Certain weather patterns can trigger migraines
UC research featured across US and in the UK
Certain weather patterns really do trigger migraine headaches — and the incidence is more common in the Midwest.
As WGN 9 in Chicago recently reported, researchers at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine have identified two specific weather patterns associated with an increased risk of headaches.
An approaching cold front, with low pressure and precipitation, can occur in every season and trigger episodic migraines. A so-called Bermuda high-pressure system, typical in summer, can also trigger severe headaches.
Watch the complete WGN 9 Medical Watch Digest report.
“Weather is one of the most common triggers for attacks of migraine headache,” said study author Vincent Martin, MD, a professor of clinical medicine in the Department of Internal Medicine and director of the Headache and Facial Pain Center at UC’s Gardner Neuroscience Institute.
Cleveland.com also reported on the findings, saying the research offers hope for people with migraines and weather-related headaches, because it suggests that a preventive medication might reduce the likelihood of a weather-related headache.
The findings suggested that at least six months of treatment with the prescription medication fremanezumab (brand name Ajovy) significantly reduced the rate of new-onset headaches compared with no medication across all weather patterns, including conditions considered high risk for new headache onset.
Headaches and migraines are often associated with weather variables such as barometric pressure, precipitation, humidity and temperature. As weather patterns vary around the world, evidence suggests their impacts vary across geographic regions, seasons and population groups.
“Our investigation suggests that specific storm patterns may help explain why weather-related headaches and migraines are so frequent in Cincinnati and the Midwest region,” Martin said.
Read the complete Cleveland.com news article.
This UC College of Medicine research linking weather patterns and headaches was also reported on 91.7 WVXU News/Cincinnati Public Radio.
Local 12 also recently featured this work from UC College of Medicine researchers.
Featured image at top: iStock/leolingtang.
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