At the age of five I had my first migraine, though I didn’t know it then. All I knew is that I’d had an orange flavour sweet. Within the hour I was vomiting, unable to see, with a numbness in my arms and legs, and a feeling as though I’d been punched in the head.  

Of course, the initial thought was that I’d caught a horrible sickness bug. It came and went. Within 24 hours I could see again, another 24 and I felt normal. 

These attacks continued to happen. Unpredictably and sporadically throughout my childhood and teen years, I’d have to stop what I was doing and dash to the nearest dark room, desperate to stop the car crash of symptoms. It rarely worked.

What’s the trigger? 

As these migraines continued to spoil school days, trips and dinners, I began to form a link between certain foods: 

• Mint – both in savoury food and sweets 
• Orange flavouring  
• Tuna  
• Specific cheeses – including the one used in my school canteen  

Not too bad right? Well, some people also experience migraines when they consume chocolate, wine, processed meats and coffee. It’s a minefield. 

That’s not all   

Food and drink aren’t the only triggers. By far the most disruptive trigger for me is the sun. Inescapable and, in Britain, completely unpredictable. Ever looked at a bright light, only to look away with spots on your eyes? They normally fade quickly, right? For some migraine sufferers that’s not the case. For me the sunspots grow, until I’m unable to see at all. This can happen in the space of a minute, until suddenly I’m feeling my way down the hall. 

Read more: When to trust your instincts in the face of medical gaslighting

Much more than a headache 

The reality for migraine sufferers is that they often need to spend their lives in a constant state of risk assessment. Solo travelling? What if you have an attack and need to navigate – you can’t see your phone screen. You’re in an unfamiliar place. You can’t drive because you can’t feel your arms and legs or see the road.  

Dismissed at the GP 

When the attacks ramped up in my twenties – sometimes multiple times a month – I finally went to my GP, desperate for answers. I’d quit a job over harsh office lighting. I wore sunglasses at night to avoid LED triggers. I was ready to investigate; blood tests, MRIs, allergy exams – anything to get answers. 

I entered the practice, sat down, waited for the inevitable questions. My GP glanced at my notes and simply asked if I wanted a preventative medication you take every day, or a responsive medication for when you’re experiencing an attack? 

When I explained that I was hoping for answers, an idea as to why by body was reacting like this. I was waved off.  

This dismissal over health concerns is not unique to me. In a 2021 government survey it was found that, out of nearly 100,000 women, 84 per cent expressed that there have been times where they weren’t listened to by a healthcare professional. 

The pill problem 

Whilst medication can be helpful, the idea of taking a daily pill for the rest of my life was certainly not something I wanted to do. Opting for the responsive medication I took a peek at the side effects, and it was extensive. From fainting to seizures. You can’t take the pills if you’re on any other medication, or if you’ve got a history of strokes, heart issues, high blood pressure, liver issues, the list was endless. Yet, nobody was willing discuss these risks. They handed me the pills, and I was on my way.

The bigger picture 

Women statistically are between 2-3 times more likely to suffer from migraines, than men. I can’t help feeling that this experience is an example of dismissal of women’s health issues. I was offered no consultation, no discussion of options, causation and the implications of taking medication. 

Taking matters into my own hands  

Frustrated, I dove into the research. Forums, medical journals, specialist blogs – you name it. Eventually, I found what doctors never told me: 

I have hemiplegic migraines – a rare type affecting just 0.01% of people. They mimic strokes, cause vision loss, numbness, even temporary paralysis. They’re genetic, tied to mutations in specific genes like CACNA1A and ATP1A2. Oh, and they carry a higher risk of actual strokes.

Next steps 

Understanding the disorder certainly elevated some of my stress surrounding it. Migraines, of all varieties, are rarely fatal. My research also revealed that sodium high foods, stress and dehydration can also exacerbate symptoms. So, concentrating on those elements can help to stop a migraine before it starts. 

In the future, when I have any health concerns, I’m going to make sure to advocate for research and clarity. My GP knew that I was experiencing stroke-like symptoms and decided against investigation. If you’re experiencing debilitating issues, and feel it has a potential to be something more sinister, advocate for yourself. The issue of negligence towards women in medical settings is disgraceful. We need to be loud about it! 

Help is out there  

Charities like The Migraine Trust and The Brain Charity provide helpful information, both around the causes and variations of migraines. They also point migraine sufferers towards helpful resources for prevention and mitigation.  

If your migraines are impacting your ability to work, drive or care for yourself, you may be entitled to help from the Government – see here. 

For more resources surrounding medical discrimination towards women see: Elly Charity, a charity committed to protecting and promoting women’s health through research, education and application.  

Additionally, take a look at the government’s ‘Women’s health – Let’s talk about it’ survey. 

What you can do to prevent yourself having a migraine – today

• Drink water: Adults should drink 1.2-1.6 litres of water a day. That’s equivalent to 6-8 glasses. Keep count to ensure you’re not dehydrated.
• Practice mindfulness: It’s no secret that high stress levels can cause headaches and migraines. Try to do at least one activity a day to bring you a sense of calm. For example, yoga or a walk.
• Keep quick fixes on hand – Whatever helps, keep it with you. Be that triptans, anti inflammatories or cold compresses. If you suffer an attack whilst out of the home this could be the difference between an inconvenience and disaster.
• Identify triggers – It’s helpful to keep a food and activity diary when you suffer attacks. That way, you can better identify triggers to avoid in the future.

