Summer Migraines - Who Needs Them?

Hi Teri:

Thank you for all the reminders and ideas.   Wanted to provide some small tips regarding keeping the house cooler, drinking water, and sunglasses.

For those who can't afford to turn the a/c (our city ordinance prevents us from doing so) but need a cool environment to prevent heat triggers, there are many ways to help keep the house cooler.  We have light-blocking shades on our two hottest sides of the house (and blinds behind them), along with trees/plants placed strategically to help cut down on heat/light getting into the home.  Window films can be applied, but they are expensive.  Whole house fans can rapidly cool the house at night by pushing out the hotter "day time" air and sucking in cooler air (wish we had one!).  Room fans and ceiling fans for us are a big help. 

Frequently sipping Ice Water helps. Wearing light-colored looser clothing can help.  Cotton is more comfortable for me, as poly, nylon, silk make me too hot (others might react differently).  I wear "nice" sandals to meetings, etc, because if my feet hot, I get very hot all over.  I can slip sandals on and off under the table and no one knows.  Keeping hair short or "up" off the shoulders can help.  Wearing a cold wet rag over your head (or around your neck) when doing yardwork or exercising can help stay cooler.

My car windows are tinted the darkest allowable by state law.  I have dash-panels to place inside dashboard windows when/if  parked in the sun to keep the car cooler (and keep a window cracked to prevent car from overheating).

For those who don't like water:  a friend of mine who is diabetic, enjoys flavored waters (just make sure the sweeteners used are not a personal trigger).  Make flavored popsickles using low sugar flavored waters so that hydrating feels seems "a treat on a stick".

And as for the sunglasses, if you can't afford expensive ones, there is a brand called Solar Shield sold at Walmart, Longs, and other places that costs under $20 that are polarized, UVA, UVB protected, AND are much more light-blocking due to the fact that they block out side, top and bottom light (not just a flat lens, but a lens "case"). They even fit over/around eyeglasses--totally nifty!  I keep a pair in my car, in the house, and in my purse, and can wear them around the clock during susceptible times (particularly with summer sun glare ro when around bodies of water).

Would love to hear other ideas from anyone highly suspectible to migraines from heat or sun glare.

Stay cool, and hugs,

Clemmie

Having the sun beat on your head can be a migraine trigger!

As I have grown older, it has become more difficult to avoid heat headaches.   I walk every morning with my dog, and start getting headaches when the outside temperature gets above 80 degrees.   I have found that I can avoid the headaches by doing everything possible to stay cool.   I carry a personal mister, and continually spray my face, arms, and neck.  I wear a wet canvas hat.  I carry a water bottle.  But the single most effective thing I do is to wear a wet hand towel around my neck.  When it's really hot, I put the towel over the top of my head, and let it cover every part of my head other than my face.   Since evaporation will lower temperatures by 20-30 degrees, it's like wearing an air conditioner on my head.   When I start off, the towel is dripping wet, and it gets my t-shirt wet, which is fine with me.   I may look silly, but it works!