Typical Belgian weather this week. You can raise your umbrella at every turn. For some people it’s even worse: they literally get headaches or even migraines from the weather changes. We asked our science journalist Martijn Peters why. “In an American study, one in two migraine patients were sensitive to the weather image.”
There is indeed a scientific basis for this phenomenon. It all has to do with atmospheric pressure. In general, a rapid drop in pressure indicates bad weather, read: clouds, precipitation and wind. A high pressure usually predicts pleasant temperatures and not a cloud in the sky. When the air pressure changes, our body needs some time to acclimatize. If the weather turns suddenly, as sometimes happens in our Belgian country, we will have known that.
You experience about the same when you are on an airplane. If you ascend or descend quickly, the air pressure changes quite abruptly, which can cause earaches or headaches. Similarly, abrupt weather changes can lead to headaches or even migraines.
Several studies saw an increase in migraine attacks with a drop in atmospheric pressure.
“There are indeed studies that show that there is a correlation between the weather and getting headaches,” confirms science journalist Martijn Peters. American scientists came to the conclusion that one in two migraine patients in their study group was sensitive to the weather. Humidity and temperature in particular appeared to have an influence.”
“Japanese researchers, on the other hand, studied the purchase figures of medicines against headaches. What seems? They saw a significant increase when the air pressure dropped. Other studies have also noted an increase in migraine attacks with a drop in atmospheric pressure.”
Maybe it’s your sinuses
What could be the reasons for this? “One possible idea is that our sinuses have something to do with it,” explains Peters. “These tiny air-filled cavities can lose their balance in pressure when the air pressure changes. This can lead to inflammation and headaches.”
“Depending on which sinus cavity is affected, the location differs. Pain in your forehead, between and behind your eyes, in your face, or spread over the front or back of your head… it’s all possible. What you are more prone to differs from individual to individual.”
An increase in humidity can also cause headaches through our sinuses.
“In addition to air pressure, an increase in humidity can also cause headaches through our sinuses. High humidity increases the amount of mucus produced by the sinuses. That can cause congestion, inflammation and discomfort in the sinuses, often leading to sinus headaches.”
Another possibility is that there is a link between pressure changes in the atmosphere and pressure changes in the bloodstream of the brain. “If the blood vessels dilate too much due to the increase in pressure, alarm systems are activated and that causes pain.”
Advice from a doctor
Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather yet. And what you can do against the headache also differs from person to person. Although there are a number of things you can take into account, says doctor Chris George of the National Health Service in Glamor magazine.
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