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Weather It Is...

If you've ever felt a change in your body due to the weather, then you are one of the many people who are affected by weather changes. One of the major issues that people have with changes in weather is migraines. The barometric pressure creates a migraine-like headache, or it induces a migraine and can be very difficult to manage. Scientists are unsure of why changes in the weather cause headaches and migraines.

One Theory about Weather Migraines

Some scientists do believe that the weather migraines are due to the changes in oxygen levels. It is possible that blood vessels in the head expand and contract to compensate for the weather changes. One of the reasons that someone might feel a migraine is because the blood vessels in their body are changing. This could explain the sudden onset of migraines with weather changes, flying, hiking and traveling to a new location.

Studies on Weather Migraines

One group of researchers, led by Dr. Galina Mindlin of Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, compared how regular people and those who were prone to migraines did with changing weather conditions. They did find that migraines are more likely to occur when pressure rises. They also found that the migraines were somewhat more likely when the temperature rose. Other research has pointed to the idea that a variety of weather changes, acting together, actually trigger the migraines. One interesting study in 1981, for instance, found that during phase 4 weather conditions, migraines increased. These are conditions that see low pressure, warm fronts, high temperatures, humidity, and overcast skies.

What You Should Do

Fortunately, if you know that you are prone to weather headaches, you can keep close watch of the news and prepare, at times, for these conditions. You should keep track of the effects that weather has on your headaches so that you know which conditions are most likely to trigger your issues. Invest in a good barometer and keep track of how the barometric changes affect your headaches. Speak with your doctor about medications you can take when you feel a headache appearing. Bring your diary where you track your weather related headaches to your doctor's appointment so that you can show him your results. Finally, when you are having pressure problems, try to use a humidifier or ionizer and lie down in a dark, quiet room. If you have access to a waterfall or river, some people claim that these bodies of water can sooth your incoming migraine issues.  You certainly want to catch the symptoms before they develop into a full blown migraine.

Weather related migraines are not all in your head. If you are a weather-related migraine sufferer, get the facts so that you can learn to deal with your pain and be more comfortable. Keep track of how your pain ebbs and flows with the weather and take charge of your preventative care.