Headache due to the weather, what does it mean, what diseases does it mean and how to treat it?

Migraine attacks bring noticeable discomfort to the life of a sick person. They do not allow you to live in peace and distract you from your usual activities. Sometimes the pain is so strong that you can hardly stand on your feet. The causes of such conditions can be very diverse. One of them is severe weather conditions. Let's consider what to do if you have a headache due to the weather.

Risks of weather dependence

People turned their attention to headaches when the weather changed in ancient times. However, deterioration in well-being due to changes in climatic factors is not observed in everyone and not to the same extent. Everyone has their own body reaction. Some people experience mild discomfort, while others develop severe cephalalgia.

Scientists have identified risk groups - people who do not tolerate severe weather conditions well. These include:

• Representatives of the fair sex. They get headaches due to the weather due to frequent hormonal imbalances. Typically, poor health is observed during menstruation, menopause and pregnancy.
• Children. You can often find pathology even in a child. The headache can last for several days.
• Headaches when the weather changes affect individuals already suffering from various diseases. The most dangerous include: damage to the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, respiratory system, diseases of bones and joints.
• Inhabitants of large cities. Increased concentrations of pollutants in the environment force people to react sharply to the weather. Residents of rural areas tolerate changes in climatic conditions more easily.
• People who are addicted to drinking alcohol-containing products. The body, weakened by toxins, reacts painfully to changes in environmental factors.

There are rarely situations when severe weather conditions negatively affect completely healthy people who are not susceptible to headaches.

Who is susceptible to weather dependence?

Everyone, at least once in their life, has felt the effects of meteorology, which manifested itself in the form of unpleasant symptoms. For most, this event was a one-time event, but for some, changes in weather conditions are permanent.

The following people are more likely to suffer from weather dependence:

• with chronic diseases such as atherosclerosis or cervical osteochondrosis. This is due to the fact that, in both cases, the tone of the blood ducts is affected, and this leads to narrowing. The consequence is an increase in blood pressure, which is reflected in the form of severe headaches;
• with mental illnesses and disorders. The reason is that these people are more impressionable and sensitive, which makes them more vulnerable even to weather conditions;
• pregnant women. During pregnancy, a woman experiences many changes that affect all systems of the body. Preparing for the birth of a baby leads to hormonal changes and increased sensitivity, which in most cases leads to weather sensitivity;

• during menopause. This process is typical not only for women, but also for men. Despite the fact that it occurs differently in them, we are talking about hormonal changes, which also becomes the reason for high susceptibility to changes in the weather;
• during teenage puberty. The reason for sensitivity is the same as in the previous two points - changes in the hormonal sphere;
• in the postoperative period or in the presence of chronic, severe diseases. The disease takes a lot of strength, which makes a person vulnerable to any negative influences;
• with diseases of the cardiovascular system. Problems in this area lead to a decrease in the tone of blood vessels and improper functioning of the heart, which can lead to increased symptoms due to weather exposure;
• after severe stress. Stressful situations take a lot of strength and energy, which can lead to a weakening of the body and its protective ability;
• children under 5 years old. The growth and formation of the body is the reason that the child’s body is weaker and unprotected, and therefore is susceptible to negative influences from the weather;
• taking hormonal medications or oral contraceptives.

What diseases contribute?

As already indicated, the presence of diseases makes the human body weakened and more susceptible to negative influences from the environment. Any disease reduces the body's protective function. But there are diseases that more often lead to a person’s meteosensitivity. These include diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Helpful information

It is precisely problems with blood circulation, the tone of blood vessels, and improper functioning of the heart that often lead to increased pain during sudden changes in weather and precipitation.

The most common diseases that contribute to meteosensitivity include:

• atherosclerosis;
• cervical osteochondrosis;
• aneurysm;

• vascular dystonia;
• arterial hypertension;
• hypotension;
• varicose veins and others.

In addition to the cardiovascular system, concomitant diseases are ailments of the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems. During weather changes in people with chronic diseases of the respiratory system, the disease recurs, manifesting itself in the form of colds, exacerbation of coughing attacks, and shortness of breath. These include bronchitis and bronchial asthma. The same applies to allergy sufferers who suffer during sudden weather changes.

In relation to the musculoskeletal system, arthritis is the leader. People suffering from it note that with meteorological changes, joint pain occurs and their legs “twist”.

People who have gastrointestinal disorders also suffer. It manifests itself through increased gas formation and a feeling of fullness.

