Headache myths: the truth about gender, weather and prevention

Headaches affect almost everyone. With their widespread prevalence comes a remarkable array of myths surrounding their causes. Let’s delve into some “classic” headache myths and see if there’s any truth in them.

Myth # 1: Women have headaches more often

• Partly true

Most types of headache are equally common in men and women. There’s a noticeable gender difference with migraines, which are indeed more common in women. Statistics show a female-to-male ratio of about 3 to 1.

The reasons for this gender gap have long been the subject of heated debate in headache research. They are likely diverse, but what is certain is that it will take dedicated research across many fields to fully understand.  A question currently receiving increased attention from researchers is the role of sex hormones in the onset of migraine attacks. Sex hormones could potentially influence both the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, thus contributing to the uneven distribution of migraine burden between genders. However, researchers in all studies explicitly emphasize the complexity of the question regarding the role of sex hormones and point out that there could be many other factors contributing to the migraine gender gap.

This article explores migraine and the menstrual cycle.

Myth # 2: weather triggers headaches

• Uncertain; controversial

Blame it on the wind coming down from the mountains – or could it be an approaching storm, a low-pressure system, or humidity? Many sufferers associate their headaches with the weather. But upon closer examination, it’s evident that no clear link between the weather and headaches has been established to date. Although countless records of patients have been compared with weather data in numerous scientific studies, conclusive evidence for the “headache-inducing” effect of specific weather conditions has yet to be found. Why are sufferers still convinced the weather has something to do with their headaches? The question is still open. "There are people who experience such symptoms in certain weather conditions," confirm some environmental medicine specialists.

The only thing that can be cautiously inferred from the many research papers is that there might be an influence when certain weather features change very abruptly. For instance, some studies have noted a slight increase in headache attacks following or during a sharp drop in air pressure. A significant change in humidity could also be a factor. The stronger and faster the shift, the more it might prompt a headache. Conversely, this implies that stable weather – no matter what kind – probably doesn’t bring on a headache.

Observations suggest that many people’s bodies struggle with weather changes, which might increase their chance of having a headache. The authors of such studies emphasize that it is very difficult to come up with a conclusive hypothesis about which mechanisms might be responsible for a potential connection based on these observed correlations.

To learn more about the topic of weather and headaches and the complex study situation, click here and here.

Myth # 3: There's nothing you can do about headaches

• False

Many people feel utterly at the mercy of their headaches. The next attack seems inevitable, whatever you do or don’t do. All you can do is wait helplessly for the pain to strike again. However, for the three most common types of headaches - tension-type headache, migraine, and medication-overuse headache - certain preventive measures can be very effective, as studies show beyond doubt.

Different factors are responsible for the onset of attacks depending on the type of headache. The prevention measures also differ accordingly. For sufferers, it’s therefore crucial to first get the right diagnosis. Once you understand your headaches and the basic mechanisms behind them, you may be able to achieve lasting improvements by modifying your lifestyle.

Extensive research has been conducted over the years on the exact causes of tension-type headache, migraine and medication-overuse headache, and there is robust real-world evidence for effective prevention. Some approaches include sticking to a consistent daily routine, regular mealtimes, a healthy diet, staying hydrated, getting restful sleep, enough exercise, reducing stress, and practicing effective relaxation techniques – each with varying importance for tension-type headaches, migraines, and medication-overuse headaches.

However, since individual factors also play a role in causing headaches alongside general mechanisms, it’s important to understand your personal headache history. Identifying your personal triggers can help you prevent headaches more effectively. Keeping a headache diary, perhaps using an app, can help show associations between certain activities or behaviors and your headaches. By keeping track of your daily activities and headache attacks over a certain period, you can identify patterns and adjust your behavior preventively.

At the same time, it’s important not to blame yourself for your headaches. While noticeable improvements can be achieved through lifestyle changes, it takes a lot of focus, mindfulness, and time to understand your headaches and change your behavior. For the most severely affected, prevention alone is not enough. Close medical supervision and additional measures are required. Give headache prevention your best shot, but be kind to yourself if it doesn’t work right away or every time.