Exercising
 

As I have been resting from my concussion over a year ago, I have not exercised regularly at all. I went from an extremely high activity high calorie diet, to an extremely low activity and high calorie diet.

Naturally I put on literally 20 pounds in the first month, then changed my diet. The other day I tried going on an exercise bike (I haven't had any symptoms besides headache and ear ringing in a few months), only for 5 minutes with not too much head movement, and I have a huge headache now.

Could just blood flow after a year of not exercising cause a headache? Are there any other low impact exercising regimens that will help me lose some of the weight I put on?

I have an alarming family history of heart conditions so this is really quite important.

I suggest you lower your calorie intake and learn to start back to exercising slowly. Even an exercise bike can be started slowly. Get a blood pressure and pulse monitor and find the BP and pulse that does not cause symptoms.

Walking slowly, as tolerated. Try short walks...a few a day. That can help. Hang in there. It gets better (slowly!!!)

I don't mean to alarm you but I used to have headaches (a crushing sensation) and ringing in ears (tinnitus) and I tried to get back exercising.

Now a year and three months after injury I have near enough permanent earache/headache and have been told this is occipital neuralgia. Just be very careful!

I have never had a neck injury, nor have pretty much any of the symptoms like that.


Currently I have been using quite a bit of screen time due to online school, but now i am printing off all my notes and literally cutting down by screen time by 1000%, which is quite a feat for me.

I have also completely reinvented my diet, as well as am now taking some supplements (vitamin d, multivitamin, etc), and my headaches are not as frequent, or as bad.


I also have a family history of quite serious migraines, how do I tell apart migraines from headaches?

mrsmith--headaches vs migraines are largely different I believe in their intensity/duration and associated pain. Migraines are generally more severe (and can last longer) and are associated with sharp/stabbbing/throbbing pains, whereas headaches are more localized, less severe and more "pressure"-related.

As far as exercising, I echo what Mark said regarding getting a heart rate monitor. I've had one for a while now and it has definitely helped with my ability to ease myself back into working out and measuring my intensity levels. Start at an BP intensity level that you know will not induce symptoms and slowly progress from there to build up your tolerance. If your symptoms return or feel worst, take a couple of days off and try back at a lower level.

From everything I've experienced, if you are not pushing yourself at a sub-symptom threshold level to slowly increase that threshold/retrain your brain to take on more on a steadfast basis, you progression will be stunted.

Im 9 months in and have been using a heart rate monitor for exercise . I keep my heart rate at about 60 to 70 % of max and also monitoring my head pain and pressure. If the symptoms increase back it down. I also found heavier weights didn't raise my heart rate but really messed me up the following 2 days physically and emotionally.