Provoking factors

Every weather-dependent person is influenced by certain climatic factors. Some people get headaches before rain, others in sunny weather, and others - before a thunderstorm. The reaction depends on the state of health of the individual and his individual characteristics. Let's consider the most severe weather conditions that lead to a headache.

Sudden pressure surges

Atmospheric pressure is considered normal if it is 760 millimeters of mercury. A minimal deviation in one direction or another leads to headaches, aching and dizziness. Jumps in the indicator can occur under the influence of various factors. The most common are cyclones and anticyclones. People who are weather dependent often complain that they get headaches in windy weather.

Such severe weather conditions lead to headaches and additional painful symptoms:

• severe weakness;
• aches throughout the body;
• increased anxiety;
• decadent moods, irritability;
• stomach and intestinal disorders, diarrhea;
• lack of air.

Magnetic storms

When the weather changes, the magnetic field oscillates. Therefore, blood clotting increases and oxygen deficiency occurs in body tissues. These factors determine the fact that you get a headache before the weather changes. Most often, individuals susceptible to VSD and respiratory pathologies suffer. A healthy person will not experience painful symptoms when the weather changes.

How to reduce the level of weather sensitivity?

Reducing sensitivity to weather changes occurs through different methods. The most common of them include:

1. Refusal of alcohol abuse and cigarette smoking.
2. Maintaining a daily routine, proper sleep and rest.
3. Complete balanced nutrition.
4. Getting rid of extra pounds.
5. Play sports, if there are contraindications, do therapeutic exercises.
6. Consult a doctor immediately if you have any health problems.
7. Maintain your health to avoid relapses, take medications prescribed by your doctor (if you have chronic diseases that affect addiction).

Most often, people who suffer from a particular disease are sensitive to weather changes. To reduce the level of weather sensitivity, you need to monitor your health and lead a healthy lifestyle. Bad habits, consumption of fatty and floury foods in large quantities provokes not only excess weight, but also a decrease in the protective functions of the body. In order for the body to effectively fight external irritants, it is necessary to increase immunity by consuming vitamins and playing sports.

If we are talking about the presence of serious diseases that interfere with leading a physically active lifestyle, it is worth maintaining the condition through prescribed medications and spending more time in the fresh air.

The connection between pathological sensations and climate change

Today, scientists have not fully figured out why headaches occur when the weather changes. The most common version is oxygen starvation. The fact is that each climatic factor has a certain effect on the human body. This especially affects the activity of the cardiovascular system. This is why the pressure on the weather very often rises. This leads to circulatory disorders in the cerebral cortex. Neurons do not receive enough nutrients and oxygen. The combination of these conditions leads to headaches when the weather changes.

Methods to combat migraines

Very often, the appearance of wind acts as the main cause of headaches when late autumn comes or in spring there is a deterioration in health, this can be observed in many women and men. These pains can be different:

• They often cover one half of the head, have a pulsating nature, and as already noted, if a person moves a lot, they become stronger. For this reason, intracranial vessels are subject to spasm, as a result, the permeability of the vessel walls increases, which causes pain.
• Sometimes the pain spreads to the entire head, or more precisely, it is located in one area, but the patient thinks that the whole head hurts, and he cannot determine the exact location of the pain. As a rule, the pain is located in the temporal region and gradually spreads throughout the head.
• Pain in the back of the head when the wind blows is a very common phenomenon, so it is necessary to take this fact into account and take all necessary measures aimed at prevention.

So, there are many types of pain, and the most important thing is to avoid consequences, choose your own method of dealing with them.

Basically, people who experience migraines during weather changes have their own specific tactics for dealing with this disease. In addition, they use these drugs to stop the attack and feel relief. It is best to avoid these phenomena, if possible.

Body response

In addition to headaches caused by the weather, the following characteristic symptoms are added:

1. Weakness, dizziness.
2. The person feels sick and vomits.
3. Fatigue quickly, even with minor exertion.
4. Tooth pain, refusal to eat.
5. Nervousness, irascibility.
6. Pale or purplish skin.
7. Cardiopalmus.
8. Decreased functioning of the senses.

Additional symptoms may appear, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body.

Degrees of illness

Every person feels differently after a change in weather. Experts identify three main stages in the dependence of people’s well-being on meteorological conditions:

1. There is no pain. There is only slight discomfort. For example, a bad mood during the rain. Climatic fluctuations are tolerated quite easily, without adverse health consequences.
2. I feel unwell. Mainly from the cardiovascular system. The following manifestations are observed: sudden changes in blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, and shortness of breath.
3. A sharp deterioration in health. The person feels overwhelmed and is unable to lead a normal lifestyle. He has a pronounced headache and accompanying symptoms. Even when it's just raining.

