Severe headaches after golf

[pollmwa]

Did you get a solution for the headaches? I am Months into golf and a 9 hole gives me a migraine

 

[IanM]

Go and see your GP and or Optician.

Might be eyestrain, dehydration, or goodness knows what else.

Start with the above

 

[sjw]

Honestly, this OP could have been written by me. In fact, I had to double check it wasn't! I think for me, it's a little bit lack of caffeine/food, and mostly dehydration. I try to be more careful now, but water is bloody heavy to carry lol

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Honestly, this OP could have been written by me. In fact, I had to double check it wasn't! I think for me, it's a little bit lack of caffeine/food, and mostly dehydration. I try to be more careful now, but water is bloody heavy to carry lol

I shouldn't think golf should cause that severe a reaction unless it is in exceptionally hot conditions and little fluid taken on. I would have a conversation with my GP to make sure there isn't anything else going on (blood pressure etc)

 

[Backache]

I'm highly sceptical about dehydration during a round of golf unless it's really hot.
It's basically a gentle five mile stroll, I rarely feel thirsty when playing.

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

I don't mean to trivialize the OP's serious personal concern,
but nonetheless, I do have yo ask:

There are people who don't have a big headache after playing golf?

 

[Voyager EMH]

Some people can wake up dehydrated without necessarily feeling it in any way.
Not enough water the previous day and perhaps a moderate amount (or more) of alcohol in the evening can cause some dehydration next morning.
This is not necessarily "cured" by drinking half a litre of water during a 3 and a half hour round of golf.

I like to start my day with two mugs of boiled water before breakfast. It is just like drinking tea or coffee, but without the tea or coffee flavour.

I drink tea and coffee and alcohol, but continue to drink mugs of hot water throughout the day as well.
I usually consume over a litre of water during 18 holes of golf.

I very rarely suffer from a headache of any sort at any time.

This approach may not work for anyone else, but it does for me.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I'm highly sceptical about dehydration during a round of golf unless it's really hot.
It's basically a gentle five mile stroll, I rarely feel thirsty when playing.

Will always depend on how much fluids you lose - even in a gentle stroll some may need to intake more fluids to keep hydrated.

 

[sjw]

I'm highly sceptical about dehydration during a round of golf unless it's really hot.
It's basically a gentle five mile stroll, I rarely feel thirsty when playing.

It is a weird one, but I think you lose more than you think, particularly in the summer.

I am going to watch and see if it happens as much as the weather gets cooler. Perhaps I'll keep a log of whether I've eaten or drunk before/during the round, because I'd love to get it figured out. The headaches that can come on really are debilitating - it's not uncommon for me to come home at about 2pm, slump on the sofa, and have such a banging headache that it makes me feel sick. So sick in fact that even the thought of having a drink/tablet/food, which would probably help, just makes my stomach turn. The rest of the day up until about 9pm is a write-off.

There was one summer a few years back, before I played golf, where if I spent more than a couple of hours outside, I'd get one of these bad headaches. It could really ruin a day out and I would feel really guilty for getting them. It wouldn't happen if I stayed in, even if I didn't drink any more, which made me wonder if it was light or pressure sensitivity.

I know the OP was a few years ago but I hope they got their problem sorted because it is really a horrible thing to go through, especially when you know it's coming on and it's too late and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

 

[ExRabbit]

I used to get migraines on warm days when I was a teenager.

I can still get them now, and it is almost always due to not drinking enough water.

I'm not good with heat, and on very hot days I can drink up to 4 llitres of water in a round - I always carry at least 6 500ml bottles of water with me if it is a warm day - and try to remember to drink one of them every 3 holes so I don't get thirsty/dehydrated before I should.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

and try to remember to drink one of them every 3 holes so I don't get thirsty/dehydrated before I should.

I try and take a sip on every hole from 2 x 700ml bottles, one of which has this in - https://highfive.co.uk/products/zero-20-tabs-batch-tested

 

[Voyager EMH]

It is a weird one, but I think you lose more than you think, particularly in the summer.

I am going to watch and see if it happens as much as the weather gets cooler. Perhaps I'll keep a log of whether I've eaten or drunk before/during the round, because I'd love to get it figured out. The headaches that can come on really are debilitating - it's not uncommon for me to come home at about 2pm, slump on the sofa, and have such a banging headache that it makes me feel sick. So sick in fact that even the thought of having a drink/tablet/food, which would probably help, just makes my stomach turn. The rest of the day up until about 9pm is a write-off.

There was one summer a few years back, before I played golf, where if I spent more than a couple of hours outside, I'd get one of these bad headaches. It could really ruin a day out and I would feel really guilty for getting them. It wouldn't happen if I stayed in, even if I didn't drink any more, which made me wonder if it was light or pressure sensitivity.

