Excitement is in the air when summer turns to fall. But the happy, seasonal change brings much more than vibrant colors, crisp air and football. For the nearly 30 million Americans suffering from migraines, fall can also signal the arrival of many new migraine triggers.
From changes in barometric pressure to seasonal allergies, the list of potential fall migraine triggers is nearly endless. But with the right coping methods, it’s possible to control your pain and enjoy a more active, healthy autumn.
Manage Your Triggers
Though you might not know the root cause of your migraines, finding out what triggers your pain can help you manage the problem. Consider the following possibilities:
1. Allergies: Jason Gruss, MD, director of First Health Associates’ department of physical medicine in Arlington, Ill., says ragweed pollen and mold tend to be highest in the fall. “Allergies to pollen or mold can trigger inflammatory reactions in the sinuses that can cause sinus headaches or migraines,” he says. “Allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma have both been linked to migraine.”
How to cope: “Some people mistakenly think [allergies] play a bigger role than they do,” says Audrey Halpern, MD, clinical assistant professor of neurology at the New York University School of Medicine and director of the Manhattan Center for Headache and Neurology in New York City. “Headaches, in people with allergies, may in fact be due to migraines. If allergy medications don’t work, go to a headache specialist to see if it’s caused by migraines.”
2. Changes in environment: As families close the windows and turn on their furnaces, indoor allergens rise, Dr. Gruss says. Additionally, weather changes and barometric pressure can trigger migraines.
How to cope: “Have ductwork and furnaces cleaned each season before starting their use, as this can ease the initial few days of symptoms,” he says. “Consider using air filters, watch weather reports and prepare with rescue medications on days when the weather changes.”
3. Lifestyle changes: Fall brings the beginning of a new school year and a host of other seasonal responsibilities, which can cause a great deal of stress. Suddenly everyone is hit with meetings, after-school activities and inclement weather—not to mention the approaching holiday season filled with family, travel and planning.
How to cope: “Pay attention to new stressors,” Dr. Halpern says. “Make sure you track your sleep and go to bed at [the] same time each night—this is called ‘good sleep hygiene.’” In addition, diet is very important. Carry a snack, stay hydrated and try to avoid missing meals, she says.
Overall, you can modify your behaviors to reduce your risk of getting migraines—Dr. Halpern calls this “trigger avoidance.” “If long hours at work trigger your migraines, avoid adding another one of your triggers, such as drinking red wine or eating foods with MSG, to your long workday,” she says.
Dr. Gruss adds that exercise and relaxation can reduce seasonal sensitivities as well.
Talk to Your Doctor
“My biggest fear is the patients who know that the migraines are ‘normal’ or ‘seasonal,’ but they have an underlying pathology that goes undiagnosed,” Dr. Gruss says. “Patients [who] ignore potentially serious medical conditions are always the biggest concern for doctors.”
One of the best ways to pinpoint your triggers is by keeping a migraine calendar, or journal. This will also help your physicians better understand your individual migraine history.
“If you’re getting frequent migraines, talk to you doctor,” Dr. Halpern says. “Maybe you need to be on medicines and treatments for issues other than the common migraine triggers.”