Neurotic headache

In medical practice, there is such a thing as menianthes, which implies a neurotic headache, which is accompanied by a feeling of cold. It can also occur due to weather changes. It appears at the back of the head and can then spread throughout the entire head. During the wind, if a person bends over, his head hurts more, the pain does not subside, the same applies when a person walks too fast or climbs stairs. There may be a feeling of heaviness; women often complain of a feeling as if there is a heavy load on the brain. Pain can begin not only from the occipital region, but from the temporal region.

What climatic conditions affect humans?

The most pronounced influence on the well-being of a weather-dependent person is exerted by atmospheric pressure. It directly disrupts the normal functioning of vascular elements. Let's consider how the body reacts to changing climatic conditions:

1. Increased vitality. This is especially true for lethargic and inactive people due to low blood pressure. This category has a positive attitude towards changing environmental conditions.
2. Static reaction. Occurs when there is sudden cold weather. At the same time, hypertensive patients have headaches and heart rhythm disturbances.
3. Before the appearance of rain or snow, hypertensive patients experience a decrease in blood pressure. This has a beneficial effect on their well-being.
4. With high humidity, there is a lack of oxygen. This leads to deterioration in health indicators. This explains the fact that people often get headaches when it rains.

Cold and windy when walking

Headaches from cold and wind are not so harmless. Some people feel the same sensations as with the well-known migraine.

When not only does your head hurt, but these sensations worsen your overall health. And, it would seem, something can be done about it.

For example, take a warm bath or drink an analgesic or antispasmodic. But what should people do who, suffering from such an illness, often live on the street due to their occupation, work directly in the fresh air, or even live in cold regions.

To adapt your body to cold and wind, you need to accurately determine the causes of such headaches, which include:

• allergies to cold air;
• the body's reaction to the icy wind;
• reaction of hair follicles to cold;
• spasm (narrowing) of blood vessels in the head in cold weather.

Women are sensitive creatures and this applies not only to their souls, but also to their bodies. Any changes in the weather (the sun came out, clouds came, it began to rain) cause certain reactions in women.

Meteor dependence is one of the reasons why headaches occur during the summer-autumn transition period. Is it possible to cope with this addiction? What causes sensitivity to weather? Is this reaction to the weather normal? We will try to answer these and some other questions.

Causes of sensitivity

We have found out why headaches occur more often in cold weather than in summer. But what is meteosensitivity related to? The reason for a woman’s bad mood, stress, and depression is hormones.

When the temperature outside changes, the atmospheric pressure decreases or increases. Increased humidity affects the central nervous system and blood circulation.

When the weather changes abruptly, the body does not have time to adapt to hormonal changes. Hence the headaches, feeling of fatigue, pain in the arms and legs.

This reaction to the weather is considered quite normal. Hormonal levels rise in all women.

It's just that some people are more sensitive to changes.

Should I worry?

So, there is no need to worry about why your head hurts. twists his legs and arms? Or does weather dependence still need to be fought and treated? All women need to worry about their health.

Weather-related hormonal sensitivity isn't a big deal in and of itself. But there are some other dangers.

Sensitivity to the weather may hide other, more serious ailments. Many young ladies think that if they have a headache, it means the weather is changing.

And if he twists his hands, it means it will rain. Weather sensitivity can be a sign of disruption of the endocrine, nervous, and circulatory systems.

What to do

Experts advise those who are especially sensitive to the weather to visit a doctor. The examination will show why your head hurts.

whether there are serious problems or not. You need to start by visiting a therapist, who, after an examination, will refer you to a specialist (if there is such a need).

The therapist may refer you to a gynecologist, cardiologist or endocrinologist. It is better to waste time than to find out about advanced neurosis or hypertension.

How not to feel the weather

But what to do if the cause of the malaise is hormones and meteodependence? Is it possible to endure sensitivity to the weather? Weather sensitivity is not a disease, but this does not mean that hypersensitive girls do not need help.

For headaches and nausea, take appropriate medications. They, of course, are not able to get rid of the reaction to the weather, but they will relieve unpleasant symptoms.

Walking and frequent trips to nature will help reduce addiction. It has been noticed that city residents are more sensitive to weather conditions, while rural girls calmly endure all weather surprises.

