A barometric pressure headache is a type of migraine headache that is caused by a change in atmospheric air pressure and is characterized by a severe headache centered on the front of the head and sinus area. No one knows exactly why pressure changes cause some people to develop headaches. Treatments include taking pain medication and taking steps to counteract the pressure change by lowering your blood pressure.
Air pressure, caused by the weight of the air pressing against the Earth, is called barometric pressure because it is measured by barometers. Barometric pressure is affected by the weather. An approaching storm causes a drop in barometric pressure, which is often when a barometric pressure headache forms. Barometric pressure will rise again after a storm has passed.
Barometric pressure is also affected by altitude. Barometric pressure is lower at high altitudes, such as in the mountains. This causes some people to develop headaches when walking, flying, skiing, or traveling to new locations.
Many scientists and researchers disagree about why changes in atmospheric pressure can cause headaches. One theory is that barometric receptors in the brain, which regulate blood pressure when one stands up quickly or changes position, could be affected by changes in atmospheric pressure. A similar theory posits that a change in atmospheric pressure causes small pressure changes in the fluid in the brain.
Atmospheric oxygen levels can be affected by changes in air pressure due to weather and altitude. The blood vessels try to compensate for the low oxygen levels by contracting and expanding, thus causing a headache. High temperatures and high humidity levels can also trigger weather-related headaches. Some people also get migraine headaches when the atmosphere is charged with electricity, such as before a thunderstorm.
A barometric pressure headache is often misdiagnosed as a sinus headache. The pain can occur on one or both sides of the head and is usually centered on the forehead and nose. Other migraine symptoms may also be present, including a throbbing head; sensitivity to light, noise, and odors; or nausea
One way to treat a barometric pressure headache is to prevent it from forming in the first place. Doctors sometimes advise patients taking migraine medications to slightly increase their dose if the barometric pressure is falling. Some people find that increasing their magnesium intake when there is a change in pressure prevents a barometric pressure headache from developing.
If a barometric pressure headache has formed, the only course of action is to treat the pain. Pain relievers, whether prescription or over-the-counter, are effective in mitigating headache pain. Some people find that aerobic exercise helps too, because exercise stimulates serotonin production and releases endorphins.
Relaxation techniques can also be effective in curing barometric pressure headaches. Lowering your blood pressure may help counteract the effect of pressure changes on the blood vessels in your head. Meditation, acupuncture, aromatherapy, yoga, and massage may be helpful in relieving a barometric pressure headache.
The best strategy for treating barometric pressure headaches is to try various combinations of these preventative and pain-relieving techniques to see what works best. Sufferers can try keeping a headache diary with symptoms and weather details. This information can be used to establish patterns and more accurately predict when a headache will occur and how best to treat it.