If you think of a migraine as a headache, you've probably never had one. Migraines are so much worse than regular headaches.
Migraine attacks usually last for days, going through several phases. During these phases, you may experience various aches and pains, nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, visual disturbances, ringing in the ears, confusion, light sensitivity, or fatigue. Of course, the entire episode reaches a high point (or perhaps more accurately, a low point) with throbbing, relentless pain.
There are many things that may trigger a migraine, depending on the person. Stress, strong odors, alcoholic beverage consumption, hunger, lack of sleep, or eye strain are all potential triggers. There is one thing that can cause a migraine that most people don't realize: the weather.
How Weather May Trigger a Migraine
You don't notice it, but there is pressure in the atmosphere all around us at all times. Atmospheric air pressure is measured with a barometer. When the barometric pressure drops on the outside, it can cause an imbalance of pressure in the sinus cavities and/or the inner ear. These pressure changes may trigger a migraine in some people.
A well-known study from Japan showed that when barometric pressure changes, there is an increase in the sale of a popular headache remedy. The observation led scientists to conclude there was a correlation between atmospheric pressure changes and migraines.
Further studies were done on people with chronic migraines, and scientists found that migraines were more likely to occur when atmospheric pressure changed. On the flip side, when atmospheric pressure was higher, significantly fewer migraines were reported.
How The Weather Report Can Help You Prevent Migraines
If you are not sure what is triggering your migraines, keep a diary recording the barometric pressure on the days you get migraines. If you notice there is a correlation, you may be able to save yourself some big headaches—literally.
Keep track of the weather forecast. You can't control the weather, but you can control other variables in your life. If you know the conditions will be right for migraines, take some preventative measures. Practice stress reduction techniques, stay well hydrated, and get plenty of sleep, fresh air, and exercise. If your doctor has prescribed any migraine preventative medication, make sure to take it. All of these things can help reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.
Seek Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical care is beneficial to many migraine sufferers. When the spine is misaligned it can disrupt the flow of nerve signals in the brain, and this may in part contribute to migraines. Tension and pain caused by misalignments can also increase stress, which contributes to migraine attacks.
Dr. Gordon Elder can help ensure your spine is properly aligned as part of a holistic treatment for migraines. Chiropractic care offers a safe, drug-free, non-invasive treatment option.
Dr. Elder works at the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas. He is a trained practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This technique incorporates advanced diagnostic tools and specially trained practitioners to help restore the body's naturally aligned state.
Dr. Elder's plan begins with screening. Using 3D diagnostic imaging tools, he's able to better visualize your unique anatomy and pinpoint problem areas.
In the second step of Dr. Elder's plan, he's able to use those advanced scans to make adjustments with precision. This allows the doctor to use a lighter touch that is much more comfortable for the patient.
Finally, Dr. Elder follows up with regular check-ups to ensure the alignment is holding. This allows him to get ahead of any potential problems in the future through preventative care.
Don't continue to suffer from migraines when there is help available. Call Dr. Elder for an appointment. His areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.