How Weather Plays a Role with Migraines

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CLEVELAND - More than 37 million people here in the United States suffer from migraines. 

If you’re one of them, you know they can be caused by different factors like the weather. 

But how exactly does the weather play a role? 

“The sudden change in barometric pressure tends to be one of the most crucial elements when it comes to weather. And how does that manifest? Any time we go from temperatures like in the 50s or 60s, all the way to the 80s within a 48, 72-hour window or vice versa, that in itself can induce migraines,” explained Emad Estemalik, MD, headache and migraine specialist at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Estemalik said extreme weather in the winter and summer, along with sudden rain and storms, can also cause migraines. 

So, what can people do to help prevent them? 

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. 

However, he typically recommends trying to identify any triggers and then seeing what can be eliminated or modified. 

For example, sometimes a person may need to change their diet and cut out certain foods, or maybe they need to get more sleep. 

If lifestyle changes don’t work, Dr. Estemalik said there are medications and other treatment options available. 

“You also have the abortive or the rescue therapies that are available. Migraine patients typically don't respond well to over-the-counters, so there are triptans that are available -- they’re prescribed meds. We also have new abortive monoclonal antibodies -- different than the preventive ones; they work wonderfully for patients,” he said. “DHE is also available. So again, there are so many options. We've seen a revolution in treatment since 2018 in terms of what's available for this patient population,” he said.

And as the temperatures heat up this summer, don’t forget to stay hydrated. 

Dr. Estemalik said dehydration can trigger migraines too.