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Weather & Migraines

According to the Mayo Clinic, the exact causes of migraines---severe, debilitating headaches---isn't well understood. However, changes in the weather can trigger migraines in some sufferers.

  1. Allergies

    • Some allergy sufferers mistake sinus headaches for migraines. However, according to a study published in the "Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology" (2006), histamines released by allergic reactions may cause or worsen migraines.

    Weather Changes

    • A 2004 study by Dr. Marcelo E. Bigal of the New England Center for Headache found that changes in weather triggered migraines in about half of the patients studied.

    Warm Weather

    • According to a 2009 study by Dr. Kenneth J. Mukamal (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard School of Public Health), a 9-degree increase in temperature increased the chance of migraine headaches by 7 1/2 percent.

    Air Pressure

    • Although changes in air pressure may trigger other types of headaches, Dr. Mukamal's study found that low pressure, commonly believed to trigger migraines, did not actually affect migraine incidence.

    Misconceptions

    • Patients may think weather changes trigger migraines when, in fact, other triggers are responsible. Dr. Bigal's study also found that about 10 percent of patients thought weather was a trigger when it really wasn't.

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