Why does wind cause headaches?

He wind maybe quite headache. In a figurative sense, but also in a very literal sense. Often people with migraine They see how changes in the weather, especially those associated with winds like those that are shaking much of Spain these days, significantly worsen their symptoms. Even those who do not suffer from this condition may experience occasional headaches when exposed to strong winds. very strong.

Numerous studies have been conducted to test whether this is something psychosomatic or whether there really is a scientific explanation for wind-related headaches. And it seems that there is. In fact, there is many factors associated with this meteorological phenomenon, which can ultimately cause very severe pain.

Perhaps the most famous is the one associated with changes in atmospheric pressure. But other phenomena have also been studied, such as cold or even imbalances in ion levels in the atmosphere.

Influence of atmospheric pressure

Wind is associated with changes in atmospheric pressure, and this, in turn, is associated with headache.

The reasons are not entirely clear, but this appears to be the result pressure imbalance inside and outside small openings such as the sinuses or ears.

IN experiments with rats It has been observed that this pressure difference mainly causes two phenomena associated with headaches. One of them is a narrowing of the sciatic nerve, the other is an increase in the activity of the sympathetic nerve.

The pressure changes don’t have to be huge for this to happen. In fact, in human studies it has been observed that atmospheric pressure from 1003 to 1007 hectopascals This can already cause a headache. Standard atmospheric pressure is 1.013 hectopascals, so the difference is not very big. Even if it is about 5 hectopascals, a headache may already occur, especially in people who suffer from migraines or are prone to this type of pain for other reasons.

Something curious was also observed in rats: the effects of the drop in pressure were not felt if they damaged inner ear. Thus, it appears to be important for regulating blood pressure, which may be associated with headaches.

Cold or hot wind?

Wind is usually associated with cold. It can also cause headaches as it activates when it comes into contact with the face. trigeminal nerve, which sends a message to the brain that the temperature has dropped too much. This is similar to what happens when we drink slush all at once.

This activates mechanisms that try to warm the body and avoid hypothermia. They are very diverse, but among them there are contraction of blood vessels to conserve heat. A contraction that, even if necessary, can cause headaches.

But the wind is not always cold. Deserts, for example, can experience very dry and hot winds, which are also associated with headaches.

According to a study published in 2021, this is because this type of wind increases the level of positive ions in the air. They enter the body when we breathe and can cause large amounts of serotonina hormone that is known for its positive effects on mood, but like everything, it needs adequate doses.

Basically it acts like neurotransmitter. That is, it facilitates the transmission of signals between neurons. This is necessary, logical, but when there is too much of it, a kind of traffic jam occurs, causing, among other symptoms, a narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain and along with it a headache.

Climate change and headaches

Given this, it would not be strange if people prone to headaches had to endure more and more attacks.

extreme weather eventsIf they become more frequent, sudden changes in pressure will intensify, and headaches will not cease to appear. In addition, climate change is causing so-called environmental anxiety in an increasing number of people. That is, nervousness about observing the planet will remain among those who come.

Stress and anxiety They are also closely linked to headaches, which is another reason why weather can affect migraines and migraines. Without a doubt, wind is the clear driving force, but there are others, and there will be more and more of them if we don’t do something to prevent it.