AARP Hearing Center
Megan Mulholland
Some people know a storm is coming by darkening skies or increasing wind. Others feel it in their heads.
Changes in air pressure — which can occur when temperatures swing or a thunderstorm rolls in — can trigger mild to severe headaches, known as barometric pressure headaches, in some people.
More Ways to Benefit
- Related Benefit 1
- Related Benefit 2
- Related Benefit 3
- Related Benefit 4
- Related Benefit 5
These headaches are surprisingly common. Studies have shown that up to 15 percent of the population may experience headaches triggered by barometric pressure (also called air pressure or atmospheric pressure), says Dr. Ashley Holdridge, a neurologist at Aurora Health Care in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. “Certain body cavities, such as the sinuses and inner ear, are susceptible to pressure changes,” Holdridge explains, and these pressure changes can disrupt fluid balances, causing your head to hurt.
And research suggests that people who suffer from migraines may be more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure, which can trigger attacks. “For people prone to headaches, especially those who experience migraine, these changes can lower the brain’s ‘threshold’ for an attack,” says Dr. MaryAnn Mays, a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic. “When the brain’s ‘threshold’ is lower, headaches are more likely to occur. The weather itself doesn’t directly cause headaches, but it can act as a trigger in susceptible individuals.”
Common symptoms of barometric pressure headaches
Barometric pressure headaches can feel a lot like a migraine, “where people will have throbbing headaches or pulsatile headaches that worsen with exercise and activity,” says Dr. Narayan R. Kissoon, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic.
Mays says other symptoms of barometric pressure headaches can include:
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Pressure or fullness in the face or ears
- Pain behind the eyes
Because barometric pressure headaches can feel so much like migraines, Mays says the timing of symptoms can be an important clue. She says it’s important to track your symptoms and note any common patterns or triggers, such as the onset or increase of headaches that coincide with storms or seasonal transitions.
How older adults are affected
While research shows that migraine-type headaches can be more common in younger adults, midlife and older adults are not immune.
“People in their 40s, 50s, 60s can have a new onset of migraines at that time or a distinct change in their migraines,” says Kissoon, who adds that people 40-plus are among his most common patients with difficult-to-treat headaches.
Older adults also may have other health issues that can trigger headaches or make symptoms worse, such as high blood pressure and sleep apnea, Mays says. What’s more, existing health issues, like cardiovascular disease or conditions affecting liver and kidney function, may rule out certain medications commonly used to treat headaches.
Kissoon says women 50-plus may be particularly susceptible to migraines because of hormone fluctuations during the perimenopausal and menopausal stages, which can span several years.
Treating barometric pressure headaches
The good news for people living with barometric pressure headaches — or almost any kind of headache — is that treatment options are available.
For many, over-the-counter pain relievers can help take the edge off a mild headache. And people diagnosed with migraines may be prescribed other pain medications or preventive therapies — such as triptans or even Botox — for relief.
However, there are a few instances when headaches warrant immediate medical attention.
You should see a doctor if you have a sudden and significant headache with no history of severe headaches. This is especially true if the headache is accompanied by other neurological symptoms, like weakness on one side of the body.
A “thunderclap” headache — an excruciating headache that peaks in intensity within a minute and can last anywhere from a few minutes to days — warrants immediate medical attention, especially if accompanied by vision changes, weakness, confusion, speech difficulty or fever with neck stiffness.
In nonurgent situations, you should consult your doctor if you are experiencing headaches that are frequent or disrupt your quality of life. Some questions you can ask your doctor, Mays says, include:
- What type of headache do I have?
- Do I need any tests?
- Am I overusing pain medications?
- Should I be on preventive treatment?
- Could my other medications or health conditions be affecting my headaches?
- What lifestyle changes might help?
- When should I be concerned and seek care again?
Keeping a headache diary and bringing it with you to your appointment may help your doctor identify triggers or patterns.
Preventing weather-related headaches
While there’s no surefire way to prevent all headaches, doctors say certain habits — like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and reducing environmental triggers — may help decrease the likelihood or frequency of headaches. Doctors may also recommend daily preventive medications (such as beta-blockers) for people who get headaches often.
If you know pressure changes are a trigger for you, keep an eye on the forecast and take preventive steps before symptoms start.
“Focusing on basic headache hygiene is key if a storm or change in pressure is imminent,” Holdridge says. “Simple measures such as keeping a consistent bedtime, avoiding certain foods or scent triggers, minimizing stress, getting adequate sleep and ensuring adequate hydration all can potentially help mitigate headache symptoms triggered by weather changes.”
AARP Membership
Join AARP for only $15 per year with automatic renewal. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of benefits, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine.
More From AARP
Humidity Makes Heat Harder on Aging Bodies
Moist air blocks the ability to cool while raising dehydration and heart risks.
How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Health
Smoke exposure can harm the lungs, heart and brain and worsen chronic conditions
Could Stimulating One Nerve Stop What Ails You?
The vagus nerve plays a key role in how the body functions. Here’s how to activate it