When the sun comes out, the only thing on your mind should be pool days and trips to the beach, not migraine pain. Yet, 12% of adults experience migraine, and for many, the warm weather only worsens their symptoms. If your migraine symptoms become more severe or frequent in the summer, you may feel you need to avoid outdoor activities when the temperature rises. Fortunately, migraine doesn’t have to keep you indoors.
Once you know why your migraine symptoms get worse when the weather gets hot, you can begin to manage them. But don’t worry — you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Here’s a guide to help you understand how migraine is affected by summer weather, with tips for preventing and managing the symptoms.
3 reasons your migraine gets worse in the summer
While it may seem like you get more random migraine attacks in the summer, they may not be as random as you think. The rising temperature and longer days spark a series of changes that may cause your summer migraine. Here are just a few possible triggers:
1. The weather changes
In summer, many regions of the world experience hot, sticky weather as days get hotter. Temperature changes can affect an individual’s body in many ways. If overlooked, these changes can trigger a migraine attack.
Hotter temperatures and increased humidity cause people to sweat more. The more a person sweats, the greater their risk of becoming dehydrated — and dehydration may trigger migraine. Other weather changes that can induce a migraine attack include:
- Bright sunlight
- Sun glare
- Dry or humid air
- Storms and intense wind
Shifting barometric pressures can also trigger a summer migraine attack. While a person’s sinuses are usually at equilibrium with the barometric pressure, this equilibrium is disturbed when the pressure changes in the summer, and some people may experience a migraine attack.
A 2015 study found that the shift in barometric pressure associated with an incoming storm caused 75% of people in the study to experience a migraine attack. Though there is little you can do to avoid this trigger, you can keep an eye on the weather and atmospheric changes to know what to expect and create a plan to manage symptoms.
2. Your daily habits change
Many people unknowingly change their habits in the summer. The increased amounts of sunlight and longer days cause many to get less sleep than in previous seasons. These changes result in a migraine attack for some.
In addition to changing your sleep routine, you may also eat differently or indulge in what you do not usually eat at picnics or on vacation. Some of these foods may cause a migraine attack.
Common summer foods that have been found to trigger a migraine include:
- Hotdogs
- Bacon and sausage
- Pre-marinated meat
- Drinks with high amounts of sugar, caffeine or aspartame
- Pickled items
- Citrus fruits
- Pineapple
- Alcohol — especially beer, wine and dark liquor
- Pre-made sauce with high amounts of sugar
If you want to know if a particular food triggers your migraine symptoms, try an elimination diet — but know that sometimes it isn’t the food alone that sparks a migraine attack. When combined with other factors, like heat and physical activity, food may be enough to send you over your personal threshold.
Don’t be discouraged by the length of the list. There are plenty of other foods and alternatives you can choose to minimize your chances of developing a migraine attack. A few options include:
- Fresh cheeseburgers made with ground beef
- Pulled pork with homemade barbecue sauce
- Fresh mocktails with summer fruits
- Cool, sparkling water
3. Your plans change
It is hard to account for everything that will happen in the summer. While you might be a master planner in the other seasons, summer can disrupt your carefully curated schedule. While spontaneous plans may lead to the best adventure you have ever had, they could also lead to a migraine attack.
If a last-minute getaway causes feelings of stress, it could trigger your symptoms. When choosing a trip or event, consider how it will affect your stress levels. Unplanned trips could also cause you to turn to migraine-inducing foods or activities. Consider ways you can balance spontaneity and planning, like prioritizing staying cool and hydrated while exploring.
Tips on how to enjoy Summer with fewer migraine episodes
Now that you have a greater understanding of why your symptoms worsen in the summer, let’s go over some tips and tricks for minimizing the chance of developing a summer migraine:
- Wear sunglasses: Invest in a quality pair of sunglasses and wear them all summer. Wearing sunglasses limits exposure to the sun and helps you avoid looking directly at bright reflections, such as glare on the water.
- Focus on rehydration: Your body needs more water in the summer, especially if you’re physically active or spending time outdoors. To stay hydrated, limit caffeine and alcohol consumption, and double your water intake.
- Avoid overexerting yourself: Rather than planning a long run or game of tennis in the middle of the day, try to plan these activities near sunrise or sunset to limit the stress put on your body.
- Plan time out of the sun: Whether you are at an amusement park or on a beach vacation, find spots where you can seek refuge from the sun, like a shop or restaurant.
- Watch what you eat: If you know you’re going somewhere that only serves foods that may trigger a migraine attack, consider packing your lunch.
- Keep an eye on the weather: Before you agree to do any physical activity outdoors, check a weather app and a digital barometer.
- Avoid overwhelming fragrances: Avoid heavily scented sunscreens and lotions if you’re triggered by strong smells or specific scents.
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CEFALY offers users a drug-free way to gain migraine relief. The device uses external trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) to stimulate and desensitize the trigeminal nerve, which acts as the main path for migraine pain.
Created by people who know the physical and emotional pain a migraine causes, CEFALY’s purpose is to help people relieve their migraine symptoms and enjoy more migraine-free days.
To find out more information or buy our product, visit our site today. Because we want you to love CEFALY, you can try the product for 90 days, and if you are not satisfied, send it back for a full refund.
