Heatwaves can cause headaches as warm temperatures can trigger headaches and even migraines. There are a number of reasons why hot weather causes headaches, including dehydration, a rapid change in air pressure, and bright sunlight.
Severe headaches can be triggered by a rapid drop or rise in the barometric pressure (atmospheric pressure), which causes pain when the air pressure in your sinuses is different from the outside air. In hot weather, the barometric pressure can fall suddenly, especially in the event of a thunderstorm or high wind.
Unfortunately, those who suffer chronic migraines are more likely to have a painful reaction to even a small change in the air pressure, one study found. Other symptoms they’re likely to experience from a change in pressure include nausea, sensitivity to light, and pain in the temples, Healthline reports.
Read More: 10 reasons why headaches cause you pain and the best ways to treat them
Headaches can also be a symptom of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Signs of serious heatstroke that should be treated as an emergency include fast breathing or shortness of breath, a fit (seizure), loss of consciousness, or non-responsiveness, the NHS states.
Additionally, headaches are also caused by dehydration. So if you’re out in the hot sun in 32C (90F) temperatures remember that you’re losing body fluid at a rate of approximately one litre an hour and that you should aim to replenish this by drinking water, Dr. Jennifer Kreigler told CBS.
Dehydration happens when your body loses more water than it takes in, this can cause the blood vessels in your brain to shrink causing a throbbing pain, Business Insider reports. The best way to combat this is by drinking water and drinks with electrolytes, staying out of the sun, and by taking appropriate painkillers when necessary.
Similarly, bright sunlight can also trigger headaches. Wearing sunglasses is advised to prevent this and protect your eyes.
Official NHS advice states: “Bright lights and glare, especially if flickering, can induce migraines. This is because bright and flickering lights boost the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, which then activate the migraine centre.”
The NHS also lists ice cream as a headache trigger, so be careful when indulging in an ice cold treat. It states: “Do you get a sharp, stabbing pain in your forehead when you bite into an ice cream cone? Then you're susceptible to ice cream headaches, caused by cold material moving across the roof of your mouth and the back of your throat. Ice lollies and slushy frozen drinks have the same effect.”
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