Summer is often a more relaxed time, but for some people, it can bring headaches triggered by extreme heat, dehydration, and sun exposure.
Even positive changes in routine can sometimes cause problems. Consistency is often key to keeping headaches at bay.
Changes like sleeping later or sweating more can trigger headaches, according to experts. Strong scents can also be problematic, from barbecues to bug spray. Summer allergies may also trigger headaches by affecting the sinuses.
Dr. Emad Estemalik, a headache and migraine specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, said that allergies can cause an imbalance in the sinus chambers, which can provoke headaches.
“Allergies can actually induce what we call a disequilibrium between these chambers or those sinuses. That in itself can provoke headaches,” said Estemalik.
Estemalik also notes that heat and thunderstorms are potential triggers for headaches, but extreme weather in any season can cause headaches.
“The sudden change in barometric pressure tends to be one of the most crucial elements when it comes to weather,” Estemalik said. “Any time we go from temperatures like in the 50s or 60s all the way to the 80s within a 48-72-hour window or vice versa, that in itself can induce migraines.”
While the weather is beyond our control, it is essential to identify personal triggers and modify what we can.
If lifestyle changes don’t help, a variety of new medications are available.
“We have a huge arsenal of options from the traditional oral preventives that we use, now with monoclonal antibodies and small molecule CGRP antagonists, in addition to neuromodulation,” Estemalik said. “Really, there are so many options now. We’ve seen a revolution of treatment since 2018 in terms of what’s available for this patient population.”
To reduce the risk of summer headaches, experts recommend staying hydrated, wearing sunglasses, and taking frequent breaks in air conditioning to cool off.
Keeping a headache diary can also help identify triggers you may not be aware of.