When it comes to Chicago migraine triggers, weather is a common culprit. Rapid temperature changes, storms that sweep in at a moment’s notice and the effects of Lake Michigan on local weather can all lead to a throbbing head when you least expect it. Fortunately, there are solutions to help ease your aching head. Read on to learn more about the link between weather changes and headaches and how you can get relief.
Why Do Weather Changes Trigger Headaches?
Weather affects headaches in a few different ways. Pressure imbalances, hormonal effects and chemical changes in the brain can all have an impact. Some specific weather changes that cause headaches include:
Barometric pressure changes: Dramatic shifts in weather often come with a drop or rise in barometric pressure. This change can create an imbalance between pressure inside your sinuses and the pressure in the outside environment, which triggers a headache.
Chemical imbalances: Everything from bright sun to muggy weather affects the chemicals produced by your brain. Hormones and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, can become unbalanced in certain weather conditions, leading to an aching head.
Seasonal allergens: Spring flowers and colorful autumn leaves are gorgeous to look at, but your head might not be as thrilled with their effects. Pollen, mold and leaf debris could all trigger sinus congestion and inflammation that leads to a headache.
How Does Chicago’s Climate Affect Migraine Sufferers?
Chicago is known for its dramatic temperature shifts and occasional wild weather. Local weather patterns include lots of the most common migraine triggers, including barometric pressure shifts and seasonal storms. The bottom line: Your seasonal headaches in Chicago could be weather related.
Which Weather Conditions Are the Biggest Headache Triggers?
Understanding your headache triggers helps you avoid headaches and reduce their severity. Keep an eye on the weather to prepare for upcoming headache trigger events. If the weather report indicates a cold front moving in or extreme thunderstorms, headaches could be on the horizon, too. Seasonal transitions also impact headaches, so pay attention to whether your headaches occur more frequently in the spring, fall, winter or summer.
Some of the biggest weather-related headache triggers include:
- Humidity
- Temperature shifts
- Barometric pressure changes before a storm
- Dry air
- Extreme heat
- Extreme cold
- Bright sunlight
Keep in mind that migraine triggers are individual, so yours might not be the same as someone else’s headache trigger. Sometimes, things other than the weather can affect headaches. Caffeine, alcohol, stress and eyestrain are common triggers for migraines, and sometimes multiple triggers combine to cause an aching head. Identifying the specific things that set off your headaches helps more than trying to avoid all potential triggers.
What Are the Best Ways to Prevent Weather-Induced Headaches?
If you frequently experience headaches, avoiding triggers is often the first recommendation for prevention. It’s hard to avoid the weather, but you can monitor any upcoming changes and prepare. Some things you can do to reduce the risk of headaches include:
- Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night
- Staying hydrated
- Eating lots of healthy foods, including plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Staying indoors in a controlled environment during major weather events
- Avoiding other migraine triggers, such as specific foods, bright lights and loud noises
When Should You Seek Professional Treatment for Chronic Headaches?
Sometimes, finding effective pain management for migraines and seasonal headaches means contacting a professional. Mild weather-induced headaches may respond to over the counter pain medication, but if you can’t get rid of your headache at home or keep getting headaches and want long-term relief, it may be time to get professional help.
Some signs you should contact a professional headache specialist include:
- Frequent, recurring headaches
- Severe headaches that disrupt your daily life
- Headaches that don’t respond to over the counter medicine or rest
Keeping a headache diary can help you narrow down specific triggers and gives medical professionals an overview of the frequency, duration and intensity of your headaches. It can also help you determine the signs and symptoms of an incoming headache so you can take steps to mitigate the impact. You can keep a headache diary at home by tracking each headache in a notebook. Make sure to include any environmental conditions at the time, including weather conditions.
How Can MAPS Centers for Pain Control Help with Migraine Relief?
At MAPS, we understand headaches. Our double-board certified and fellowship-trained physicians can help you determine your Chicago migraine triggers and develop a headache treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.
Nerve-blocking injections, meditation, physical therapy and medication management are just a few of the state of the art treatment options available for migraine relief. Treatments are personalized, so your headache solution is tailored specifically for you. Give MAPS Centers for Pain Control a call to schedule a consultation today.