Introduction to Migraines and Weather-Related Triggers
Around 10 million people in the UK suffer from migraines. This type of headache is described as an intense, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head or face. Along with the severe pain, migraines often come with nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Leading up to the migraine, many people experience auras. Auras are temporary sensory changes that happen before the headache starts. Common auras include flashing lights, strange smells, tingling or numbness, and limb weakness. Auras don't last long (usually 30 minutes or less), and usually resolve as the headache starts.
Migraines can last anywhere from hours to days and can significantly affect sufferers' daily lives. Many factors are known to trigger migraine attacks, including diet (which may be individual food triggers or skipping meals), hormones, sleep, stress, and weather changes.
Understanding the connection between weather and migraines is important as it can help individuals prepare for potential migraine attacks. Let's learn more about how weather-related changes can cause migraine symptoms.
The Science Behind Weather-Induced Migraines
How Barometric Pressure Affects Migraines
Barometric pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, is the pressure in the air. Generally speaking, high air pressure is associated with hot, dry weather, and low air pressure is associated with more unstable weather conditions like rainstorms. Pressure is measured in hectopascals (hPa).
Barometric pressure changes have been shown to induce a migraine attack in some individuals. Scientific studies have shown that falling barometric pressure can be a migraine trigger, with decreases of 6–10 hPa most frequently associated with migraines.
Another study showed that air pressure drops are linked to increased pain levels during migraine attacks. However, one other study demonstrated that only some groups of people with migraines are sensitive to these changes.
We don't know exactly how barometric pressure changes trigger migraines, but there are a few theories. Constriction of blood vessels reduced oxygen to the brain, and overstimulation of certain brain areas are some possible causes.
Temperature Changes and Migraine Occurrence
Temperature changes and extremely hot or cold temperatures can trigger migraines in some people. One study suggests this is due to personal sensitivity to temperature, and that pre-disposed individuals are more likely to experience migraines in winter.
In other people, hot or dry weather may lead to an increase in migraine attacks, possibly due to dehydration. However, another study found no relationship between temperature and migraine headaches (or tension headaches).
More research is needed in this area. But there are some theories to explain the link between cold weather and migraines, including changes in brain chemicals like serotonin, and that the cold weather dries out the sinuses, leading to headaches.
Other Weather Conditions Influencing Migraines
Bright sunlight, dry air, and windy or stormy weather are also potential triggers for migraines. As bright light is a known migraine trigger, it makes sense that sunlight could trigger migraine symptoms.
With stormy weather, the changing pressure is likely to cause chemical and electrical changes in the brain, which can lead to an attack. Dry air and wind can lead to dehydration of your sinuses, which in turn can lead to a migraine headache.
Identifying Your Weather-Related Migraine Triggers
Keeping a Migraine Diary
A headache diary can accurately track weather patterns and their impact on your migraines. For accurate tracking, it's best to include the following headache diary data:
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Basic Information - Date, day of the week, length of the attack, and the severity of the headache (e.g., mild, moderate, severe, or on a scale from 1-10).
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Symptoms - Any other symptoms experienced alongside the headache, such as dizziness, sensitivity to light, sound, or smells, as well as any symptoms that affect movement (e.g., numbness/tingling).
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Medication - Medications taken, including the type, dose, and the time they were taken.
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Triggers and Warning Signs - Potential triggers, changes in medication, stress levels, and warning signs leading up to the attack.
Recognising Patterns and Triggers
Review your diary data to try and identify specific weather-related migraine triggers. By checking it regularly, you'll also see whether you're writing down enough information.
Pay particular attention to common weather-specific migraine triggers like temperature, high humidity, pressure changes, lots of wind, and very bright days.
Remember, people with migraines can have several migraine triggers affecting them at the same time. It might be challenging to single out weather as the sole cause of a migraine.
Managing and Preventing Weather-Induced Migraines
Lifestyle and Environmental Adjustments
There are a few changes you can make to help manage weather-induced migraines.
