Anybody else get headaches after shooting?

[whipkiller]

I've been noticing that I often get stress/tension headaches (like up the back of the skull) when shooting for awhile. I haven't quite narrowed down the cause yet; could be combination of wearing the eyes & ears, sometimes I feel like maybe I'm clinching my jaw.

I was thinking maybe it was all the crap I'm breathing, but it happens outdoors sometimes too.

Maybe I'm just getting myself too pumped 'cuz I haven't been shooting as often as I used to (when I was single and dating the girl who worked at the range) so I'm not as relaxed.

Anybody else?

[stix213]

Could it be the position you have your head/neck in? (I'm not any kind of doctor or anything)

[Paper Boy]

Only time I have is when I had a horrible sinus infection and I think the pressure from the shot was messing with my head since it was so clogged up. Maybe try a better padded head set?

[Kodemonkey]

Check your ear protection. I've had some over the head ear protection give me a headache.

It could also be not enough noise reduction. Try muffs and plugs at the same time and see if that helps if you can determine it is not your muffs causing the headache.

I'd wear the muffs around the house for an hour to see if it is causing it

[G-forceJunkie]

More ear protection. If your outside shooting all day in the summer, hydrate more.

[CK_32]

Only reason I get head aches is when I'm in the desert sun for 8 hours and don't hydrate.
You might want to being this up to your doctor.. Sounds like it's something internal not from shooting.

[L4D]

Sometimes from an indoor range of over an hour visit.

Outside you have to think about the exposure and hydration.

[Knight_Who_Says_Ni]

It could also be from the nitro compounds in the gun powder. These compounds will cause headaches.

[JAA88]

I have noticed the same problem sometimes, i think its from my ear protection being too tight.

[only10x]

yep, especially if you're wearing ear muffs over baseball caps.
Shooting outdoors could possibly be a hydration issue.

[The Bacon Eater]

I get depressed that i ran out of ammo. This usually leads to a headache.

[whipkiller]

Check your ear protection. I've had some over the head ear protection give me a headache.

It could also be not enough noise reduction. Try muffs and plugs at the same time and see if that helps if you can determine it is not your muffs causing the headache.

I'd wear the muffs around the house for an hour to see if it is causing it

This could have an added bonus... "What's that honey? No, I didn't hear you ask me to take out the trash."

"Of course I'm not ignoring you, why do you ask? Oh the giant earmuffs? I'm just conducting a test."

[The Bacon Eater]

I use surefire earpros and i dont get any headaches. I get used to them and forget they are in there. I dont wear muffs.

[Shellshocker66]

Sounds like the way your holding your head while shooting. Try practicing in front of a mirror or video camera and look at your stance just like you do it on the range. Then try relaxing your neck muscles and see if that helps.

If it were sinuses you would probably be feeling pressure in the frontal part of your head, dizziness, and so on. Same with Eustachian tubes (ear) if they were swelling from the earplugs/noise you would probably feel pressure in the ears, dizziness, and loss of balance.

[Saigon1965]

I sometime shoot indoor - MGMT is a bit on the cheap side and not turn on the exhaust system - I always ask them to turn in on - Without headaches galore -