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Have you been miserable with headaches and migraine pain the last few weeks? Could it possibly be the weather? Or is that just an overused excuse?
Living in Dallas, Texas, the last few weeks have been rough for me as a migraineur. The weather and barometric pressure shifts have been frequent and steep! (As a matter of fact, it was 75 degrees yesterday, and we woke up to 32 degrees this morning! Ouch!)
So, I’ve been keeping a close eye on the migraine forecast … and maybe you should too?
Are there ways to prepare or cope?
The good news is that there are steps that you can take to help predict and prevent them. In this blog post, I’ll discuss the basics of migraine forecasts and provide tips on how to get ahead!
What is a migraine forecast exactly?
In short, it’s a way that migraine sufferers can help predict the likelihood of an impending headache or migraine attack. Specific migraine forecast apps use data from various sources, including weather patterns, barometric pressure changes, and other environmental factors, to predict when you may be more vulnerable to these painful events.
For example, if your local barometric pressure changes drastically in a single day, it could indicate that a headache or migraine may be coming on soon. (More below on my recommended tracking app, MigraineBuddy)
What weather-related shifts make migraine attacks worse?
While barometric pressure changes are typically the worst, you should be aware of other weather-related patterns can stir up a migraine. Here are just a few:
Weather that can trigger migraine:
- Humidity
- Bright sun
- Snow glare
- Very hot (or very cold) temperature
- Winds & high gusts
- Lightening (especially when close)
- Dry air
Therefore, watching the forecast can help you to plan accordingly and take the necessary precautions to help prevent or prepare for an attack.
How does barometric pressure cause migraine attacks?
Barometric pressure is ‘the weight’ of the air in the atmosphere and can be measured in millibars. Low barometric pressure indicates that air is rising (often stormy, active weather!)
Whereas, high barometric pressure indicates a sinking air mass (usually calmer weather, sunny skies).
These changes trigger headaches and migraines, as the blood vessels in your head can widen and put pressure against the sensitive nerves in your brain.
When the atmospheric pressure changes significantly in either direction, it can aggregate your nervous system and cause headaches & migraines.
When the pressure drops = your blood vessels constrict, so your blood pressure increases. (think pounding head!)
When the pressure rises = your blood vessels expand (vasodilation), so the blood volume that filled up your blood vessels before, can’t do it as well. This results in low blood pressure (which most migraineurs already have, so pressure rising exacerbates the problem!)
How do you stop migraine from barometric pressure changes?
The best prevention for barometric pressure migraines is to track your headaches and keep an eye on the weather. Pay attention to the forecast and make sure you take steps to prepare to mitigate migraine in advance.
So, what should you do? Directions below are taken from the Stanton Migraine Protocol —
Pressure Drops
As you feel a prodrome (migraine symptoms starting), take salt/electrolytes and water ASAP! My favorite electrolytes to have on hand are LMNT. They come single-sized so you can carry them anywhere!
A pressure drop lifts the weight of the atmosphere off you, and so your vascular system dilates. As mentioned, this makes the blood volume in your blood vessels appear “insufficient” to fill them, your blood volume decreases. So extra hydration with electrolytes can pull your blood pressure up and re-calibrate your body & nervous system.
Note: Pressure falls are easier to handle than pressure rises — because you easily add electrolytes!
Pressure Rises
When the pressure rises, the weight of the atmosphere increases all around your body and literally squeezes your vascular system, making it narrower and more difficult for blood to flow.
As a result, you need to “release” the excess fluids in your vascular system. This can be done by reducing the amount of sodium and water you take and eating potassium-heavy foods.
Examples of high-potassium foods include:
- Avocado
- Beef
- Goat milk
- Mushrooms
- Salmon
- pumpkin seeds or almonds
*(I always keep goat milk stocked for this reason!)
Note: You need to prep for pressure rise 1-2 hours before the rise starts because the food takes some time to digest and potassium must be absorbed through your intestinal walls, which is a slower process. Which can make pressure rises more difficult to manage…
If you cannot get ahead of it, unsweetened coconut water also has plenty of potassium (but also carbs!)
If you are proactive and take these preventive steps, you will significantly help your head! Now that I got my hands on this information, I’ve seen a big improvement!
What’s the best way to check migraine weather?
Popular weather apps often also show barometric pressure, but I’ve found the migraine forecast on Migraine Buddy to be the most accurate and reliable. The app is primarily a tracking tool for migraineurs, but also has several other tools for users.
To view the forecast, you need an account — it’s free! With the freemium account, you can only look out 48 hours in advance. I’ve found that to be A-OK for me. However, if you want the 7-day migraine weather (plus additional tools), the app is $9.99/mo or $69 for the year.
Example of a high pressure & low pressure within 48Hours! Image via MigraineBuddy App
Can migraineurs predict the weather?
You may have heard migraineurs say they can feel the rain coming, etc. Well, approximately 40% of people with migraine identify weather as a trigger — and start feeling prodrome symptoms up to several days before a shift!
The wrap
In summary, understanding your own individual triggers and using a migraine forecast can be a great way to stay ahead of the pain and keep yourself prepared! Just make sure to have plenty of electrolytes and potassium-rich foods on hand! Obviously, make sure to get plenty of sleep, manage stress, eat well and still take your medication (if needed!)
With the right knowledge and preparation, you’ll be feeling better in no time. Good luck!
Xo, jules
Note: I am not a doctor or physician and not providing medical or health advise in this article! Only sharing my experiences in hopes to help y’all! 🙂