I know the OP was a few years ago but I hope they got their problem sorted because it is really a horrible thing to go through, especially when you know it's coming on and it's too late and there is nothing you can do to stop it.

Those are typical symptoms of being low in sodium.
If you are remaining prone to this you will need proper medical advice and a routine of food and drink intake to avoid it happening.

 

[sjw]

Those are typical symptoms of being low in sodium.
If you are remaining prone to this you will need proper medical advice and a routine of food and drink intake to avoid it happening.

Is that right? Thanks for the info I will keep an eye on that

 

[sunshine]

I get a headache about an hour after golf. Usually starts when I get home and my wife starts nagging me to do stuff around the house. That's the price of having a hobby that my wife doesn't enjoy.

On a serious note, sounds like water and electrolytes could be the solution. Give it a go and then see a doctor if the problem persists.

Last week I was late arriving and didn't have time to fill my water bottle. My head didn't feel right until I got to the water station on the 6th tee. By the time I'd got to the 6th green I'd drunk a litre of water and felt great after that.

 

[pendodave]

I'm highly sceptical about dehydration during a round of golf unless it's really hot.
It's basically a gentle five mile stroll, I rarely feel thirsty when playing.

My thoughts also.
Unless you're going out after hours of not drinking anything, there must surely be an underlying health condition. Time to chat to a quack.
And if drinking litres of water is the only way to get round, that doesn't sound so great either. This is a 4 mile walk, not Alpe D'Huez in July.

 

[Backache]

By and large having a low sodium when exercising is due to drinking too much water and is nothing to do with dehydration drinking too much water when exercising is far more dangerous than not drinking enough and was the cause of quite a few deaths in marathon running when people were told to drink a lot.

It is in this country virtually never caused by low salt intake. The Western diet has far more than necessary.

 

[Neilds]

Easy way to check if you are drinking the right amount is to check the colour of your urine - it should be pale yellow (straw) coloured. Clear pee means too much water and dark yellow means you should drink more.
I suspect those in this thread who get headaches after golf may have a different issue and should see a proper medical professional and not rely on Dr Internet.

 

[Raziren]

Obviously if you're concerned enough to raise it here you should see a doctor and get reassurance.

a couple of my thoughts:

I can't remember who said it (on TV i think) but it was along the lines of if you only start drinking liquids on the course when you're feeling thirsty it's already too late. You need to drink plenty before you start playing, especially in warm weather.

During this years open, Sky also asked Rickie Fowler what was in the big flask he always carried around. He said liquid containg electrolytes. I've started drinking Oshee branded drinks that i think are Polish. Ive got them from Tesco (foreign aisle), Morrisons (foreign aisle), Farm Foods (less than a pound for a big bottle) and Home bargains I think. They come in plastic bottles and cans. The 'during the round' drinks that i drink alongside water contain vitamins and minerals. Orange and Blue are the best. Pinkish is ok. Blackcurrant was very strong. There's also a recovery drink for after a workout that contains electrolytes. This is ok. They are all flat and not fizzy. I imagine they'd also be good if you're feeling rough or ill.

I'd also suggest getting your eyes tested as the wrong prescription lenses (or need for glasses / lenses) could be giving eye strain.

All the best

 

[Backache]

The idea that you somehow need to drink before you're thirsty is disinformation that has been widely propagated by sports drinks companies.
The idea that you need electrolytes in your drink to aid rehydration is equally spurious nonsense.
If you find some water helps you by all means have some water but most talk of rehydrating drinks is total nonsense unless you've become seriously depleted by some kind of GI disturbance.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Obviously if you're concerned enough to raise it here you should see a doctor and get reassurance.

a couple of my thoughts:

I can't remember who said it (on TV i think) but it was along the lines of if you only start drinking liquids on the course when you're feeling thirsty it's already too late. You need to drink plenty before you start playing, especially in warm weather.

During this years open, Sky also asked Rickie Fowler what was in the big flask he always carried around. He said liquid containg electrolytes. I've started drinking Oshee branded drinks that i think are Polish. Ive got them from Tesco (foreign aisle), Morrisons (foreign aisle), Farm Foods (less than a pound for a big bottle) and Home bargains I think. They come in plastic bottles and cans. The 'during the round' drinks that i drink alongside water contain vitamins and minerals. Orange and Blue are the best. Pinkish is ok. Blackcurrant was very strong. There's also a recovery drink for after a workout that contains electrolytes. This is ok. They are all flat and not fizzy. I imagine they'd also be good if you're feeling rough or ill.

I'd also suggest getting your eyes tested as the wrong prescription lenses (or need for glasses / lenses) could be giving eye strain.

All the best

I use these and drop a tablet in 600ml of water https://highfive.co.uk/products/zero