Could Changes in the Weather be a Trigger Factor for a Migraine Headache?

The search for things that could trigger a migraine headache is a continuing quest for those working hard to avoid the debilitating pain which follows in the wake of a migraine attack. Perhaps the best known of all migraine triggers is stress and those of us who suffer from this neurological condition work hard at either avoiding stress altogether or mitigating the effects as much as they can. Other triggers to stay away from are alcohol, nicotine, chocolate, and even nuts.

There is however some folklore which suggests that weather could also be a trigger for migraine headaches, so is this the case?

Arthritis and chronic back pains sufferers acknowledge that the pain of their condition is greatly affected by the weather and this lends credibility to the view of chronic migraine sufferers that weather can also have a negative effect on their ability to avoid a migraine headache.

The announcement of a forthcoming pressure system could be an indication of the arrival of a storm to most of us but to those of us who suffer from migraine headaches it normally spells trouble. The change in the weight of the air affects the ease with which oxygen is breathed and moved around the body through the blood vessels. For instance, constrict more because of the altered pressure and this could be the trigger event for a migraine. Counteracting this effect with caffeine is generally one of the fastest and best remedies.

Windiness is another weather pattern which can set migraine sufferers on edge. Even though the pressure changes accompanying windy conditions are negligible the fact that pollutants which could be triggers for migraine sufferers are swirling all around and cannot be avoided makes this another distinct migraine trigger.

Sometimes a migraine could actually be secondary to a different kind of headache such as a sinus headache. This may present with a fever, difficulty breathing, and various aches and pains. When taken alongside the rapidly pain of a migraine the effect may be not only extremely painful but debilitating.

If the root cause of the sinus headache is allergens there could also be a subsequent infection which the body will seek to fight off. During that time it is possible that a migraine will be triggered by the weakened body and its heightened susceptibility to stress factors.

A change in weather not only indicates the possibility of one migraine trigger, but it also acts as a jumping off point for a host of such trigger events which may cause numerous migraine attacks. Unhappily, weather related triggers cannot be avoided and even staying indoors will have only a partial effect when it comes to avoiding a migraine trigger event.

As a result, it is advisable to use a variety of preventive measures to avoid trigger events. Sometimes this involves the use of medication while at other times you can turn to holistic solutions to avoid migraine triggers. These include cardiovascular exercise, relaxation techniques, stress relief, aromatherapy, biofeedback, massage therapy and also acupressure.