Why the weather is really giving you a headache

If you are one of 39 million Americans in America living with migraineA good chance is a sharp chance Headache When the weather changes, it will start.

You are not alone. studies 30% to 50% of people with migraine identify some types of weather changes as trigger, making it Most informed migraine sourceNevertheless, this is also the most surprising.

Some people are more sensitive to weather

As a Neurologist and headache specialist Practicing in Colorado, a place with continuous weather shifts, patients often tell me that the weather is one of their biggest migraine triggers. Can result Disrupt work, school and social schemesAnd create a feeling of helplessness.

Doctors still do not fully understand why some brains are more sensitive to environmental changes.

What we know is that people with migraine have especially Sensitive nervous system And they can activate some environmental changes – such as air pressure, temperature, humidity and air quality – can activate the routes in the brain that cause pain.

Major methods can trigger migraine

Weather trigger may vary from person to another, but some common migraines are criminals:

The pressure of the barometer changes, Or Atmospheric pressure changesOne of the most quoted triggers.

When a storm system goes inside, the air pressure decreases. Some scientists believe that this change can affect the pressure inside your head or how blood vessels in your brain can be diluted and narrowed.

One theory is that changes in barometer pressure can lead to a small imbalance under pressure inside your skull and external environment. That might be Stimulate straight pain-sensitive nerves The head, trigger inflammation and the onset of a migraine.

Others indicate inflammation, the way the brain processes sensory input, and it changes Serotonin level – Those who play an important role in activating migraine.

Temperature extremes, with Very hot or very cold daysOr Sudden change in temperatureCan throw the internal balance of the body. High humidity or rapid change Moisture levels can have a similar effect.

air pollutants Ozone and nitrogen dioxide Can cause inflammation in the veins that play a role in migraine,

Bright sunlight Particularly disturbing may be, the possibility that sensitivity to light and a highly active visual processing system in the brain.

lightning And strong winds Some individuals may also be associated with migraine attacks.

In short, weather changes can act as stress on a brain that is already Wired to be more sensitiveAccurate triggers and reactions differ from individual to another, but research suggests that interaction between weather and our biology plays an important role for migraine patients.

You can take steps to reduce pain

You cannot change the weather, but you can be active. Here are some suggestions that help in completing your migraine routine:

1. Track your migraine and see the forecast: Use one Migraine diary Or app to track when attacks with weather conditions. Pattern may emerge, such as a day before the rain or during a change in temperature, which will allow you to adjust your schedule or pharmaceutical plan.
2. develop Healthy food, sleep and exercise habits: Dehydration, poor sleep and left food measures can increase the effects of weather trigger, so placing your body on a single nail helps reduce vulnerability. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can also help.
3. Create a migraine -friendly environment: When the sun is hard or the humidity is high, stay inside. Sunglasses, eye masks or even blue-light glasses can be helpful. Some people feel that some Earplug The middle ears are capable of reducing changes in pressure felt.
4. Effort AttentionMindfulness technique or BiofeedbackWhich teaches people to moderate their physical reactions, such as muscle reactions and breathing. These strategies can help your nervous system become less reactive over time, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with uncontrollable trigger like weather.
5. Consider the preparation: If you know that a storm is likely to trigger your migraine, then you can Keep rescue drugs close Or even treat yourself during weather events.
6. See in preventive treatment: If the weather constantly triggers migraine, talk to your health care provider Preventive treatment-Medication, supplements or neuromodulation devices- which can be used regularly to reduce the occurrence of migraine.

Big picture

It is important to remember that while the weather can be a trigger, it is rarely only one. Migraine is usually the result of an ideal storm of factors: genetic sensitivity, hormones, stress, sleep, food, and, yes, weather.

That is why identifying your individual trigger and building a plan, if necessary, can create a big difference in the management of migraine, if necessary.

The weather -related migraine can be one of the most disappointing triggers because it feels completely out of your hands. However, with knowledge, tracking and correct treatment strategies, you can withdraw a sense of control.

Daniel wilhoreAssistant Professor of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical CampusThis article has been reinstated Conversation Under a Creative Commons License. read the Original article,