Comments on: Severe weather = severe headaches?

Question: Severe weather = severe headaches?

aletheia — Fri, 26 May 2006 19:53:10 -0800

Just before heavy rain/thunderstorms (especially so if lightning is involved) I get incredibly lethargic, fall in and out of sleep, get severe headaches, become panicky and restless and then after the whole spectacle is over, the horrible state I'm in vanishes. Why does this happen, and is there is a good way to treat/prevent it?

By: zadcat

zadcat — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:04:26 -0800

I'm prone to thunderstorm headaches myself. I just do what I'd do for any headache – caffeine and advil.

By: delmoi

delmoi — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:04:55 -0800

Try running around outside in the rain, if it's not too cold out.

By: oflinkey

oflinkey — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:06:07 -0800

My guess is the change in atmospheric pressure. I usually develop a migrane when a particularly bad storm is on the way. Not much to do. I take Maxalt, but I get migranes at other times as well.

By: ch1x0r

ch1x0r — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:21:55 -0800

I get pressure change headaches. Sudafed is the best thing for them in my experience. Not sure if this is your exact problem, though.

By: rolypolyman

rolypolyman — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:34:08 -0800

I doubt it's the change in atmospheric pressure. A typical fall of 0.15 inches before a storm corresponds to travelling uphill 150 ft. Do you get headaches driving around hilly parts of town?

If not, I think a more likely explanation is the sultriness of the air that often precedes storms.

By: oflinkey

oflinkey — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:49:11 -0800

rolypolyman, I got the whole pressure change thing from my doctor, so I am interested in your take on this, however I also get migranes before large snowstorms as well--being in Buffalo, NY that can be relatively frequent. I doubt it is sultryness in that case. Any ideas?

By: Rock Steady

Rock Steady — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:50:48 -0800

Is there a possibility that this is an anxiety/fear reaction? Do you ever have the symptoms (when you think the storm is coming) but then the storm [asses you by or is not very severe after all? Perhaps your doctor or a psychologist would be willing to prescribe some anti-anxiety medication before the next storm to see if the symptoms are lessened?

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Fri, 26 May 2006 20:51:24 -0800

Part of it is the presence of ionized particles in the air. Ions can cause quite drastic mood changes in people (and animals) who are sensitive to them.

Yes, it sounds all hokey and Sharper Image - ish, but there have been observed effects of positive ion concentration. The headache is probably more due to pressure changes than anything else, but the mood changes might easily be attributed to ion buildup due to the storm.

By: aletheia

aletheia — Fri, 26 May 2006 21:50:21 -0800

To respond to a few of these at once:
I will try Sudafed, which sounds perhaps targeted to this specific case, caffeine and Advil tend not to do anything for my headaches. (And btw, I am not a migraine person.)
As for the hill question: no, I don't get headaches in the hills. This is specific to storms, and given that it is especially bad then there is thunder and lightning rather than just rain, my subjective experience makes me prone to wonder about this ionized particle stuff.
I would rule out anxiety issues because this occurs to the same extent no matter how aware I am (even if not at all) that there is even a storm coming.
Anyone have a link about this sensitivity-to-ions business? Yes, it does sound hokey but I'm no scientist and would be interested to see some research.

By: salvia

salvia — Fri, 26 May 2006 22:50:50 -0800

I'll just fourth the "change in pressure" explanation -- at least, that's how my mom explains her headaches before storms. (And she was a registered nurse - not that she learned that in nursing school, necessarily).

By: joquarky

joquarky — Fri, 26 May 2006 23:48:04 -0800

I'm the opposite. I always get this sort of euphoric "warm and fuzzy" feeling when there's a thunderstorm outside. I really can't explain it.

If it's a steady, rolling thunderstorm I feel very calm and at peace with things -- my mind relaxes and I lose most of my incessant worries and obsessions. I usually feel like lying down and taking a light nap or just lying awake and letting my mind clear.

If it's a strong, energetic storm, I feel excited and energized. Usually my eyes are glued to the window watching the storm unfold outside. Afterwards, I usually feel like doing things that I'm not normally motivated to do.

Possibly, you are experiencing similar reactions, only yours are negative effects instead of positive.

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Sat, 27 May 2006 11:41:52 -0800

Here is a link about the biological efffects of gaseous ions on humans and animals. At the very least, it appears that the presence of ions in the atmosphere can have significant effects on serotonin levels, with the actual magnitude of the effect varying widely in the population. Since serotonin is known to have effects on mood, among other things, that might be an explanation. Perhaps you're one of the sensitive ones.

From what I read, in some people gaseous ions in the air can cause significant release of serotonin, and that could easily be a factor in the mood changes you're experiencing.

But then again, I'm not a doctory of any sort, so obviously I'm no authority.

By: Dipsomaniac

Dipsomaniac — Sat, 27 May 2006 11:42:47 -0800

Indeed, I am not a doctor, either.

By: stbalbach

stbalbach — Sat, 27 May 2006 13:37:55 -0800

Same think happens to me. t's been observed in animals as well. Fairly sure it is pressure drop and other factors mentioned here. I also suspect it may be an evolutionary response (lightning, run for cover, don't move) but that is speculation.