Are your migraine attacks triggered by weather conditions or allergies?

Today I wanted to write you about a topic that affects me very often and I know that it affects many people around the world. Migraine! In 2000, doctors discovered a small cyst / tumor located in the left hemisphere of my brain, measuring about 3 cm. Fortunately it is benign! However, it can cause headaches or migraines, absences, loss of vision, and some other symptoms derived from the medication.

When you have certain health conditions, many years I get used to living with pain, but today, with the help of all the practices that I recommend throughout my post (from meditation, yoga, stress management, chakra balance and of course, faith in God and the help of the Archangel Rafael) and some tips that I give you in this article, I think I can help you mitigate pain and reduce the frequency of your migraine episodes.

In this case, I will tell you about the relationship between migraine and changes in weather conditions and allergies.

Weather conditions are one of the most common triggers for many people. Weather-related triggers can include:

– Temperature changes

– High levels of humidity

– Extremely dry conditions

– Barometric pressure changes

The other important factor is headache from allergies.

Yes! Allergies can cause headaches. There are two types of headaches an allergy can cause: sinus headaches and migraine headaches. Headaches caused by a migraine is often mistaken to be a sinus headache. The two headaches are similar in that they both cause pain to the head, the nose is runny, congestion in the nasal regions, and watery eyes.

Although there are similarities between the two headaches, they are not the same. Some other symptoms are associated with sinus headaches that are usually not found in a migraine headache. Those symptoms are foul smell from one’s breath, nasal pus, fever, and lowered sense of smell.

The frequency of the migraine attacks is also higher in people that have allergies. If the trigger of the migraine attacks is an allergy, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

-Pain in the cheeks and forehead

-Pain all over the face

-A pulsating headache usually on one side of the head

-Nauseas

-Increased sensitivity to light

Allergies usually happen from time to time but the frequency can increase during the summer, fall, and spring – also commonly known as “allergy seasons”.

In my experience, I want to recommende some tips to minimize your migraine attacks (I am not a doctor, but, frecuently I suffering to migraine and I know that you could be in for a really difficult time!). Fortunately, there are ways of managing allergies to reduce both the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks.

1. Allergy Medications

Some medications can help to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Examples include antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy shots.

Antihistamines prevent the body from making histamine, which is a chemical that is produced when a foreign substance triggers the immune system. Decongestants are used to relieve pressure in the sinuses and decongest nasal pathways. So, remember to always consult your physician before purchasing any medications!

2. Stay Indoors When It’s Windy

Many allergens are usually wind-borne. We should, therefore, stay indoors as much as possible during windy days.

3. Cover Your Windows

If you’re sensitive to wind-borne allergens, precautions should also be taken to cover the windows of our homes and close the windows of our cars.

Covering the windows can significantly reduce the number of allergens that may enter the room or car. However, covering the windows may cause stuffiness and a rise in temperature which could also trigger migraine attacks—so make sure the room is well-ventilated and cool with air-conditioning and/or humidifier.

You need to check which method works best for you!

4. Avoid Activities That May Stir Up Allergens

Some activities may set off allergens like pollen, dust, and fungi molds—activities such as gardening, sweeping, lawn-mowing, etc.

We should stay away from these activities as much as possible in order to reduce the risk of an allergy-induced migraine attack.

5. Don’t Leave Your Clothes Outside

Since many allergens are wind-borne, there’s a tendency that they will settle on clothes that are left outside. Try as much as possible to keep your clothes indoors! Rather than drying clothes on a line, we can utilize a dryer.

6. Be Careful with Pets

Even though pets can be loving, there are many allergens found on the skins and furs of animals that can trigger an attack.

Extra care should be taken when handling pets. For instance, we should ensure that we wash our hands after handling any animals and if you own a pet, try to keep them away from where you usually sleep.

Remember your health comes first! Many of us value health, after we lack it … Only those who suffer from migraines know perfectly how annoying and painful they are, so below I show you some statistics (as of 2019) and I invite you to become aware of this issue, if not yet you have suffered:

1. Migraine is, according to the WHO, one of the 20 most disabling diseases that exist.

2. In Spain more than 3.5 million grown-up people suffer.

3. 42.5% of patients suffer from moderate to severe disability, however 20-25% of migraine patients have never consulted their problem with the doctor and 50% abandon follow-up after the first consultations.

4. Migraines are divided into episodic (less than 15 days of pain per month) and chronic (from 15 days per month for at least 3 months).

5. Patients usually have between 1 and 4 monthly crises with a duration of between 4 and 72 hours.

6. In Spain, 4% of patients who come to a neurology consultation do so because of a chronic migraine.

7. It is a very frequent disease and, nevertheless, the average identification time from its start to diagnosis is 28.7 months.

8. 80% of the patients present their first crisis before the age of 30.

9. The high percentage of absenteeism and loss of productivity represents a cost of around 2,000 million euros, according to data from the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN).

10. Migraine, especially in its chronic form, greatly affects the quality of life of patients, which increases the chances of suffering depression, anxiety, respiratory disorders, cardiovascular risk, etc.

In conclusion, despite so many advances the cause of migraine is not clear, some scientists believe that it is due to an alteration in the balance of serotonin, other researchers say it is caused by insufficient irrigation of the brain; But what if, it is important and I recommend you personally, is that you prevent it. Migraine can be prevented to some extent by paying attention to some good lifestyle habits, for example: maintaining a constant sleep rhythm, frequently practicing relaxation techniques (yoga, meditation, breathing), avoiding loud noises, protecting yourself against climatic variations, avoiding stress, and exercising regularly, among others. Remember your health is priceless!

Keep us still connected! A hug from my wings! 🦋.

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