Getting overheated, even if not in the sun, is a trigger for me as well as sun and dehydration. On hot days my best friend is the hose. When I feel my core body temp overheating I turn the hose on my head, legs or arms until I feel better. Sure, some days I'm damp a lot but it allows me freedom from sitting in the house all summer. My quilt room only has a evaporative cooler that tries its best but when it's 105 out it's pretty warm in. Drinking a lot of water is a must also.
Most of the country has heard about the horrible historic dust-storm or "haboob" that hit the Phoenix area where I live. I usually start seeing "aura" several hours before a monsoon storm and the thing is - I have to take it seriously and use the aura as an early warning system. I try never to wait until the storm is upon us because then it is too late. Some imitrex and pain medication if I need it and a muscle relaxer can get me to ride out the storm so to speak and so far my aura has been more acurate than the weather channel. So what I say is - listen to your body before summer storms - there is also medication that you can take for extreme changes in barometric pressure if you feel them coming but that's key- you've got to listen to your body! All the best from hot and dusty migraineville AZ -
When living in the South, I noticed that the white sand beaches increased the probability and severity of my migraines 100%. Not even sunglasses helped. I just had to forego going to the beach. This summer I have a white patio table and have had to cover it for the same reason. The glare triggers a migraine in a very short time.
I get a lot of weather related migraines that I have no idea how to avoid or prepare for. When it turns really hot and humid after a mild day prior I get one. When thunderstorms roll in I get really horrible ones=sometimes I will get a warning when a storm front is brewing and I can take my abortive when I start feeling one coming on. Sometimes tho in the middle of the night when your trying to sleep and wake up with a doozie it's too late for the abortive meds. And the bright sunlight is a major factor-it's better for me when it's overcast. I've tried so many different pairs of sunglasses-just cannot find any dark enough for me to block out the bright rays. Gets pretty depressing.
I've always been super light and sun sensitive (Thank you pale eyes and Irish skin). Chronic migraines just made it worse. Sun and heat are huge migraine triggers for me, so I do anything I need to do outside, like errands and such, before 10 am or after 6pm. Even that isn't fool proof, as I found out on Saturday. If it's over 90, I don't go outside unless it's absolutely necessary.
When I do go outside, I have a hat, ox blood red sunglasses from my optometrist, and sometimes a parasol. Yup, I'm rocking the parasol. The hat makes my head too hot sometimes, so I just use an umbrella for the most shade.
I drink lots of water before I go out, while I'm out, and when I get home. I keep my trips outside as short as possible.
Thunderstorms, however, I've got nothing. Most of the time I want to hide under the bed with the cats. On the upside, I haven't been caught in the rain since I started getting chronic migraines. I know it will rain anywhere from 20 minutes to 8 hours in advance!
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Well, I wish I had advise to avoid them, but they seem sneakier for me in the summer. :(
I was recently sick for 3 days...I thought...with the stomach flu. But I had nausea and horrible headache. Finally, when I was feeling better, I got one of my extreme and sudden dizzy spells which is a form of aura for me. Migrainal to the rescue. I think the bright sun from the weekend before my sick episode is the problem! I am a horse trainer, and was at an event. white sand arena and bright sun all weekend, and I did not wear sun glasses when I rode, but during all of my auditing of rides I did. Guess I have to keep them on!