Women at higher risk of summer migraines, warn Hyderabad doctors; call for preventive measures

Hyderabad: Women face multiple health challenges, which intensify during the summer season. Migraine, a neurological disorder affecting predominantly female patients, shows concerning seasonal patterns posing a challenge for the healthcare system and the experts.

Women are more prone to migraine attacks than men, with some researchers finding the ratio to be 2:1. Further, migraine is even considered a global health concern, with more than 20 per cent of the adult population getting affected for 15 days or more in a month.

Considering the Indian scenario, around 60 per cent of those affected by migraine are women, which affects their daily life and overall health of the individual.

Hormonal fluctuations affect women

Women bear a disproportionate burden of migraine, with hormonal fluctuations playing a significant role in their experience. As per recent studies, approximately 60-70 per cent of women with migraines report a connection between their headaches and menstrual cycles, with attacks frequently occurring just before or during menstruation.

Dr Chalmeda Niveditha, diabetologist at Birth Right by Rainbow Hospitals, Hyderabad, said, “Migraine is far more than just a headache. It’s a complex condition characterised by recurrent episodes of often one-sided headache, sometimes accompanied by visual or sensory disturbances known as auras, which typically precede the pain but can also occur during or after an attack.”

Oestrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause can trigger migraine attacks. Birth control and hormone therapy can either improve or worsen symptoms, depending on the individual and specific hormonal formulations used.

Migraine during summer

The challenge of women suffering from migraine increases drastically during the summer. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and high temperatures triggers attacks, making outdoor activities particularly problematic during warmer months. Dehydration, a frequent occurrence during hot weather, further increases migraine risk.

“Migraines in women can become more frequent or intense during the summer due to several common triggers including heat and sunlight, low consumption of water, change in sleep schedule and food habits,” Dr Chalmeda Niveditha said.

Prolonged exposure to sunlight and high temperatures, and even erratic food habits, particularly during summer, can also trigger migraine attacks.

Recognising the symptoms

A common migraine attack begins as a pulsating headache with moderate to severe pain that intensifies with increased physical activity. The pain is felt on one side of the head and around the eyes, and later builds up and spreads over an hour or two.

Attacks can last anywhere from four to 72 hours, accompanied by nausea, vomiting and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. For some individuals, migraine auras develop over 5-20 minutes and last less than an hour, either with or without a headache phase, or occasionally occur independently.

Migraine during pregnancy

Most of the women suffering from migraine attacks won’t have such experiences during their pregnancy.

Dr Chalmeda Niveditha said, “Many women experience fewer migraine attacks during pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters, however, symptoms might remain unchanged or worsen during the first trimester due to hormonal shifts or pregnancy-related dehydration from morning sickness.”

Countering migraine in summer and treatments

The experts suggest that those prone to migraine attacks, particularly during summer, stay hydrated, wear sunglasses and wide hats, stay indoors during peak temperature hours and ensure a regular sleep cycle.

“Those suffering from migraine should make note of the triggers and avoid them, undergo physical workouts, follow a healthy lifestyle and take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) after consulting a doctor. These steps are essential to counter migraine attacks,” Dr Chalmeda Niveditha said.