| Do you suffer from barometric pressure and | | | | activated and cause vasodilation in the head and |
| headaches? What in the world is that? Well when | | | | therefore, headaches. |
| the clouds roll in and the pressure drops, you | | | | None of this has been proven yet, but those of |
| know what I mean! Your head begins throbbing as | | | | us with migraines are getting to the point where |
| the day goes on. Unfortunately, when this | | | | we can predict the weather almost as good as |
| happens, many people think they are getting a | | | | the arthritis patients!! |
| sinus headaches. Sadly,this usually isn't the case. | | | | How Do We Manage Barometric Migraine? |
| What you are really getting is migraine. The | | | | There are a few ways you can manage |
| throbbing can be on one side or the other or | | | | headaches caused by pressure changes. |
| even both! Up to 40% of all migraines are | | | | 1. If you are taking daily medication, like |
| centered around the forehead and nose which is | | | | anti-seizure medications, you could consider |
| why you think you are getting "sinus". | | | | increasing the dose slightly when the weatherman |
| Just about any migraine sufferer can tell you | | | | says the pressure will change. By going up one |
| when the pressure is dropping or when the | | | | dose for a few days, and then coming back |
| humidity is high, as a migraine will hit pretty soon. | | | | down, this may blunt the oncoming headache. |
| At the present time, scientists are not quite sure | | | | 2. Increase your magnesium intake. I advise |
| as to why this happens. (No..it's not the full moon!) | | | | patients to go up by 200-400 mg per day during |
| A couple of theories have been put forth. One | | | | this time.This too might help blunt the headaches |
| neurologist posed that changes in the barometric | | | | during this time. |
| pressure could cause small pressure changes in | | | | 3. At the onset of the headache, take your |
| the fluid in your brain. This could set off those | | | | medication as fast as you can. If you are taking |
| migraine receptors in the brainstem. | | | | triptans (like Imitrex), add Naprosyn or Aleve to |
| Several years ago, at an APA (American | | | | the mix. These drugs have a longer mode of |
| Psychiatric Association) meeting, Dr.Mindlin of | | | | action and may stay in your system long enough |
| Jefferson Medical College thought perhaps this | | | | for the weather to blow over! |
| type of migraine was due to dilation of blood | | | | 4. Exercise! By doing aerobic exercise you raise |
| vessels caused by pressure changes. This idea is | | | | seratonin and endorphins which may blunt the |
| a bit complex, as the vessels dilate during a | | | | headache. Besides if the weather is bad and you |
| migraine no matter what the cause. The basic | | | | can't go outside, might as well do something |
| theory here is that the barometric receptors in | | | | productive. |
| the brain (which regulate blood pressure when you | | | | Hopefully one of these suggestions will ease your |
| stand up and change position) might also be | | | | migraine, and will help you to have more headache |
| affected by atmospheric pressure changes. As | | | | free days. |
| the pressure drops, perhaps these receptors are | | | | |