set of imaging studies such as MRI and MRA of the head and neck to look for some type of vascular pathology or anomaly.
And so, no this is not likely to be an EMERGENCY but you should gave some emphasis to these symptoms and get checked out by your doctor sooner rather than later and also you should submit for an MRI of the head and neck as well as an MRA for both the head and neck.
I would also recommend blood work to look at other causes of facial numbness such as serum Vit. B12, folate, Vit. E, C, and D. Also, we would recommend thyroid hormones be checked for any abnormalities?
I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with written feedback?
Also, if there are no other questions or comments, I'd appreciate it greatly if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary.
Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:
bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you and continue this discussion.
All the best.
The query has required a total of 16 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Exertional Headaches
Detailed Answer:
Good morning. There is an entity called PRIMARY EXERTIONAL or EXERCISE INDUCED headaches. These are generally benign and brought on due to the heavy exertion that occurs just before the headache. In Primary Exertional Headache (PEH) the characteristics are exactly as you've described with pain lasting from several minutes to about 2 days. They can be on one side of the head or both sides. They are generally not explosive or sudden but build gradually which is what your symptoms sound like happened. They may be throbbing but not necessarily. There may be some nausea but almost never vomiting. Intensity is often described as MODERATE or SEVERE....that would be on a scale of about 5-9/10.
There is generally no double vision or other neurological symptoms although in your case you're reporting facial numbness that comes and goes. I'm not sure how to place that into the mix. Except to say that in my opinion you should get an urgent (NOT EMERGENT) but urgent set of imaging studies such as MRI and MRA of the head and neck to look for some type of vascular pathology or anomaly.
And so, no this is not likely to be an EMERGENCY but you should gave some emphasis to these symptoms and get checked out by your doctor sooner rather than later and also you should submit for an MRI of the head and neck as well as an MRA for both the head and neck.
I would also recommend blood work to look at other causes of facial numbness such as serum Vit. B12, folate, Vit. E, C, and D. Also, we would recommend thyroid hormones be checked for any abnormalities?
I hope this answer satisfactorily addresses your question. If so, may I ask your favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with written feedback?
Also, if there are no other questions or comments, I'd appreciate it greatly if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end so this question can be transacted and archived for further reference by colleagues as necessary.
Please direct more comments and questions to me in the future at:
bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi and I would be honored to answer you and continue this discussion.
All the best.
The query has required a total of 16 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