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Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is a common trigger for migraines, so it's important to stay well-hydrated, especially during hot or humid weather. -
Manage Exposure to Extreme Conditions
During extreme weather changes, like very hot or cold temperatures, try to stay in a comfortable environment with adequate heating/air conditioning, and ventilation. -
Wear Appropriate Gear
When going outside into potentially triggering weather, such as bright sunlight or hot temperatures, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and loose-fitting clothing can help reduce the impact of these triggers. -
Monitor The Weather
By keeping an eye on the weather forecast, you can anticipate potential triggers and plan your activities accordingly. -
Control Other Potential Triggers
Weather changes often work in combination with other triggers like stress, poor sleep, and certain foods. Try to manage these where you can.
By making these lifestyle adjustments, you may be able to reduce how often you suffer weather-induced migraines.
Medication and Treatment Options
Generally, migraine medications can be grouped into preventative and acute medications.
Acute medications are taken when migraine symptoms start, to stop the symptoms or shorten how long the migraine lasts. These medications include painkillers like paracetamol or aspirin, anti-sickness medications, triptans, and a new type of medication called gepants.
Preventative medications are taken all the time to reduce the chance of getting a migraine. These include drugs that control your blood pressure and drugs that affect the chemicals in your brain, like anti-depressants and anti-epileptics.
Other than simple painkillers, migraine medications will need to be discussed with a healthcare professional. But when is the right time to seek help?
When to Seek Professional Help
If you notice your migraines are happening more often, are more painful, or are lasting longer, it's time to see a medical professional. This is especially important if you're having more than one migraine a week or struggling to control the migraines, as it's likely this will have a big impact on your life.
You may need more urgent care if a migraine lasts longer than 72 hours, the aura symptoms last longer than an hour, or you're pregnant. In these cases, call 111 for advice.
Call an ambulance if you/someone you know has a sudden extremely painful headache, loss of vision, a seizure, is unable to speak or remember things, or can't move one side of their body/face.
The Role of Technology in Predicting and Managing Migraines
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, digital migraine self-management tools are becoming more popular. Apps can make tracking symptoms and triggers like weather a lot easier. Some apps even provide migraine-tailored cognitive behavioural therapy and educational content on migraines.
As these apps are relatively new, more research is needed into how effective they are.
Conclusion: Navigating the Storm of Weather-Related Migraines
Weather patterns can trigger migraines in some people, so it's worth keeping a migraine diary to identify any weather pattern triggers. Being aware of your triggers can help reduce the chances of suffering from a migraine.
If you need extra help with managing your migraines, start an online consultation with the Quick Meds team today.
FAQs
Why do I get migraines when the weather is bad?
Migraines can be triggered by changes in the weather - specifically temperature, pressure, and humidity changes as well as wind and bright sunlight. Not everyone with migraines is affected by the weather, but it is a trigger for some people.
How long do weather migraines last?
Everyone is different. Some people notice their symptoms start before the bad weather and end after a few minutes. For others, an attack can last hours or days. However, you may find yourself more likely to have another attack if the weather that triggered the attack continues.
What time of year is worst for migraine attacks?
As we mentioned earlier, a cold-weather migraine that happens in winter seems to be the most common type of weather-triggered migraine. But this varies, and some people find their migraine symptoms are triggered by hot weather.
Are barometric headaches migraines?
A change in barometric pressure can trigger migraine attacks, but some people without a history of migraines do experience barometric pressure headaches. The two can be related but they're different.
Does the sun make migraines worse?
For some people, bright sunlight is a definite migraine trigger. For others, it doesn't affect their migraines. Everyone is different.
Can sudden weather changes trigger a migraine even if I'm indoors?
If you're affected by wind and sunlight, your migraines are more likely to be triggered when you've been outside.
However, if you're triggered by temperature, humidity, or pressure changes, these also affect the inside environment. In these cases, you may experience weather-related migraine symptoms when inside.