Many people experience headaches in cold weather. This phenomenon has a physiological basis. Understanding the reasons can help manage and prevent them.
How Cold Weather Can Cause Headaches
Cold temperatures trigger headaches through several mechanisms. One factor is vasoconstriction, where blood vessels in the head and sinuses narrow. This narrowing can reduce blood flow and lead to pain, contributing to a tension headache.
Cold, dry air can also irritate the nasal passages and sinuses, leading to inflammation and congestion. This irritation can result in a sinus headache, as the mucous membranes in the nose dry out when humidity is low, impairing proper sinus drainage. The excessive mucus produced can also obstruct the sinuses, potentially trapping bacteria and leading to infection.
Shivering or tensing muscles in the neck and shoulders as a reaction to cold can contribute to tension headaches. The body’s attempt to generate warmth through muscle contraction can create sustained muscle tension, which then manifests as head pain. Dehydration can also play a role, as people may drink less water in colder weather, which can exacerbate headaches.
Sudden drops in temperature are often accompanied by changes in atmospheric, or barometric, pressure. These pressure fluctuations can affect the air-filled spaces within the body, such as the sinuses and inner ears, creating an imbalance that leads to pain. Even small changes in barometric pressure, as little as 5 hectopascals (hPa), have been linked to triggering headaches.
Preventing Cold-Induced Headaches
Proactive steps can help prevent cold-induced headaches. Dressing warmly is a primary defense, especially covering the head, ears, and neck, which are sensitive to cold. Wearing thick hats, scarves, face masks, and earmuffs can provide effective protection.
Maintaining adequate hydration is important, even in cold environments where thirst may be less pronounced. Drinking enough fluids helps prevent dehydration, which can worsen tension headaches. Breathing through your nose rather than your mouth can help warm and humidify the air before it reaches the sinuses and lungs, reducing irritation.
Using humidifiers indoors can counteract the drying effects of heated indoor air, helping to keep nasal passages moist. Ideally, indoor humidity levels should be maintained between 30% and 50%. Gradually adjusting to cold temperatures when transitioning from a warm indoor environment to the outdoors can help your body adapt more smoothly. Limiting prolonged exposure to extreme cold can also reduce the likelihood of developing a headache.
When to Consult a Doctor About Headaches
While cold-induced headaches are often manageable, certain headache characteristics warrant medical attention. A sudden, new, and severe headache, particularly one that reaches its most intense pain within a minute, known as a thunderclap headache, requires immediate medical evaluation. Such headaches can signal a serious underlying condition, including a brain bleed or a sudden, severe rise in blood pressure.
Medical consultation is also advisable if headaches occur with other concerning symptoms, such as fever, a stiff neck, confusion, vision changes, weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking. Headaches after a head injury or accident should also be promptly assessed. If headaches progressively worsen, do not respond to typical pain relievers, or if there’s a significant change in your usual headache pattern, consult a doctor.