Weather Change Triggers Migraine Attacks

Migraine, defined as a headache syndrome that progresses in attacks, is a problem that affects approximately 16 percent of society today. Migraine, which is closely related to the daily life, work, and social life of the person, is also important in terms of the socioeconomic problems it creates. Pointing out that many factors trigger migraine attacks, Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan emphasized that weather changes are also an important trigger for migraine attacks.

A study conducted in 2018 showed that the weather is perceived as a common trigger for migraine headaches by patients with migraine, and many studies were conducted on the subject. However, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özcan stated that the findings obtained from epidemiological studies are still insufficient, and explained that weather changes can cause pain by triggering different variables.

The Cause of the Attacks Is Not Known Exactly

Reminding that it is still not known exactly what causes migraine attacks, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said that although it varies from person to person, some triggers are also effective. Certain foods, hormonal changes, and stress are among the most frequently cited migraine triggers, while variable weather conditions are also an important factor. Reminding that not everyone reacts to every weather change in the same way, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özcan said, “While heat triggers pain in some people, cold weather can trigger migraines in others. In some cases, multiple factors may need to come together to trigger an attack. The link between migraine and weather has not been clearly demonstrated, partly due to the difficulty of research. Weather changes can trigger different variables and cause pain.”

Not All Factors Affect Everyone in the Same Way

Stating that the approach to prevent attacks is primarily adopted in migraine, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “Although migraine progresses differently in everyone, weather changes can trigger migraine attacks to a large extent. Especially the strong breeze makes migraine attacks very frequent. Likewise, hot and humid weather increases migraine attacks. In addition, during seasonal changes, the transition from winter to summer and the transition from summer to winter, the body gets used to something and it can affect migraine when changes begin to occur there. Very dry, humid, and cold weather can also affect this, but especially hot and humid weather increases the attacks. Although it varies from person to person, sleeping a lot in some patients, sleeping less in some patients, hunger in some patients, skipping meals in some people, and weather changes in some people can trigger attacks too much.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan gave important information about weather changes and their effect on migraine attacks.

Dehydration Due to Humidity and Temperature Could Be the Cause of the Attack

Reminding that humidity and temperature changes in migraine patients generally differ from person to person, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “In another study conducted in 2017, the rates of admission to hospital due to weather changes and related migraine attacks were examined, and it was determined that while admissions to the hospital increased in hot and humid weather, this rate was lower in cold and dry weather. One of the reasons why attacks increase during these periods may be dehydration (loss of fluid in the body). Because dehydration is a trigger in itself in migraine patients.” Pointing out that some measures should be taken to prevent moisture-related pain, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “In this regard, moisture-preventive devices such as air conditioners can be used. Likewise, not going out in very humid and hot weather is one of the measures that can be taken.”

Pressure May Be the Source of Pain in the Spring Months

Reminding that the change in the barometric pressure of the air can also cause migraine attacks in some people, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “Pressure differences due to temperature changes, especially during seasonal transitions such as spring and autumn, can trigger migraines. Migraines are thought to be caused by differences in blood flow due to blood vessel dilation associated with the effect of changes in the physical load exerted on the body by atmospheric pressure.”

Saying that migraine tends to be seen more at high altitudes, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan stated, “It can also be caused by reasons such as drying of the air and a decrease in pressure at high altitudes.”

“Migraines Don't Like the Strong Breeze”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan also talked about the winds listed at the beginning of migraine triggers: “It is especially expressed by patients that attacks increase in a strong breeze and windy weather. However, in some studies, it was shown that patient complaints increase during these periods. For this reason, we do not recommend the patient to go outside unless it is an essential situation in windy weather. We want him/her to make the lifestyle changes that are actually the goal of treatment.”

Why Are Women Unlucky?

Explaining that although it is known that migraine is more common among women than men, the cause of them is not known exactly, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özcan said, “The fact that it appears more especially in the menstrual period suggests that hormone changes trigger this. Therefore, we think that hormonal changes in women may cause these migraine attacks to be seen more frequently.”

“Migraine Patients Should Keep a Headache Diary”

Reminding that each person experiences migraine attacks differently, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan stated that it would be beneficial for patients to keep a "migraine diary" in order to draw the character of migraine and continued his words as follows:

“We ask patients to keep a monthly headache diary and take small notes here, including when the pain started, what they did before, how long it lasted, what medications they used, and what they ate before. Here, our aim is not only to monitor the number of headaches experienced by the patient in a month and painkillers but also to increase the awareness and insight of the patient about himself/herself. To draw the character of his/her migraine. In this way, the patient can see more clearly what triggers his/her migraine in his/her daily life and can make the necessary changes. In this way, most of the attacks can be controlled.”

Do We Have to Live with Migraines?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Emin Özcan said that there is currently no medication that can completely eliminate migraine, but there are treatments that can significantly reduce the number of attacks, and gave the following information about the treatment: “In some migraine cases, we can almost completely eliminate migraine attacks with the medications we use, or we can interrupt the attacks for a long time with treatment. However, patients try to manage the attacks on their own, resulting in the constant use of painkillers. This can also lead to what we call headaches due to painkillers. Therefore, they must consult a neurologist specialized in this subject and change their lifestyle.”