Can You Blame Your Headache on the Weather?

How many times have you, or someone you know complained about a change in the weather triggering a headache? Many people are affected by changes in barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, air pollution and the amount of sunlight. This article will explore the commonly held belief that weather changes can cause headaches and what can be done to prevent and treat them.

The relationship between headaches and weather is poorly understood. Medical authorities have reported mixed results in research studies on this topic. The effects of both high and low temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, presence of rain, sunshine, wind, spherics or electromagnetic impulses, air pollution or even the amount of caffeinated beverages consumed as a result of hot/cold weather have all been implicated as a headache trigger. Although physicians may agree that weather changes do affect headache frequency, each patient is unique. Research has not concluded that any single type of weather occurrence affects everyone similarly.

Headaches are a common occurrence. In fact over the course of your lifetime you have a 90% probability of experiencing a headache. The most common headaches in order of frequency are:

• Tension headaches (80-90%)
• Migraine headaches (12-18%)
• Cluster headaches (1%)

Of the headache types listed above, migraine headaches have been most implicated in weather related headaches. Migraine headaches symptoms are:

• Headache usually begins in the morning. Lasts from 4-72 hours.
• The pain is usually on one side of the face, although it can involve both sides.
• Pain is made worse with normal activity and gradually worsens.
• Sensitivity to sound and/or light
• Nausea and/or vomiting with pain
• Headache preceded by visual symptoms such as seeing flickering lights, spots, wavy lines. These symptoms last less than one hour and resolve.
• Nasal congestion/drainage. Watery eyes

Possibly the best explanation for migraine headaches being mentioned is that migraineurs are both psychologically and physiologically more sensitive to both internal and external stimuli. Reviewing migraine triggers best illustrates this point. Common risk factors for migraine headaches are:

• Hormonal- including monthly cycles, pregnancy, birth control pill or hormone replacement therapy.
• Exercise/exertion-overexertion, occasional exercise, head injury or eye strain
• Environmental factors- including weather changes, stress/emotion, missed meals, strong odors, smoke, too much or not enough sleep
• Foods-caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, aged cheese, cultured dairy products (yogurt and sour cream), nitrates (cured meat), fruits (avocado, bananas, citrus, figs, pineapple or raisins), vegetables (beans, olives, onions, pickles, snow peas), sulfites and yeast.
• Medication-barbiturates, benzodiazepines (xanax, ativan, klonopin) opioids, ergotamine and caffeine compounds. These medications can both treat headaches and cause headaches.

If you determined that weather changes precede your headaches it would be helpful to document this by keeping a headache diary. A headache diary should include:

• Date
• Time-began and ended
• Warning signs
• Description of pain
• Intensity of pain-mild to severe
• Location-example, forehead, behind eyes, back of head, neck etc.
• Treatment used and effect
• Amount of sleep the night before
• What you ate prior to the headache
• Recent events prior to headache-example stressful event, exercise or injury
• Any additional comments you feel are important-example weather front etc

Keep the diary for at least a month. Bring the diary with you at next appointment with your doctor. You and your doctor can discuss the results and discuss treatment options.

Should your doctor diagnose migraine headaches as the cause of your headaches, there are several forms of treatments depending on the frequency, severity and pre-existing medical conditions. Some treatment options are:

• Over the counter analgesics- aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These are effective for mild headaches. They are more effective when taken at the onset. They also could presumably be used prophylactily, however this could also predispose one to medication overuse.
• Triptans-Prescription treatment of Migraines. This class includes Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig,Relpax and Frova etc.
• Ergots-Presciption treatment of migraines. This class includes Cafergot, Wigraine, Butisol and injectable DHE 45.

If you experience frequent headaches, more than 1 per week associated with weather changes you should see your doctor. A specialist in this field is an ears, nose and throat doctor or Ototlaryngologist. They can evaluate your headache symptoms and order the appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment. Should you have any further questions, you can contact us at http://www.atlantaallergyotolaryngologycenter.com/

Kristy Bagwell