Are headaches and migraines more common in summer?

Many people think of migraine as 'just a bad headache'. While it's true that the main symptom is usually headache, migraine is in fact a complex condition that manifests in a range of symptoms. Common ones are vision problems, increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, nausea, and vomiting - and attacks can last up to three days.

That's not to say that headaches on their own aren't problematic. They are one of the most common reasons people visit their GP or are referred to a neurology specialist, although there is usually no worrying cause.

Alongside migraine, tension headache - marked by pain in a band across the forehead and often associated with tense muscles in the back of the neck - is by far the most predominant type.

The influence of weather

According to Una Farrell, spokeswoman for The Migraine Trust, many people report that they get more migraines in summer. "It's not necessarily the hot weather, but people can be affected by the changes in air pressure during the summer months," she says.

When spells of hot weather are accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, she adds, people who get migraines often feel the barometric changes in the atmosphere - a sign that a migraine is afoot.

The association between headaches - migraine headaches in particular - and weather has been researched fairly extensively, with mixed results. One 2015 study in the USA found that a small group of migraine sufferers were affected by weather, but overall, no significant correlation was observed.

Another study of migraine patients found some evidence of a link between their perception of temperature as a trigger, and headache incidence. However, those who reported they were triggered by temperature tended to get more headaches in winter, not summer.

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An indirect link

It seems that any increased prevalence of headaches and migraines during summer is not just directly caused by the weather itself. Rather, it can be best explained in terms of a multitude of seasonal factors.

For example, you're more likely to become dehydrated in hot weather, and dehydration is a well-recognised headache and migraine cause. Longer hours of sunlight and warmer nights could affect your sleep, with sleep disturbance also known to set off migraines.

"The best way to understand migraine triggers is that the migraine brain doesn't like change," explains Una. "So it could be that your lifestyle changes in summer, because you might be taking time off to go on holiday, or if you have children, they might be off school. The change in routine and any associated stress can often trigger an attack."

Keeping summer headaches and migraines at bay

The good news is that you don't have to put up with worsening symptoms. There are steps you can take to minimise the impact of headaches and migraines, leaving you free to enjoy the summer.

First, it's essential to identify your own individual triggers - common ones include certain foods, hormonal changes, and overexposure to computer screens - and eliminate or reduce them.

Una's advice is to minimise any disruption to your normal day-to-day life, which is no mean feat during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Try to stick to a routine as much as possible, and even though it might be difficult, keep to your normal bedtime and waking time," she says.

If the warmth and light are preventing you from sleeping, think about keeping your bedroom cool during the day by closing your curtains or blinds, and perhaps try wearing an eye mask during the night.

During the day, aim to eat regularly to avoid spikes and dips in your blood glucose levels - which can trigger migraine and headaches - and stay hydrated. The National Migraine Centre recommends drinking 1.5 to 2 litres of water a day; more in very hot weather or if you're particularly active.

Most importantly, Una urges, seek medical advice if your headaches or migraines are becoming problematic. "Speak to your doctor and tell them how your symptoms are impacting your life," she comments. "Of course, the healthcare system has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but help is still very much available."