Disclaimer : I am not a medic. If you’re experiencing health issues please contact a medical professional.

Emma Cruickshank

Emma is a literature, TV, and film enthusiast. When she’s not writing, she can normally be found out in the Sussex countryside, walking her dog Herbie, or in a restaurant drinking an overpriced cocktail and dreaming up ideas for her next literary endeavour.

The post I learned how to stop my own migraines appeared first on Silver Magazine.

From sunny skies to stormy days, the weather has various ways of impacting our moods, activities, and even our heads. Headaches, migraines, sinus pain – air pressure changes can be the devil that brings all the pain to your yard.

I’ve had a headache for four days now.

Across the weekend (thanks for that) and now into Monday, and as we speak, now Tuesday. It’s kind of migrainey; I’ve got a swimming head, also sinus pain, and light-sensitivity. And I can’t even wear my hair up because it’s pulling on my scalp. And my tinnitus is screaming. I’m typing this with the screen as dim as possible, but I want to be lying in a dark room.

A quick post on Facey shows that I’m not alone. And the reason for this collective headaching is air pressure.

Air pressure and headaches – how does it work?

Imagine a balloon. When you inflate it, the air inside pushes against the walls, creating a certain pressure. Our heads, in a way, are like balloons. They contain air (stop with the jokes about airheads), and just like our beloved party decs, changes in external air pressure can affect the delicate balance inside our skulls.

…low-pressure systems bring forth clouds, rain, and perhaps a sneaky headache

In the weather realm, high-pressure systems are associated with clear skies and sunny days. On the other hand, low-pressure systems bring forth clouds, rain, and perhaps a sneaky headache or two. Or three. Or four, dammit.

When the barometric pressure drops, it affects the equilibrium between the air pressure inside and outside our heads, leading to those dreaded head-pounding episodes.

Sinuses under pressure

It’s not just inside the skull though. Our sinuses, those hollow cavities nestled around our noses and cheeks, play a significant role in the headache-air pressure tango. When the outside air pressure decreases, it can cause our sinuses to expand slightly. This expansion puts pressure on the sensitive nerves surrounding them, resulting in discomfort and, you guessed it, headaches.

Trapped air troubles

But wait, there’s more. Remember your balloon-head? Well, trapped air within our heads, particularly in the middle ear and nasal passages, can become a headache catalyst. When the external air pressure changes rapidly, it can create a discrepancy between the trapped air and the outside pressure, leading to that unwelcome pounding sensation.

When the external air pressure drops, our Eustachian tubes have to work harder

Let’s give credit to the unsung heroes of our heads: the Eustachian tubes. These tiny passageways connect the middle ear to the back of the throat, aiding in maintaining equal air pressure on both sides of the eardrum. 

When the external air pressure drops, our Eustachian tubes have to work harder to equalise the pressure, also potentially causing discomfort and headaches. I’m still not sure if popping your ears helps, but I have found myself doing it unconsciously over the past few days, so maybe.

Migraines and atmospheric shenanigans

While regular headaches might have their roots in air pressure fluctuations, migraines take centre stage as the weather’s drama queens. Research suggests that changes in atmospheric pressure and other weather factors can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals. 

There’s a lot more to this, without getting madly technical, around blood flow to the brain – or lack of – and dilation of blood vessels associated with the physical load that atmospheric pressure brings. A Japanese study of migraine sufferers found that low air pressure increased the chance of migraine considerably. So that’s nice.

So what is the right pressure for us?

Obviously this varies a bit from person to person, but as a rule of thumb, if you want to nerd out on this, ‘standard’ air pressure setting is 1013 hPa. hPa is hectopascals, also called millibars, and a drop of 6-10 hPa is good enough to kick off a decent migraine or headache. 

I did a search for barometric pressure in my area (Adur, Sussex), and it’s around 1012 hPa as of 8am this morning, and rising. Hurrah! Unfortunately, right now the forecast is an air pressure decline again from Thursday, down to 1004 or so on Saturday (15^th July). I can’t wait. Screenshot below – I’m really hoping it might change as the week goes on. Sorry it’s a bit blurry – frankly everything looks a bit like that at the moment.

Tips for weather-related headache relief

I have no clue if these things will really help except the drugs one, but I found some ‘tips’ for helping with air-pressure-related head pains.

1. Stay hydrated: Proper hydration can help maintain the equilibrium within your body, potentially easing headache symptoms.

2. Practice relaxation techniques: Stress and tension can exacerbate headaches, so take some time to unwind with deep breathing, meditation, or gentle exercise.

3. Use warm or cold compresses: Applying a warm or cold compress to your forehead or the back of your neck may provide temporary relief.

4. Consider over-the-counter meds: Anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen, or decongestants may help alleviate headache symptoms. I am not a doctor, so don’t take this as proper medical advice though.

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Sam Harrington-Lowe

Sam is Silver’s founder and editor-in-chief. She’s largely responsible for organising all the things, but still finds time to do the odd bit of writing. Not enough though. Send help.

The post Headaches and air pressure: when weather plays tricks on our heads appeared first on Silver Magazine.