The UK is set to get a bit of much-needed rain this week.
After drought was declared in various spots across England and Wales, the Met Office has forecast showers and storms across the UK today.
Showers are set to cover Northern Ireland, most of Scotland and North West England. Additionally, yellow thunder warnings are in place today for Northern Ireland and North East Scotland. It’s looking likely that South East England will remain largely dry and muggy though, although much more overcast than it has been.
If you’ve noticed that as the weather has shifted, you’ve been getting more headaches, there might be a relatively simple explanation.
For some people, thunderstorms, pressure changes and high humidity can cause a different kind of discomfort – a headache that can feel like a tension headache, sinus headache, or, in more severe cases, even migraines.
Why does the change in weather cause headaches?
During a thunderstorm, cold and warm air collide, creating an extreme difference in air pressure. This is what creates the storm itself.
Headaches occur when the air pressure changes affect the small, confined, air-filled systems in our body such as those in the ears or sinuses.
The atmospheric changes brought on by a storm can create an imbalance in the pressure within sinus cavities and the structures and chambers of the inner ear which result in sinus pain and headaches.
According to a study published in Scientific American, these headaches are more likely if temperatures are high and the risk of headache increases by an average of 6% with every 5mm drop in barometric pressure that occurs.
Almost three-quarters (73%) of frequent headache sufferers cite weather and air pressure changes as one of the main causes of their headaches and migraines, according to a survey by the National Headache Foundation.
The NHS states that while there isn’t a lot you can do about weather changes, keeping an eye on the Met Office website for changes that might cause headaches means you can predict when you’ll have a headache – and ensure you have painkillers to hand for when you might need them.
