If you're prone to getting headaches, you could find that grey skies, high humidity, rising temperatures and storms can all bring on head pain. Pressure changes that cause weather changes are thought to trigger chemical and electrical changes in the brain. This irritates nerves, leading to a headache.
It's not a specific barometric pressure level that causes a sinus headache when it rains. Rather, it's the change from a higher barometric pressure level to a lower one that leads to sinus pain.
“The most commonly reported result of changes in barometric pressure on our health is associated with headaches and migraines,” says Dr. Joseph Aquilina, chief medical officer of SharpCare Medical Group. “The likelihood of a headache is also increased if there is already any congestion or blockage in the sinuses.”
“Barometric pressure changes can affect inflammation in the nose and sinuses, and then can be experienced by individuals as pressure and/or pain.” So when those skies turn gray and the rain starts to fall, make sure you have your sinus medicine on hand just in case.
A barometric pressure headache can look like a migraine headache, which is associated with the following symptoms: A headache that lasts between four hours and three days.
Barometric pressure drops from things like rain storms or cold fronts, but the problem is that it can upset the equilibrium between the pressure outside your body and the pressure in your sinuses—and that can trigger a migraine.
What can a hypertension headache feel like? Headaches triggered by high blood pressure typically cause a pulsing sensation that's felt all over the head rather than on just one side. If your headache is severe, happens suddenly, or is accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, get immediate medical attention.
Some people really can feel atmospheric pressure changes within their bodies. Those with migraine, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, or osteoarthritis are the most susceptible to extra aches and pains before a storm.
When sudden changes in the weather occur (including temperature, humidity), it can cause the nasal membranes to swell, resulting in a runny or stuffy nose. Shifts in barometric pressure can also trigger pain and discomfort for those with sinusitis.
Severe spring storms, violent tornados and hurricane season are especially difficult for millions suffering from “seasonal vertigo” as weather changes can bring on debilitating migraines and sufferers report having the ability to predict these weather and barometric changes before storms hit.
Weather changes almost inevitably cause variations in atmospheric pressure, which can increase the likelihood of headache and migraine. A 2017 study demonstrated a positive association between the atmospheric pressure and the amount of migraine pain a person experiences.
A low blood pressure headache is often described as a “pulling sensation” from the back of the head to the neck. The headache can range from mild to very severe. It typically worsens when sitting or standing up, and is relieved when lying down.
For some people, weather changes may cause imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which can prompt a migraine. Weather-related triggers also may worsen a headache caused by other triggers. If you feel your migraines are triggered by weather, you may be understandably frustrated.
Some scientists believe that when the barometric pressure changes, it can cause pressure between your sinuses, which results in a chemical imbalance and a headache. Even if the weather isn't the cause of your headache, a change in the weather can make an existing headache worse.
Changes in barometric pressure, which occur when the air gets warmer or colder, can significantly affect your sinuses. Weather changes can bring a host of uncomfortable symptoms along with them, including sinus pressure, headaches, fatigue, and more.
The easiest way to distinguish a headache from a migraine is by the severity. Unlike headaches, which range from dull to acute pain, migraines are often so debilitating that the acronym POUND is sometimes used to summarize key migraine signs and symptoms.
Weather changes are actually one of the most common causes of migraine, affecting more than one-third of folks with chronic migraine. These weather-induced headaches are known as barometric pressure migraine. And they can be a doozy.
These symptoms occur because the fall in barometric pressure allows the tissues in the lungs and brain to swell (visualize the change in the size of a sponge when you squeeze and release it) in an attempt to get more oxygen. The dilated blood vessels in the brain may cause headaches and swelling of the brain.
When you get home after the rain has poured, take a shower. Even if you just walked from your Grab to your gate, take a shower. Taking a bath stabilizes the cold temperature you reach from the rain and shifts thing back to your normal temperature.
When there's too little sunshine, you'll start to feel it—emotionally and physically. That's because your body relies on sunlight to keep your internal clock in check; it regulates your sleep-wake cycle. A dose of morning light helps you feel alert, so when it's raining for days on end, you might start to feel drowsy.
If you feel down during a downpour, it's not your imagination: Bad weather can indeed have a negative effect on your emotions. According to one study, nearly 9 percent of people fall into the “rain haters” category. This group feels angrier and less happy on days with more precipitation.