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Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports 4/2024

Open Access 15-02-2024 | Migraine | Hot Topics in Pain and Headache (N Rosen, Section Editor)

Whether Weather Matters with Migraine

Authors: Delora Elizabeth Denney, Jane Lee, Shivang Joshi

Published in: Current Pain and Headache Reports | Issue 4/2024

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Many patients with migraine report their attacks are triggered by various weather anomalies. Studies have shown mixed results regarding the association of migraine to weather changes. The purpose of the current review is to compile the most up-to-date research studies on how weather may affect migraine. In addition, we explore the association between weather and other inflammatory disease states as well as neurotransmitters.

Recent Findings

Migraine attacks can be related to weather variables such as barometric pressure, humidity, and wind. However, the results of recent studies are inconsistent; weathers’ effect on migraine attacks is around 20%. However, very strong weather factors have a more significant effect on migraine attack variables.

Summary

Many individuals identify weather as a migraine attack trigger, yet we see no causative relationship between weather and migraine patterns. The outcomes of studies indicate mixed results and reflect individual variation in how weather can impact migraine patterns. Similar relationships can be seen with other rheumatologic and pain conditions in general. Overall, the combination of weather plus other factors appears to be a more significant migraine trigger.
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Metadata
Title
Whether Weather Matters with Migraine
Authors
Delora Elizabeth Denney
Jane Lee
Shivang Joshi
Publication date
15-02-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Pain and Headache Reports / Issue 4/2024
Print ISSN: 1531-3433
Electronic ISSN: 1534-3081
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-024-01216-8

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