Do You Suffer From Barometric Pressure Headaches?
Changes in the weather have a direct effect on your body. Changes in pressure cause changes in oxygen levels in the air, and scientists are still trying to determine why some people are affected by these changes while others are not. There is a theory that the blood vessels in your head expand or contract to compensate for the changes in oxygen levels. The same changes in the size of your blood vessels is one part of the many changes that happen when you get a barometric pressure headache. This may also be why some get headaches when flying, hiking, or traveling to a location with a change in pressure and temperature. Researchers believe that it is a variety of weather factors working together that trigger a migraine, not just the pressure alone. One study showed that weather with low pressure, the passage of a warm front, high temperatures and humidity and overcast skies increased the intensity of migraines. Weather changes may also cause chemical changes in your body, which is a trigger for some migraine sufferers. Many researchers believe that the electrical charge in the air may also trigger barometric pressure headaches. There is some good news for those who suffer from barometric pressure headaches. Advanced warning is available! Your local weather forecast, and online sources like Weather.com can inform anybody who is interested if there is a predicted weather front moving in. There are several things you can do to help you cope with chronic headaches, or at least be prepared for them. Keeping track of the effects that the weather has on you is very important. Keep a diary where you record the weather changes and your headache pain levels. In order to do this, you will probably want to get a good barometer. Talking to your doctor about medication options, could offer some relief as well. Some prescribed medications can be taken at the first sign of a headache so that it doesn’t become full blown. Some people have found that getting fresh air, a brisk walk or a bit of exercise helps. An ionizer or a humidifier have also been found to help many barometric pressure headache sufferers. Researchers have shown that people who have migraines appear to be mor sensitive to weather changes, like changes in weather patterns, absolute humidity and barometric pressure changes, and temperature changes. The reasons these are triggers aren’t known, and that is a source of frustration for many headache sufferers, because you can’t change the weather. But it will help to realize your specific weather triggers and discuss medication options for easing your headache pain with your doctor.
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