The journal Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology, published a study on March 10, 2009, showing that heat and low air pressure increase the risk of headaches. Air pollution, however, did not have a significant effect on headaches. The study examined over 7,000 people who suffered from headaches and presented to an emergency room for headaches over a seven-year period. Researchers analyzed weather conditions such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, and air pollution, as well as other weather factors, for three days prior to each emergency room visit.

The study results, like previous studies, confirm that higher temperatures and lower air pressure can increase the likelihood of headache attacks, while increased air pollution showed no clear correlation with headache triggers. Interestingly, the temperature perceived by patients was not the determining factor; rather, it was the temperature recorded by measuring devices in the region that played a role. Overall, the study results corroborate many personal observations made by migraine sufferers regarding the potential triggering of headaches in connection with certain weather conditions. Another large study from Canada yielded similar results. A sudden 5°C increase in air temperature and a drop in air pressure were identified as significant triggers for headaches.

Professor Göbel comments on the results: The study clearly indicates that environmental factors can be partly responsible for triggering headaches. Especially during corresponding weather changes, it is important that migraine sufferers carefully adhere to certain behavioral guidelines. These include a regular daily routine, eating meals at fixed times, taking regular breaks, drinking enough fluids, and making time for relaxation.