Study Links Hot Weather to Increased Headaches for People with Migraine

In a study presented at the American Headache Society's 66th annual scientific meeting, scientists have found a link between increased headaches and hot temperatures for individuals with migraines, saying that as temperatures rise, so do chances for migraine attacks.

Weather change is one of the most common trigger factors for migraine. Hot temperatures can trigger headaches in people with migraines by causing dehydration, which reduces blood flow to the brain and triggers pain. Additionally, heat can increase physical stress and discomfort, leading to heightened sensitivity in those prone to migraines. The body's response to high temperatures, such as dilated blood vessels and changes in pressure, can also contribute to the onset of migraine headaches.

The study looked at the use of the Fremanezumab drug and whether it could prevent headaches caused by high temperatures.

Fremanezumab, a monoclonal antibody, can help people with weather-triggered headaches by targeting and inhibiting the activity of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein involved in the transmission of migraine pain. By blocking CGRP, it reduces the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, providing relief for those whose headaches are triggered by changes in weather. This preventive treatment can help stabilize the neurological response to environmental factors, such as hot temperatures, and offer significant improvement in the quality of life for migraine sufferers.

Researchers analyzed 71,030 daily diary records of 660 migraine patients with regional weather data and found that for every temperature increase of 0.12 degrees Celsius, there was a 6 percent increase in the occurrence of any headache. However, during the periods of Fremanezumab treatment, the association completely disappeared.

If the results are confirmed by future studies, the drug therapy has the potential to help many people with weather-triggered migraine.

"This study is the first to suggest that migraine-specific therapies that block Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) may treat weather-associated headaches," said Fred Cohen, the study’s co-author.

Reference: American Headache Society 66th Annual Scientific Meeting June 13–16, 2024 San Diego, California https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14716