Do the weather reports often make you anxious that there’s headaches in your forecast? It doesn’t matter if it’s a coming storm or a sunny day, either of them can cause a severe headache.
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Specialist in facial pain and headaches Emad Estemalik, MD, discusses how the weather can trigger a migraine or headache that is caused by barometric pressure and gives strategies to manage them.
The distinction is in headaches and migraines
Many people tend to group headaches and migraines in the same category.
“Many believe that migraines are simply terrible headaches but this isn’t entirely accurate,” Dr. Estemalik states. “Headaches and migraines may be caused by different things.”
Headaches of any degree of pain could be a sign of migraine However, a migraine is an actual neurological disorder or brain imbalance that can cause numerous other symptoms, in addition to headaches.
This can include sensitivity to light nausea and vomiting stomach pain, abdominal discomfort and loss of appetite. Other symptoms include blurred vision, dizziness, the sensation of tingling or numbness in rare instances.
The migraine episodes are caused by a variety of signals that interact with your brain blood vessels, as well as the surrounding nerves. This can cause all of the symptoms listed that are listed above. When you experience a migraine headache, specifically, certain blood vessels’ nerves are activated , sending signalling for pain messages to your brain.
What is a barometric tension headache?
Dr. Estemalik says that using the phrase “barometric tension headache” may be false. Many sufferers of allergies simply believe they have Barometric Pressure headaches and sinus headaches.
“A number of patients with sinus problems throughout their lives have migraines,” he continues. “Once we dig into their medical history and ask the appropriate questions, the conclusion is that they suffer from migraines and are mistakenly diagnosed with the sinus headaches.”
Headache symptoms triggered by Barometric pressure
If you suffer from migraines from other triggers, the pressure of barometrics can cause a heightened sensitivity.
Alongside typical migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, light and sound sensitivity suffering from migraines caused by barometric pressure might suffer from the following symptoms:
- Pain or facial discomfort in their sinuses.
- Post-nasal drip.
- Eyes that are dull.
“Those who suffer from migraines with aura are likely to experience sensory and visual modifications,” says Dr. Estemalik. “All the symptoms that you’d usually observe in people who suffer from allergies or sinus-related symptoms.”
Why are barometric changes causing headaches?
Research has shown that weather patterns changes are correlated with changes in temperature and barometric pressure and this could be linked to the appearance of severe or mild headaches.
“For certain people, it’s a decrease in barometric pressure. But for others the cause could be sudden rise in temperature” claims Dr. Estemalik. “Either method the moment these changes in pressure occur, typically during storms the possibility of headaches is caused.”
In the case of what we believe to be the impact that weather has on migraines We’re probably discussing how weather may be a factor in the headache portion of a migraine.
When a storm is occurring when there is a severe storm, warm and cold air interact to cause changes in the pressure. This is called barometric (or the air) pressure. This is also the way storms, wind and rain develop. Barometric pressure can also be described as the pressure in the atmosphere applied to a particular area . In this instance, that “area” is your.
Because your sinus and nasal spaces are channels for air Any change in pressure, including a drop in barometric pressure, can affect the regions. The pressure causes fluid to enter the tissues and may cause disturbance in the balance of fluids.
Researchers also believe that the change in barometric pressure could alter the pressure placed on your brain and how your brain is able to block or reduce pain.
Methods to prevent your barometric pressure headaches at low
“Weather isn’t the sole reason why we experience headaches. Stress, prescription medications such as painkillers or analgesics hormone triggers, and sleep-related disorders as an example could also be the reason,” Dr. Estemalik describes. “And although you cannot manage the weather but you can take steps to reduce the risk as well as the severity and severity of headaches or migraine attacks by following the best methods.”
- Beware of other triggers when the weather isn’t good. Stay away from foods that can trigger migraines including ones that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nitrates, and you’ll eliminate one trigger element out of the mix.
- Keep emergency medications in your bag. Discuss these medications with your physician. If you’ve never previously tried rescue medications you ask your doctor about the options available. If you’re certain that certain medications will benefit you, make sure your prescriptions are current and up to date and keep them on hand.
- Find out about preventive solutions. If you’re experiencing an extremely bad time of migraines Your doctor might consider trying medications or other treatments to prevent migraines at bay prior to when they occur. Sleep deprivation and other sleep problems, for instance could contribute to a greater frequency of headaches and it’s crucial for you to get sufficient sleeping every night. A lack of sleep may result in migraines, and which is why sleeping in during your off days could cause headaches too.
- Control the tension. As barometric pressure decreases, those who suffer with migraine headaches are likely to feel that and feel anxious. Stress hormones can trigger headaches. The ability to manage stress through exercises or lifestyle changes, as well as deep breathing techniques or relaxation techniques can help to keep it from happening.
- Take more fluids. The fluid shifts in the blood vessels around your brain may cause headache, which is why it’s essential to drink plenty of water. “Drink plenty of water in the morning, particularly before going outdoors and during warmer temperatures,” Dr. Estemalik recommends. “On an extremely hot, humid 90 degree day, you may lose as much as a liter of fluid per hour, which means you must keep an adequate fluid level.”
- Wear sunglasses. In addition to storms, bright light and glare from a bright day or flickering light through the trees when someone is driving may induce migraine headaches.
Natural remedies to treat barometric pressure headaches
Are you interested in knowing if there are natural remedies that you could try? Doctor. Estemalik says there are three prescription-only supplements Dr. Estemalik recommends:
- Magnesium oxide. For some people taking more magnesium prior to a change in weather can help reduce or stop migraines too. Consider eating more dark greens such as fish, soybeans and fish bananas and avocados that are food sources for magnesium.
- Vitamin B2. Taking this vitamin has been proven to lower the duration and frequency of migraines. The foods that contain vitamin B2 are milk eggs, meat, nuts as well as enriched flour, and green vegetables.
- Coenzyme Q10. “This is actually an ingredient that cardiologists often use since it’s extremely beneficial to your heart” the doctor says, “but it is also involved in reducing the frequency of migraines.”
Although you cannot be in control of the rain or when temperatures rise or fall however, you can take measures to control and possibly even stop your migraines.
“If you are susceptible towards migraine headaches or are disrupting your daily life, make sure to consult your physician,” Dr. Estemalik advises. “He or they will collaborate together with you to determine the triggers and the most effective treatment options.”
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