If you think winter is all about foggy mornings, cool air and festive cheer, you are probably not a migraine sufferer. For thousands of people, winter arrives with a hidden cost. As temperatures fall and daylight shortens, migraines come out to play.
Every year, fog, chilly winds and sudden weather shifts trigger debilitating headaches for many. What looks like a pleasant seasonal change for some becomes a period of constant anticipation and pain for others.
The relationship between migraine and weather is multifactorial. Migraine is triggered by a change in the calibre of the blood vessels in the brain and their stretching. It is assumed that cold weather or a drop in the barometric pressure can affect the tone of the vessels and trigger migraine. The other theory is that the rise in serotonin level, a chemical in the brain which increases in cold weather, may be responsible for migraines during winter.
Winter mornings are famous for dense fog, chilly wind and sudden temperature fall. Tisha, a 30-year-old woman from Dhaka, said, “Sometimes I feel like my head predicts the weather faster than my phone apps. Every time the temperature drops, I know it’s going to attack brutally.”
For many migraine sufferers, these shifts are more than uncomfortable; they are triggers. “It’s literally like a war between me and my nerves”, she added.
Some migraine sufferers experience warning signs known as an aura before or during an attack. These may include flashes of light, blind spots, tingling sensations on one side of the face or body, and even difficulty speaking.
“The prodromal phase may include neck discomfort, mood change, yawning, a sense of not feeling good”, said Dr K.F.M. Ayaz, specialist in Internal Medicine, Evercare hospital. “There are plenty of triggering factors for migraines, including sleep disturbance, exhaustion, hunger, change in weather or even altitude.”
Light sensitivity is another overlooked factor. Winter days are shorter and darker, keeping people indoors for longer periods under artificial lighting and in front of screens. Prolonged exposure to harsh indoor light can worsen migraines, quietly intensifying the problem.
Dehydration also plays a villain’s role. In colder months, people often forget to drink enough water. Reduced thirst does not mean reduced need, and dehydration can easily trigger migraines during winter.
“Staying well-hydrated helps maintain vascular balance and may reduce migraine attacks,” Dr Ayaz said. “Keeping warm and avoiding sudden temperature changes are equally important.”
A migraine attack can last anywhere from four to 72 hours if left untreated. Some people experience them occasionally, while others endure multiple episodes every month.
A common but dangerous issue among migraine sufferers is medication-overuse headache. Frequent use of painkillers, especially those containing aspirin, acetaminophen or caffeine, can create a painful cycle where the medication itself becomes the trigger.
Headaches from excessive medication use can create a painful loop. If pain relievers cease to alleviate discomfort and start leading to headaches, you may consider taking additional pain medication for relief.
But the most important thing is that you should always consult a doctor before taking any medication. “People should always consult a doctor if their headache is prolonged, if there is a change in character of their headache, if the attacks seem different from the usual, if someone has a focal neurological sign along with their headache,” Dr Ayaz suggested.
Migraines may not be reduced for a lifetime. But you can control it. From today, identify your trigger point, and once you find it, you can at least try to remove it. While this may not always be easy, being aware of your triggers aids in recognising them and addressing a migraine when it begins.
