With the weather cooling down, illnesses such as colds and the flu seem to emerge on a large scale. Can colder weather make you more susceptible to getting migraines? Read on to find out how cold weather impacts migraines and when you should seek medical care at urgent care.

What Causes Migraines?

Migraines are a type of severe headache. They can often be debilitating due to the pain and pressure that they cause. Not everyone is susceptible to getting migraines. Whether you will suffer from migraines throughout your life is largely determined by genetics and your family history. If your parents get migraines regularly, you unfortunately are likely to also suffer from them at some point during your life. Although doctors have some understanding of migraines, many questions surrounding their cause remain unanswered by medical professionals.

Migraine symptoms can vary from person to person. Some common migraine symptoms may include:

• Severe headache
• Pain on one side of the head
• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light and sounds

Migraines can cause symptoms very similar to a headache, but are often described as much more intense. If you are experiencing severe pain, it is important to seek medical attention quickly for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Can Cold Weather Cause a Migraine?

Although migraines can be onset by a variety of factors, they can also randomly occur without any specific environmental irritant. However, the colder seasons have been noted to be a time when most migraine sufferers see the most migraine headaches during the year. One reason this is thought to occur is because of the change in barometric pressure in the atmosphere. This is often a cause of ear and head pain, and has been known to trigger migraine headaches.

An increase in dry cold air can also inflame the sinuses, which can also lead to headaches and worsen migraines. Similarly, the change in hormones as less sunlight is seen and the weather becomes colder during the winter months has been associated with an increase in migraine headaches in those who already suffer from migraines.

Does a Migraine Require Medical Care at Urgent Care?

Migraine symptoms can last anywhere from hours to days with no relief. It can impact your sleep and your day to day life. There are multiple different prescription medications available to help aid with migraine symptoms and reduce their frequency. The best way to mitigate migraine symptoms is to seek diagnosis from a medical professional to find the best care plan for your symptoms.

Oftentimes, lifestyle changes such as changing your sleep schedule, increasing physical activity and diet changes can help keep hormone levels in balance and potentially help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Your medical provider will be able to suggest the best care plan for your symptoms after a physical exam.

Get General Illness Diagnosis & Treatment at AFC Urgent Care Aurora Saddle Rock

If you’re someone who suffers from migraines and you live near Aurora, Wellesley, Weston or one of the surrounding communities, our experienced medical team can evaluate your symptoms and suggest a care plan to help you manage your symptoms. Or, if you’re experiencing some of the mentioned symptoms but aren’t sure whether you’re suffering from a migraine or another illness, seek professional medical care today for a diagnosis and treatment plan. If you’re unsure whether your symptoms require medical care, call today to speak to one of our medical professionals at (303) 529-3300.

At AFC Urgent Care Saddle Rock, we want quality medical care to be accessible to every patient. That’s why we accept most insurance plans and offer a discounted self payment option for patients paying out of pocket for their medical care. Visit our services page on our website to learn more about the illnesses and conditions we treat. Walk in today for medical care you can count on.