1. On days of sudden climate change, try not to overload.

2. Avoid sports or activities that involve mental stress. It is better to postpone them to a more favorable time.

3. Accustom your body and blood vessels to sudden temperature changes. A daily contrast shower and other hardening exercises will help with this.

4. Infusions of sea buckthorn, chokeberry, and royal jelly of bees will help with a tendency to colds and depression. Just before eating spoonfuls of honey or drinking tincture, consult your doctor for any contraindications.

5. Monitor and strengthen your immunity, do not trigger chronic diseases, which especially make themselves felt during the spring-summer, summer-autumn, autumn-winter periods.

How to reduce weather sensitivity

When you have a headache due to the weather, effective measures that can relieve painful symptoms will help:

1. Water procedures will help improve your well-being. This can be either a relaxing bath or a contrast shower.
2. Food enriched with vitamins and microelements has a beneficial effect on weather-dependent people. For example, natural plant products, especially berries, lean meat, seafood, freshly squeezed juices.
3. If blood pressure levels are elevated, you should give up pickles and canned food, and also limit your drinking regimen.
4. Rest and proper sleep lasting at least three hours will relieve painful symptoms.
5. Among drinks during unfavorable periods, it is better to give preference to sweet tea.

Causes

This type of pain can occur for different reasons, and headaches come in different ways. In addition, wind is not the only reason that causes pain in sensitive people; in addition to wind pain, the following factors can cause pain:

• Decrease in air temperature;
• Strong wind or frost;
• Taking a cold or contrast shower;
• Eating food that is too cold.

As a rule, such attacks of pain are caused precisely by attacks of vascular tone, and, of course, they can either pass quickly or be more protracted.

Diagnosis of wind pain

The pain is associated with the cold irritant and occurs quite quickly when exposed to cold. That is, after the stimulus disappears, the attack can be easily eliminated.

Treatment

If you have a headache when weather conditions change, you should immediately visit a health care facility. You should tell the doctor all the details without hiding anything. For example, “I have a headache due to the weather, what should I do” or “I react poorly to the heat.” After conducting the necessary research methods and establishing a diagnosis, the medical professional will select the most appropriate treatment. Usually in such situations it is prescribed:

1. Drug therapy. The best medicines: Ibuprofen, Verapamil, Eleutherococcus tincture, Indapamide, Melarena.
2. Homeopathy. The following drugs help against weather dependence: Bryonia, Gelsemium, Pulsatilla, Belladonna, Hina.
3. Phytotherapy. Herbal treatment is very effective. Biologically active substances can relieve headaches. The most commonly used herbal decoctions are lemon balm, chamomile, St. John's wort, and horsetail.

In each case, an individual treatment course is prescribed. Self-medication can lead to negative health consequences.

Why does my head hurt so much in windy weather?

Biologists believe that cephalgia is a natural reaction of the body to stress from negative factors. It forces a person to look for a comfortable living environment. Doctors attribute the pain to vascular disorders. The body reacts to:

• weather change;
• decrease in body temperature; when cooled, blood vessels constrict.

The nature of the pain that occurs after the street:

• paroxysmal on one side - a sign of migraine, difficulty in blood flow;
• pulsation in the temples indicates hypertension;
• heaviness in the occipital region appears due to overexertion.

Interesting: Why does my head click when I walk?
Warm baths with essential oils help return to normal. If your head hurts a lot after going outside, we can take antispasmodics or analgesics, codeine-based products.

Severe cephalalgia cannot be tolerated; it signals that the brain needs help and is experiencing oxygen starvation. Strong gusts of wind have an emotional impact: they increase irritability. This is one of the reasons why my head hurts after going outside.

In cold and frosty windy weather, your head should be protected with a hat and your face with a scarf. Sudden cooling of the skin provokes spasms.

Preventing headaches due to weather changes

In order not to be tormented by the question of how to treat a headache due to the weather, you can adhere to effective preventive measures. Let's list the most effective ones:

1. Get enough rest. The frantic pace of life contributes to a decrease in immunity and the development of weather dependence.
2. Go to bed early, no later than ten o'clock in the evening.
3. Walk daily. The duration of walks should be about forty minutes.
4. Adjust your diet. You will need to eliminate fatty, salty, and sweet foods. Before purchasing products, you need to pay attention to the quality and expiration date.
5. Keep your living space and work area well ventilated.
6. Minimize psycho-emotional stress.
7. Drink enough clean water, about two liters per day.
8. Stop smoking tobacco and alcohol-containing products.

