If you’ve been experiencing unexplained headaches this week, you’re not alone.
Doctors say the storms along the East Coast may have caused migraine headaches in millions of Americans, even those who are not normally prone to them.
They told DailyMail.com that while “the true mechanism is unknown”, this could be due to changes in atmospheric pressure that accompany heavy rainfall and humidity.
When this pressure decreases, more air enters the sinuses, causing headaches and sinus pain. In addition, extreme weather conditions, such as thunder and strong wind, trigger electrical signals in the brain that cause pain.
Neurologists told DailyMail.com that weather changes such as heavy rain and humidity could increase sinus pressure, leading to headaches and migraines.
Atmospheric pressure, also called barometric pressure, is the weight of air, which changes depending on the weather: for example, it is usually high when the weather is good and low before or during storms.
Dr Noah Rosen, a neurologist specialising in headaches and migraines at Northwell Health in New York, told DailyMail.com: “Weather is made up of many factors, many of which could influence migraine. Barometric pressure is certainly one of them.”
Human sinuses are filled with air, and when the barometric pressure drops due to a storm, a difference is created between the pressure of the outside air and the air in the sinuses, resulting in pain.
Researchers in Yale University It was also discovered last year that when temperatures change dramatically, they stimulate neurons in the brain that process pain.
Cloudy, windy and rainy weather creates low barometric pressure, while dry, cold temperatures increase atmospheric pressure. And longer periods of bad weather can increase the risk of triggering a migraine.
Dr. Emad Estemalik, a headache and facial pain specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, sayingFor some people, it’s a drop in barometric pressure, for others, it might be a rapid rise in temperature.
‘Either way, when these pressure changes occur, most commonly during a storm, a headache can be triggered.’
Dr Rosen added: “Air mass, wind speed and the presence of thunderstorms (with associated lightning) also appear to have an association.”
TO Study 2023 They found that among 15,000 Japanese adults diagnosed with migraine, low barometric pressure, changes in barometric pressure, high humidity, and precipitation were associated with an increased number of headaches.
Additional investigation A study in Japan found that 75 percent of people suffered from headaches after a typhoon hit their area.
People on the East Coast may be more likely to experience these types of headaches and migraines due to the increased risk of hurricanes.
Research of Sarasota NeurologyFor example, they found that patients in Florida, where hurricanes are common, suffer more headache and migraine attacks during hurricane season than any other time of the year.
“It’s not clear whether there is a geographic area that is at higher risk, but those that are more prone to extreme climate change may be increasing their exposure,” Dr. Rosen said.
“Weather patterns are changing and extreme weather events are likely to increase in certain areas, which will undoubtedly create additional stressors. We already see large parts of the United States exposed to extreme heat, as well as monsoons and hurricanes.”
Washingtonians, including those on Capitol Hill, are under a tornado watch as storms head toward DC. This could be due to residual effects from Hurricane Debby that hit Florida last week.
According to experts, the above graphic highlights other health risks that hurricanes can pose. These include mental health problems due to damage, asthma due to pollen being carried along, encounters with dangerous wildlife that have been displaced, and water contamination, which poses a serious health risk.
Patients with barometric headaches may experience pain on one or both sides of the head, pressure around the sinuses, difficulty concentrating, frequent yawning, and nausea.
Google Trends data also suggested an increase in weather-related headaches, as terms like “headache,” “migraine,” and “migraine weather” saw spikes on Thursday and Friday, when the East Coast saw heavy amounts of rain.
For those who regularly suffer from headaches and migraines, Dr. Estemalik recommends avoiding other triggers during gloomy weather to avoid further aggravating symptoms.
“While you can’t control the weather, you can take steps to minimize the risk, severity and treatment of a headache or migraine attack by following some best practices,” she said.
These are different for each person, but some of the most common triggers include caffeine, stress, and processed foods.
Keeping a diary of each headache occurrence and its symptoms can also help you determine if bad weather is a trigger.
“Trust your instincts. Many of my patients seem to be as accurate as a weatherman,” said Dr. Rosen.
‘Stay cool in hot weather and hydrate properly. Avoid sudden transitions from hot to cold. Stay dry and be prepared to treat yourself if bad weather looks likely to give you a headache.’