Many people with migraine notice that changes in the weather and travelling by plane can trigger an attack. This is because rapid changes in air pressure can disturb the electrolyte balance in the brain. As a result, neurons can end up in a state of stress, leading to a migraine attack. This applies both to changes in air pressure caused by the weather and to changes in air pressure caused by flying.
Genetic factors and (chronic) neuroinflammation play an important role here. In people with migraine, neuroinflammation makes the brain more sensitive to stimuli and less able to absorb or compensate for changes in the environment. This is because their internal “thermostat”, the system that keeps the body in balance, works less accurately because of the neuroinflammation.
Normally, the body constantly tries to maintain a stable state, also called “homeostasis”. When a change occurs, such as a swing in air pressure, a hormonal switch or a sudden stress response, the body has to adapt. This is called an “allostatic stimulus”. In people with migraine, this process can be disturbed, because their body has trouble detecting the change (for example because of neuroinflammation) or has trouble getting back into balance quickly and efficiently (for example for genetic reasons).
Changes in air pressure are a good example of such an allostatic stimulus.
When neuroinflammation is present, it is of course important to clear it as a cause. Often, though, neuroinflammation is part of a vicious circle in which it is both the cause and the result of a migraine attack. That is why it is also important during your recovery to avoid as many attacks as you can.
Fortunately, there are ways to prepare better and to minimise the impact of air pressure changes from the weather or flying.
Follow the weather forecast
Use an app such as Migraine Buddy to follow changes in air pressure. Fast and large changes in air pressure in particular matter. If the changes are smaller or slower, they usually have no effect.
Set up a push notification so you get a daily warning when a big change in air pressure is coming.
Prepare or adjust
The change in air pressure affects your electrolyte balance. By anticipating it, you can greatly reduce the chance of a migraine attack.
When the air pressure drops
What happens?
The air pressure drops, which reduces the pressure on your body. Your blood vessels dilate, which can cause a relative shortage of blood volume.
What can you do?
- Take extra salt and water: 1/8 teaspoon in a large glass of water, as soon as you feel a prodrome (the first signs that an attack is coming).
- Hydrate on the go: always carry water and salt so you can step in in time when needed.
- For drops in pressure at night: put a glass of water with salt on your bedside table. If you wake up with prodromal signs, you can step in straight away.
When the air pressure rises
What happens?
The atmosphere presses harder on your body, which narrows your blood vessels. This has a vasoconstrictive effect, so excess fluid has to be removed from your vascular system.
What can you do?
- Take in less salt and water.
- Eat potassium-rich foods, such as avocado, salmon, beef, almonds and pumpkin seeds.
- Start your potassium intake 1 to 2 hours before the pressure rises, because it needs time to be absorbed.
- No time to anticipate? Drink unsweetened coconut water for a quick potassium boost.
- For rises in pressure at night: avoid salt and water before bed. You can put coconut water on your bedside table.
When you travel by plane
Travelling can be extra challenging because of the rapid changes in air pressure in planes and mountainous areas.
Flying and air pressure
- During the flight, cabin pressure drops quickly to a level comparable to an altitude of 1,500 to 2,100 metres.
- What can you do? Drink water with salt before and during take-off and every 2 hours during the flight.
- Cut down on water and salt 2 hours before landing and eat potassium-rich food.
Driving in the mountains
Pressure changes happen more gradually than in a plane, but can still have an impact. So if you are very sensitive, follow the same strategies as for a drop or rise in pressure, depending on whether you are going up or down.
Lost track?
Is the weather so changeable that you no longer know what to do for the best? Then it is always a good idea to simply give yourself a good mix of electrolytes, for example with an alkaline powder (a mix of potassium, sodium bicarbonate and magnesium citrate).
Conclusion
By actively following changes in air pressure and responding to them with electrolytes, you can deal better with weather-related migraine. By planning ahead and giving your body the right support, you may be able to prevent or soften attacks.
It is crucial, however, to clear the cause of your sensitivity. Weather changes are not the cause of your migraine sensitivity, they are only a trigger. We need to tackle migraine mainly at the core.
Want to find out what the driving factors behind your migraine are and how you can reduce your sensitivity to stimuli? Start with the Building Block Analysis.
