In summer, patients with migraines face a higher risk of attacks because several triggering factors act simultaneously. The main "summer" migraine triggers include heat, stuffiness, sudden temperature and atmospheric pressure changes, and dehydration, reports the website infohub.kz.
Migraine is a form of primary headache, a chronic neurological condition characterized by recurrent attacks of severe throbbing head pain. The pain is typically one-sided, moderate to severe in intensity, and worsens with physical activity. Attacks often come with accompanying symptoms: nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light (photophobia) and sound (phonophobia).
"A 5°C rise in air temperature is linked to an approximately 19% increase in the risk of a migraine attack. High temperatures cause the body to overheat and blood vessels to dilate, and in hot weather people lose fluids faster. Additionally, in summer people often alter their daily routines: they go to bed late, travel across time zones, skip meals because appetite may decrease in the heat, spend a lot of time in bright sunlight, and drink more alcohol. All these factors raise the likelihood of an attack in those predisposed to migraines," the expert reminded.
Therefore, in summer it is especially important to follow simple preventive measures: maintain adequate fluid intake, do not skip meals, avoid overheating, wear a hat and sunglasses, and try to stick to a regular sleep schedule even during vacations. It is impossible to completely eliminate all triggers, but reducing their impact is quite feasible.
"If migraine attacks occur regularly—for example, four or more times a month—lifestyle management alone may not be enough. In such cases, it is worth discussing preventive treatment with a doctor, which can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Today, alongside non-drug measures, medication options are available, including gepants. At the same time, adhering to a healthy lifestyle—adequate sleep, regular meals, maintaining hydration, moderate physical activity, and moderate alcohol consumption—remains an important part of prevention," the doctor concluded.