The relationship between exposure to hot/cold weather and the clinical features of headaches in patients with migraine and tension-type headaches

ABSTRACT

Background and purpose: This study investigates the relationship between exposure to hot/cold weather and the characteristic clinical features of headaches in patients with migraine and tension-type headaches.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the participation of 190 patients with migraine, and 140 patients with tension-type headaches. The patients were evaluated using a form that collected data on their sociodemographic profile, the clinical features of their headaches, any accompanying symptoms and their relationships with changes in the weather (hot/cold). The headaches of all the participants in the study were thought to be triggered by exposure to hot/cold weather.

Results: In the patients with migraine, the exposure to hot/cold weather as a trigger was not found to have a significant relationship with age, body mass index or the characteristic clinical features of headaches (p > 0.05). In patients with tension-type headaches, exposure to hot/cold weather as a trigger was found to have a significant relationship with body mass index (p = 0.019), but not with age or the characteristic clinical features of headaches (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: In obese patients with tension-type headache, it was found that hot weather triggered headache more than cold weather. In patients with migraine and tension-type headaches, no relationship was found between exposure to hot/cold weather as a trigger and the clinical features of headaches. The accurate identification of the factors precipitating headaches by both clinicians and patients can help lower the frequency of headaches.

KEYWORDS:

• Migraine
• tension type headache
• exposure to hot/cold weather
• body mass index

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nermin Tanik

Nermin Tanik is an association professor in Department of Neurology at Yozgat Bozok University. Her research focused on headache and smell. Tanik has published articles in leading journals.

Hikmet Saçmaci

Hikmet Saçmaci is an assistant professor in Neurology department, at Yozgat Bozok University. Her researches have mainly focused on migraine, primary headaches, neurophsiology and multiple sclerosis. In addition to these Saçmaci has published articles in few journals.

Tülin Aktürk

Tülin Aktürk is an assistant professor in Neurology department, at Yozgat Bozok University. Her researches have mainly focused on migraine, primary headaches, cognition and neurotoxicity. In addition to these Akturk has published articles in few journals.