Migraine, which is defined as a headache syndrome that progresses in attacks, is a problem that affects approximately 16% of the society today. Migraine, which is closely related to the daily life, work and social life of the person, is also important in terms of the socioeconomic problems it creates. Noting that there are many factors that trigger migraine attacks, Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan emphasized that weather changes are also an important trigger for migraine attacks.
Migraine, which is defined as a headache syndrome that progresses in attacks, is a problem that affects approximately 16% of the society today. Migraine, which is closely related to the daily life, work and social life of the person, is also important in terms of the socioeconomic problems it creates. Noting that there are many factors that trigger migraine attacks, Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan emphasized that weather changes are also an important trigger for migraine attacks.
A study conducted in 2018 showed that the weather was perceived as a common trigger for migraine headaches by patients with migraine, and many studies were conducted on the subject. However, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan explained that weather changes can cause pain by triggering different variables.
THE REASON OF ATTACKS IS NOT EXACTLY KNOWN
Reminding that it is still not known exactly what causes migraine attacks, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said that although it varies from person to person, some triggers are also effective. While some foods, hormonal changes and stress are among the most frequently cited migraine triggers, variable weather conditions are also an important factor. Reminding that not everyone reacts to every weather change in the same way, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Özcan said, “While heat triggers pain in some people, cold weather can trigger migraines in some people. In some cases, more than one factor may need to come together to trigger an attack. The link between migraine and weather has not been clearly demonstrated, partly due to the difficulty of research. Weather changes can trigger different variables and cause pain.
EVERY FACTOR DOESN'T AFFECT EVERYONE IN THE SAME WAY
Stating that the preventive approach is primarily adopted in migraine, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “Even though migraine progresses differently in everyone, weather changes can trigger migraine attacks to a large extent. In particular, the southeastern region makes migraine attacks more frequent. Likewise, hot humid weather increases migraine attacks. In addition, seasonal changes, the transition from winter to summer, the transition from summer to winter, the body gets used to something and can affect migraine when changes begin to occur there. It can affect this in very dry, humid and cold weather, but especially hot and humid weather increases the attacks. Although it varies from person to person, sleeping a lot in some patients, sleeping less in some patients, hunger in some patients, skipping meals in some people, and weather changes in some people can trigger attacks too much. Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan gave important information about the effects of weather changes and migraine attacks.
DEHYDRATION DUE TO HUMIDITY AND TEMPERATURE MAY BE THE SOURCE OF ATTACK
Reminding that humidity and temperature changes in migraine patients generally differ from person to person, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “In another study carried out in 2017, the rates of admission to the hospital due to weather changes and related migraine attacks were examined, and it was determined that while admissions to the hospital increased in hot and humid weather, this rate was lower in cold and dry weather. One of the reasons why attacks increase during these periods may be dehydration (loss of fluid in the body). Because dehydration is a trigger in itself in migraine patients.” Said. Pointing out that some precautions should be taken to prevent moisture-related pain, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “In this regard, moisture-preventing devices such as air conditioners can be used. Likewise, not going out in very humid and hot weather is among the precautions that can be taken," he said.
PRESSURE MAY BE THE SOURCE OF PAIN IN SPRING
Reminding that the change in the barometric pressure of the air can also cause migraine attacks in some people, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “Especially, pressure differences due to temperature changes during seasonal transitions such as spring and autumn can trigger migraines. "Migraines are thought to be caused by differences in blood flow due to blood vessel dilation associated with the effect of changes in the physical load exerted on the body by atmospheric pressure."
Saying that migraine tends to be seen more at high altitudes, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan said, “There may be reasons such as the drying of the air and the decrease in pressure when you go up to a high altitude”.
“MIGREN DOES NOT LIKE LODOS”
Regarding the winds listed at the beginning of migraine triggers, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan told the following: “Patients especially express that attacks increase in windy weather. However, in some studies, it has been shown that patient complaints increase during these periods. For this reason, we do not recommend that the patient go outside unless it is an essential situation in windy weather. We want her to make the lifestyle changes that are actually the goal of treatment.”
WHY ARE WOMEN LUCKY?
Explaining that although it is known that migraine is more common among women than men, the cause of it is not known exactly, Assoc. Dr. Özcan said, “The fact that it appears more especially in the menstrual period suggests that hormone changes trigger this. For this reason, we think that hormonal changes in women may cause these migraine attacks to be seen more frequently.
“MIGRAINE PATIENTS KEEP A HEADACHE DIARY”
Reminding that each person experiences migraine attacks differently, Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan stated that it would be beneficial for patients to keep a "migraine diary" in order to draw the character of migraine, and continued his words as follows:
“We ask patients to keep a monthly headache diary and take small notes here, including when the pain started, what they did before, how long it lasted, what medications they used, what they ate before. Our aim here is not only to monitor the number of headaches and painkillers experienced by the patient in a month, but also to increase the awareness and insight of the patient about himself. To draw the character of his migraine. In this way, the patient can see more clearly what triggers his migraine in his daily life and can make the necessary changes. In this way, most of his attacks can be controlled.”
IS IT MANDATORY TO LIVE WITH MIGRAINE?
Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Neurology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Emin Özcan gave the following information about the treatment: “We can almost completely eliminate migraine attacks with the drugs we use in some migraine cases, or we can interrupt the attacks for a long time with treatment. However, patients try to manage the attacks on their own, resulting in the constant use of painkillers. This can also lead to what we call headache due to painkillers. Therefore, it is important that they consult a neurologist who is interested in this issue and change their way of life.”
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