Temperatures are starting to rise, with some parts of the world facing a record-setting early heatwave this week. But while you’re probably focused on staying cool, there’s one more thing that should be on your radar: a higher-than-usual risk of migraine headaches.
That’s the major takeaway from new research published in the journal Neurology. The study uncovered three lesser-known factors that can trigger migraine and these can crop up even more in the summer.
If you’re one of the people who deals with these headaches daily, this is information to keep in your back pocket. Here’s what the study found, plus how doctors who treat patients with migraines recommend protecting yourself.
The study followed people with migraines for a decade
For the study, researchers followed 7,032 people for about a decade who suffered from migraines. During the study period, researchers looked at participants’ daily exposure to air pollution, along with tracking weather conditions. They also looked at how often (and the timing) when people visited the hospital or their primary care doctor with a migraine. That data was compared to the levels of pollution and weather conditions on that particular day, along with seven days before that.
During the study period, 2,215 people (or 32%) had at least one visit to the hospital or a clinic with a migraine. The researchers also found that 47% of participants in the study bought triptan medications at one point or another, that is, fast-acting prescription medications that are designed to stop a migraine, with most using at least two tablets a month.
Ultimately, the researchers discovered a link between three weather-related factors and migraines: air pollution, temperature (including UV exposure) and humidity. First, they found a correlation between higher levels of air pollution and the most number of visits to a hospital or clinic for a migraine. They also found that the day with the least visits to the hospital or clinic also had lower-than-average pollution levels. People with short-term exposure to high levels of nitrogen dioxide (a common pollutant from traffic exhaust) were 41% more likely to go to the hospital or clinic for migraine than people who weren’t exposed to high levels of the gas.
The study also showed that people who were exposed to high levels of UV rays from the sun on a given day were 23% more likely to visit a healthcare provider for migraine symptoms than those who weren’t. High temperatures and low humidity appear to be linked to more migraine headaches, likely because they amplify the effect of nitrogen dioxide, the researchers said.
With climate change intensifying how often we deal with heatwaves and pollution, it’s important to consider these risk factors when it comes to migraines, the researchers wrote.
Why do these factors raise the risk of migraines?
It’s important to note that the study didn’t prove that air pollution, heat and lower humidity levels cause migraines, it just found a link between them. But doctors say there’s likely something here.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: vogue.in
