Can weather changes trigger Migraines?
- Bright sunlight
- Hot or cold temperatures
- High humidity
- Dry air
- Windy or stormy weather
- Changes in barometric pressure
For some people, weather changes may cause imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which can prompt a migraine. Weather-related triggers may also worsen a headache that starts from other causes.
If you feel your migraines are triggered by weather, you may be understandably frustrated. After all, you can't change the weather. However, you can learn which weather changes start a migraine and take steps to lessen their effects:
- Keep a headache diary, listing each migraine, when it happened, how long it lasted and what could have caused it. This can help you determine if you have specific weather triggers.
- Monitor weather changes and avoid triggers if at all possible. For example, stay indoors during very cold or windy weather.
- Take your migraine medication at the first sign of a migraine.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices — eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and keep stress under control. These factors can help reduce the number and severity of migraines.