For people who suffer from A migraine, being able to identify what can trigger it is a bliss, as it allows them to evade having to suffer for extreme pain. However, there’s a trigger for a migraine that it’s basically impossible to hide from the weather. Let’s review what exactly Migraine is, how to treat it and what can we expect from its weather-related symptoms now that La Niña is a factor to take into consideration.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is an intense and annoying headache that can grow strong enough as to completely disrupt the person’s activities, incapacitating them. It usually begins with a dull ache in the back of the head that increases as time passes until it starts to “beat” violently. Migraines are worse on the sides of the head, behind the eye, on the back of the head or neck. Note that this pain doesn’t last for just a few minutes but can go for even 6 to 48 continuous hours.
Other migraine symptoms both before and during a migraine are:
- Shaking chills
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Eating disorders
- Increased urination
- Sweating
The weather
Weather changes may cause problems with our brain chemicals, especially with Serotonin. Serotonin can prompt a migraine or worsen a headache initially caused by other triggers. The triggers for weather-related migraines are:
- Changes in temperature
- Humidity
- High winds
- Storms or stormy weather
- Dry conditions
- Bright lights/sun glare
- Changes in the barometric pressure
Ways to treat a weather-related migraine
High humidity and extremely dry weather related migraine can be treated with better hydration by drinking water or sport-themed drinks. Staying indoors will help you avoid exposure to bright light and changes in temperatures and humidity, and wearing shades when exposed to fluorescent light reduces the pain behind the eyes.
Although it may sound a little farfetched, buying a barometer for your home works as a visual heads-up if there are any barometric changes. With recent technology, there’s even the option of downloading a Barometer app.
Once you know that a storm is on its way, avoid positive or negative stress, try to sleep, avoid food and drink triggers (if you have any) and ensure you exercise at least a little. If All Else Fails, Chronic Migraines patients should, in extreme cases, consider moving from their home is the climate is irregular in where they live. Ponder this decision with extreme care and discover the best and worst places to live with migraines. Some patients have reported almost complete recovery from their most troubling symptoms by moving onto a new home with their families.
Treatments
The treatments of patients with a migraine are mostly pharmacological. Preventive treatments like doing low impact exercise, good sleep hygiene and psychotherapy are of great help for the disease.
Some common medications are prescribed but only when a migraine doesn’t incapacitate the patient are used for this purpose. They are only to treat a migraine so you have to be careful and take them with the supervision of a doctor. It is contraindicated for people with circulatory problems and particular care should also be taken not to abuse analgesics, as they can cause a chronic headache and worsen the condition.
Muscle relaxants can also ease pain and helps with psychological pain management. Patients with 3 or more migraines per month should recur to preventive treatment in order to reduce the frequency and intensity of a migraine.
SOURCE: https://migraineagain.com/weather-related-migraines-8-tips-dodge-another-brain-storm/
