Can Swimming Really Cause Headaches? Causes and Prevention Tips

Can Swimming Cause Headaches?

Swimming is often touted as one of the best low-impact activities for overall health and fitness. However, some people complain of headaches after swimming laps at the pool or splashing around in the ocean. If you have experienced headaches related to swimming, you likely want to get to the bottom of why and how to prevent them in the future.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover the link between swimming and headaches, explain the potential causes and contributing factors, provide tips for pain relief, and give recommendations on how to swim without setting off uncomfortable headaches.

Connection Between Swimming and Headaches

So can swimming actually instigate headaches? Well, spending time in pools, oceans, or any body of water can directly or indirectly lead to multiple types of headache, including:

• Tension headaches
• Swim-induced migraines
• Sinus headaches
• Exertion headaches
• Chemical-induced headaches

The cold temperature, physical intensity, chemical exposure, and environmental factors surrounding swimming can all impact headaches. We will break down the specifics below.

Temperature Changes

One reason swimming may prompt headaches is the abrupt change in temperature. Both the cold water itself coupled with getting out of the pool into warmer air can trigger headaches.

How exactly does temperature swing cause head pain? The rapid constriction and dilation of blood vessels in attempt to regulate body temperature places strain on surrounding nerves and tissues.

Those prone to migraines are especially at risk for experiencing headache after intense temperature changes. But even people who rarely get headaches can experience swimming-induced discomfort from the blood vessel fluctuations.

Physical Exertion

Another contributor to swimming headaches is simply the physical intensity involved. Laps, water aerobics, or playfully horsing around for hours in the pool all burning energy and strength.

Physical exertion prompts dehydration and overheating, two common triggers for headaches. Also, clenching facial and neck muscles while swimming can set off tension headaches after the fact.

Sinus Pressure

Swimming underwater also prompts pressure changes within the sinus cavities. This can aggravate sinus tissue and stimulate sinus headaches for frequent or competitive swimmers.

Diving deep underwater and ascending towards the surface causes sinus discomfort and facial pain for some swimmers as air pressure rapidly shifts.

Chemical Exposure

Certain chemicals used for pool maintenance can also cause headaches with overexposure. Chlorine and bromine are two sanitizing chemicals often blamed for headache development.

Inhaling airborne chemical fumes surrounding an indoor swimming pool with poor ventilation is a frequent headache trigger. Chemical sensitivity, asthma, and allergies heighten risk.

Eye Strain

Straining to see while swimming can also lead to headache! Squinting through goggles, getting irritated chlorinated water in eyes, or forgetting swim goggles altogether prompts eye fatigue.

Frontal headaches often stem from overworked eye muscles and optical discomfort when swimming. This is especially true in outdoor pools on sunny days.

What Other Symptoms Accompany Swimming Headaches?

Along with head pain, those who experience swimming headaches may also suffer:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Sinus congestion
• Runny nose
• Fatigue

These associated symptoms provide clues as to the type of headache and appropriate treatment options to discuss with your doctor.

Risk Factors and Contributing Causes

While anyone hopping into a pool is at some level of risk for headaches, certain factors increase susceptibility:

Genetics

Those born to families with histories of chronic headaches and migraines are at higher risk for swim-related head pain. Hereditary likelihood for headaches implies sensitive neurology and blood vessels.

Age and Gender

Both young children and older adults seem to experience more swimming-provoked headaches. Also, statistically headaches impact:

• 3 times as many adult females than males
• Twice as many boys than girls before puberty

Hormonal fluctuations likely influence headache prevalence in women and young boys.

Sinus Problems

People prone to sinus infections and inflammation frequently report headache onset while swimming. Any activity that alters sinus pressure has potential to aggravate sensitive respiratory tissue.

Previous Head Injury

Those with a prior concussion or head trauma often notice easier triggering of headaches. Brain injury appears to disrupt neurological stasis long-term.

Anxiety and Stress

Mental health disorders like anxiety and clinical stress also correlate to increased complaint of exertion headaches around physical activity like swimming.

Dehydration

Lack of proper water intake before and after swimming is another preventable contributor to headache onset. Without adequate hydration, blood volume and flow is impacted.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Vigorous laps drain the body of electrolytes like potassium, sodium, chloride, and magnesium. An electrolyte deficiency exacerbates headache risk from rigorous swimming and sweating.

Poor Swimming Form

Using ineffective technique and body position while swimming overworks muscles. This strain and fatigue felt in neck, shoulders and back can spark headache.

Underlying Illness

People managing health conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome or autoimmune disorders seem significantly more headache-prone around exertion.

Tips for Relief and Prevention

If you continue experiencing headaches around swimming try the following adaptations and remedies to alleviate headaches:

Stay Hydrated

Prevent dehydration and electrolyte loss by sipping on sport drinks while swimming. Water alone may not restore nutrients depleted by heavy sweating from laps.

Take Frequent Breaks

Overexertion and muscle fatigue contributes to headaches so resting every 20-30 minutes can help. Get horizontal, nourish your body, and give strained musculoskeletal tissue periodic timeouts.

Adjust Pool Chemicals

If swimming in chlorinated water, confirm sanitizing chemical levels meet safety standards. Improper pH, insufficient or excessive disinfectant can cause airway and tissue irritation.

Improve Ventilation

Indoor pools with poor air circulation allow buildup of nostril-irritating chemicals. Proper ventilation, doors, windows and fans help maintain cleaner, headache-free air.

Limit Diving Depth

Avoid intense underwater pressure changes by restricting diving depth. Descend and ascend gradually to equalize inner ear and sinus pressure.

Loosen Swim Caps

Tight elastic bands pressing on temples and forehead can spark headache. Position cap further back on head or try styles with looser fit around hairline.

Apply Warm Compresses

Alleviate sinus pressure and muscular tension after swimming with moist heat packs. Use alongside massage and rest for natural headache relief.

Take Over-the-Counter Medication

For stubborn swim headaches, take NSAIDs like ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen following label instructions. Stay hydrated to avoid stomach upset or complications.

See a Doctor

Consult a physician if OTC meds fail to resolve recurring post-swim headaches. You may need prescription relief or treatment for underlying cause like chronic migraine.

When to Seek Medical Care

While occasional mild headache from swimming typically resolves independently, seek prompt medical attention if you experience:

• Sudden, severe head pain
• Headaches steadily worsening in pattern or intensity
• Vision changes
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Fever
• Stiff neck

These accompanying headache symptoms can indicate serious health issues requiring emergency care, like meningitis, aneurysm, or hemorrhage. Call 911 or go to your nearest Emergency Department if worried.

How to Prevent Swimming Headaches

Reduce headache likelihood associated with swimming using these preventive tips:

• Swim in saltwater instead of heavily chlorinated pools
• Wear well-fitted goggles to avoid eye strain and irritation
• Keep ears and sinuses free of trapped water after swimming
• Avoid overexertion by pacing laps and intensity
• Maintain proper hydration and nutrient levels
• Apply petroleum jelly inside nostrils before jumping in
• Take over-the-counter NSAIDs preventatively if prone to exertion headaches
• Improve stroke technique and body positioning to prevent neck tension

Paying attention to headache triggers and signaling from your body helps limit headaches instigated from time spent in pools and natural waters.

The Bottom Line

So can swimming cause headaches? For many people, yes - spending extensive time immersed in water can directly or indirectly bring on head pain.

Temperature change, overexertion, chemical irritation, sinus pressure and eye strain during swimming provoke tension headaches, migraines, and sinus pain for some swimmers.

Adjusting aspects of your swim environment, activity level, gear and post-swim recovery can help prevent recurring headaches!

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.