External Triggers like Weather Affect Headache-Prone Patients More Acutely
Raceland, LA - For headache sufferers, the unpredictability of our region's weather can do more than ruin outdoor plans - it can trigger a migraine. Migraine-prone individuals are known to be more sensitive to external factors like diet, light, and stress, but research suggests that heat also has an impact. "Migraines, or severe throbbing headaches, that affect millions of Americans, are typically triggered by change - a change in diet, a change in sleep patterns, and, a change in the environment. As a result, a spike in temperature is a common culprit for bringing on migraine headaches," says Dr. Jamie Huddleston, Neurologist at Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital.
In fact, up to 75 percent of headache victims blame weather for the onset of their headaches, suggests a recent survey from the National Headache Foundation. In the survey, headache sufferers were given a list of 16 possible triggers. They ranked the factors based on what most often brought on their migraines and other headaches. Three out of every four respondents said that weather and/or humidity triggered their headache pain.
Heat can lead to migraines for a variety of reasons, the primary being that migraine sufferers are simply more sensitive than other individuals, so hot weather poses a high risk of triggering headaches. For example, the extended, bright sunlight that comes with a hot day can be a trigger, as can a change in the atmospheric pressure.
"Atmospheric pressure can influence the onset of a migraine because of its impact on blood vessels in and around the brain, causing them to dilate or swell," explains Dr. Huddleston. "When a brewing storm causes the barometric pressure to change, migraine patients often report experiencing a blur or ‘shimmer' around their peripheral vision. The onset of a migraine is usually quick to follow that symptom," Dr. Huddleston adds. And, since afternoon storms are an almost daily occurrence in Southeast Louisiana, this can be a particularly significant problem.
Medical research does offer hope that migraine sufferers can prevent headaches by being proactive. To enjoy summer activities while avoiding migraine headaches, Dr. Huddleston suggests patients should:
• Run errands and exercise in the cooler morning or evening hours
• Apply cold packs to the head and/or neck
• Stay hydrated with cool beverages
• Keep a "headache diary" for several days, to determine what usually causes your headaches
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