Posted in migraines

Which weather changes trigger migraine headaches?

Which weather patterns or changes in weather might trigger your migraine attacks depends on you.

Every person with migraine likely has a unique set of triggers which may include stress, certain foods, alcohol, and other factors. In the same way, some people with migraine are likely sensitive to one weather factor, and others are sensitive to other factors.

An American study found that some people with migraine appear to be sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. Another American study found that higher temperatures increased the number of patients with migraine who went to the Emergency Department with headache. Barometric pressure may be another factor.

One study looked at whether falling barometric pressure seemed to trigger headaches during a time when a typhoon hit Japan. It found that 75% of people with migraine had migraine attacks associated with the drop in barometric pressure while only 20% of people with tension-type headache experienced an attack.

The amount of sunshine may also be a factor. In a study from Austria, sunshine on more than 3 hours a day increased the possibility of a migraine, and a Norwegian study found that migraines were more likely during the long summer days in the Arctic.

It does seem clear that different people with migraine may have different weather-related triggers. In a study which involved the chinook winds, a powerful weather system in Western Canada, it was found that some with migraine were sensitive to the day before the Chinook wind started at a time when barometric pressure was falling. Others tended to have more migraines the next day when the wind was blowing, although this increased risk was only present if the wind was quite strong. So, even though both groups were chinook sensitive, there seemed to be two different ways in which this weather system could trigger migraines.

In conclusion, many different weather patterns have been found in different research studies to increase the chances of having a migraine attack in some people, but not in others. Just how these weather patterns cause this is not known.

Originally posted on my https://niume.com/post/49640 blog.

Source: American Migraine Foundation

Image source: migravent.com
Footnote:  I lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for numerous years and the Chinook wind changes in winter were absolute hell!   Too-many-too-count trips were made to the ER get rid of these horrible migraines.  On one day it could be -33C, and the following day the temperature could rise to +15C.  Ugh.

Author:

Writer, poet, blogger, advocate of mental illness stigma

6 thoughts on “Which weather changes trigger migraine headaches?

    1. I’m happy we’ve connected. I take Relpax (expensive) in pill form but you have to take it at the first sign of a migraine. It has worked out well. Glad you have success with Zomig. 🙂

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  1. Good post. I live in South Dakota and we deal with wind on a daily basis. I know the changes in barometric pressure gives me migraines. But I am also very sensitive to smells. I can no longer wear perfume but body spray which don’t give me a migraine as it is less potent. I also get them from my Lupus and Fibro.

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    1. I am so sensitive to smells also, and if anyone comes close to me with a cigar, I’m instant migraine! My main triggers are perfume, cigarette smoke, loud, pounding music (including the idiot with the car beside me at a stop light), lights flickering, weather, there’s more but too many to list. I always wondered why men think they have to bathe themselves in cologne and not notice they overpower everyone else’s nostrils.

      Thanks for commenting. You have a triple struggle with your illnesses, sorry you have to endure these, life is so unfair. Stay strong. Hugs.

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