By GinaCherundoloAccuWeather.com
The weather often affects how we feel. Manypeople suffer from the "winter blues" every year. Many arthritis patients saythey can feel the weather "in their bones." However, many doctors now say thatyou can feel the weather in your head.
In an article published by USA Today, 18 percent of women and 6 percent of menreport having migraines, young and middle-aged adults in particular, accordingto Merle Diamond, co-director of the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago.
Although migraine triggers can include alcohol and caffeine, according to somerecent studies, they can be triggered by changes in the weather pattern.
Physicians report that sudden changes in barometric pressure, as well as highertemperatures and humidity, tend to bring about more migraines. Changes inpressure in the air affects oxygen levels, which can affect the blood vesselsin the brain. Contracting and expanding blood vessels in the brain are whattrigger most headaches.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some warning signs of an oncoming migraineinclude flashes of light or blind spots in your vision and a tingling sensationin your limbs. Migraines can last from several hours to several days, andsymptoms include nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
While the weather is responsible for triggering many migraines, according toresearch at the New England Center for Headache, many people do not know whattype of weather change was responsible.
So, what can you do to prevent migraines? Talk to your doctor about properlymedicating your migraines. Be sure to check www.AccuWeather.com for your localforecast. Watch for changes in the weather, and try to keep track of whatchanges bring about your headaches.
The next time a storm hits or the pressure changes, know to take yourmedication in advance. Migraines can be avoided if you take the medicine beforethe headache starts.
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