What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?

Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.

“If you have global warming and higher temperatures to begin with, you’re going to have more headache,” says Vincent Martin, a University of Cincinnati professor of clinical medicine in the College of Medicine's Department of Internal Medicine and president of the National Headache Foundation. “With more low pressure systems and turbulent weather rolling in, the fluctuating weather patterns that are occurring with climate change can trigger more frequent and severe attacks of migraine and longer duration headaches.”

A systematic review of medical research published in May of 2024 found a growing trend of more frequent and worse migraine attacks. While the review found that migraines in the U.S. are as common as they were three decades ago, the severity and level of impairment from migraine attacks nearly doubled between 2005 and 2018. While women tend to be more prone to migraine attacks than men, men are increasingly affected by the neurologic condition.

Martin coauthored research presented at the 2024 American Headache Society's Annual Scientific Meeting. It found that for every 10°F increase in outdoor temperature, there was a six percent increase in the occurrence of any headache on that day (based on headache diaries kept by 660 migraine patients). In a study in a 2025 issue of the journal Headache, researchers spent 12 years following 407,792 people in the U.K. who didn’t initially report experiencing migraines. That paper found that more migraine cases occurred among people who had higher exposure to nitrogen dioxide levels (a form of air pollution caused by burning fuel) and exposure to more extreme temperatures in the summer and winter.

Rising heat and humidity, thunderstorms, and barometric pressure changes are already known migraine triggers. Exactly how these weather disturbances trigger migraine flare-ups varies among people who suffer from them.

Experts say it’s important for people to understand their personal patterns and triggers. Martin says if you know, for example, that a low pressure system is expected to roll in and that’s a trigger for your migraine flareups, you can try to avoid or minimize your exposure to other triggers such as stress, certain foods or screen time. He recommends taking precautions such as staying hydrated, and considering using preventive migraine medications on those days.

Read the full article.

Featured image at top: A woman in pain holds the sides of her head with her hands. Photo/iStock/Prostock-Studio.