Migraines may be linked to climate change, experts say

Researchers and clinicians report that climate-related conditions — such as higher temperatures, larger temperature swings, poorer air quality and changes in barometric pressure — are being linked to more frequent and severe migraine attacks; about 10 million people in the UK have migraines and hospital admissions for migraine in England rose roughly 20% over five years.

Climate change is being reported as a factor that could be contributing to increases in migraine frequency and severity, according to experts and recent studies. Migraines affect an estimated 10 million people in the UK and are a common cause of disability among working-age adults. Hospital admissions for migraine in England have risen by about 20% over the past five years, with roughly 40,000 admissions in the past 12 months. Researchers point to environmental changes and associated psychological stress as possible drivers of the trend. Key points: - Experts identify higher temperatures, greater temperature swings, worsening air quality and changes in barometric pressure as environmental conditions already known to trigger migraines. - A study presented at a professional meeting reported a roughly 6% increase in headaches on days with a 1.2°C rise in outdoor temperature, and other studies have linked humidity, rainfall and extreme temperatures to more headaches. - UK figures cited include an estimated 10 million people with migraine and about 40,000 hospital admissions in the past year, a reported 20% rise over five years. - Specialists emphasize that current evidence is correlational and does not establish a direct cause-and-effect link, though research on the topic is expanding. Summary: The reporting suggests climate-linked environmental changes and related stress may help explain rising migraine rates and increased hospital use. Research is growing, with diary analyses and large population studies adding evidence, but the relationship remains correlational and does not prove causation. Undetermined at this time.