The best thing to do when you have a headache due to the weather is to go to the hospital. Only under the supervision of a knowledgeable specialist can the patient’s condition be alleviated.

How to recover from a headache from the weather: seven simple tips

We can't cope with what's outside the window

Photo: Ivan VISLOV

1. Massage

It has been scientifically proven that if a person often suffers from headaches and at the same time devotes some time to massage at least 2-3 times a week, then his attacks will be at least half as frequent and much weaker. Massage restores blood supply and allows the body to relax - and this relieves spasms - the main cause of pain. In addition, a head massage is very pleasant. Do it with smooth circular movements - moving from the back of the head to the forehead. And the bio-point responsible for normalizing pressure is located under the occipital protuberance [self-massage for headaches - in the BTW section].

2. Stretching

Tension pain occurs due to stagnation of blood in the collar area and because the muscles become numb and “stony”. It's simple! We stretch our neck, raising our head up, then lowering it down, then left and right, and finally making circular movements with our head. Moreover, at the end point of each movement, we make a stretching movement with our neck and fix the neck and head in this position for 10 seconds. Then rest for five seconds and proceed to the next movement.

3. Warm - cold

If the pain is throbbing, then you can apply ice or a wet towel to your temples - important arteries pass here that supply blood to the cerebral cortex. A slight drop in temperature can quickly relieve a headache, advises a CNN Health expert. On the contrary, if the pain is pressing, then you should put something warm on the back of the neck - this will create an outflow of blood and lower the pressure.

4. Control your consumption of caffeinated products

Caffeine can constrict blood vessels around the brain, causing migraines. More than 3 cups ground or 5 instant will cause problems. Try reducing the amount, or switching to decaffeinated drinks. Remember that dark chocolate, of course, is good for the heart, but it also contains caffeine and is one of the foods that provoke headaches.

4. Don't eat dry food

The tissues surrounding the brain are 90% water, so dehydration leads to nerve irritation and pain. When there is a lack of fluid in the body, the blood thickens, which further aggravates the reaction to the weather. Drink 1.5-2 liters of water daily. If you snack on the go, be sure to wash down solid foods with water.

6. Watch out for nuts, beans and ginger.

The trace element magnesium regulates blood flow to the brain and blood sugar levels. It is found in fresh green vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, beans, and oatmeal. Together with vitamin B6, it tidies up the autonomic nervous system and reduces weather sensitivity (you can buy a vitamin complex with these substances).

Also, for those who often suffer from headaches, it is good to eat ginger more often. Its active substance, capsaicin, blocks the effect of certain substances that cause inflammation of blood vessels and migraines. Capsiacin is also found in mustard seeds and chili peppers.

7. Create a microclimate

We cannot cope with what is outside the window. But anyone can create a microclimate at home that is beneficial for your little head. Very often we cannot cope with a headache without medication simply because we do not know how to relax. Hence the constant overvoltage. Set aside “unloading” minutes - at least 20 minutes after a working day, listen to pleasant background music (preferably without words, so as not to concentrate on the meaning of the song and start humming), learn to control your breathing according to the yogic principle (breathe with your stomach, “knock down” the breathing rhythm - it helps relieve stress). And most importantly, you need to accustom yourself to clear your head of all extraneous thoughts for a short time! According to scientists, in a day we absorb only 5-7% of the necessary information; all other thoughts are empty troubles.

BY THE WAY

Self-massage for headaches

It's better to do it while sitting. All points need to be pressed with medium force for 1-1.5 minutes each.

So, if you have pain:

FOREHEAD

The first point is located above the bridge of the nose - in the middle between the eyebrows. Turn your thumb with your nail down and apply pressure with the pad.

Next, find a point located along the midline of the face 1-1.5 cm above the front border of hair growth. Press down on it with the pad of your thumb.

From above, inspect your hand with your fingers tightly folded. A muscle tubercle forms between the thumb and index finger. The point we need will be in its center. Press down firmly with the thumb of your other hand. Massage the points on both hands alternately.

WHISKEY

Feel the hole on your temple - this will be the “sun” point, especially revered in Chinese massage. It is better to massage these points simultaneously with your middle fingers.

The next point is located on the head directly behind the top point of the ear. Press on both points simultaneously with the pad of your middle finger.

NAPE

First, thoroughly stretch the muscles in the neck and shoulder area.

Then, using your index fingers, use light circular movements to massage the brow ridges from the bridge of your nose to the center.

Find a point under the occipital protuberance. Massage it a little longer - 2-2.5 minutes.