Headaches are common, but new research has shown they can have significant consequences for some people.

How many headaches do you experience during the week? No, you're not alone because headaches are frequent, and there are many causes for them, most causes being benign.

There are around 45 million people in the United States who report having headaches on an annual basis, which is equivalent to one in six people. Recurrent headaches are one of the most frequent illnesses that affect the nervous system. Regular sufferers of headaches or migraines are likely familiar with the various factors that can bring on their headaches.

The most common factors may include alcohol consumption, increased stress, or alterations in sleep quality. Many who suffer from headaches might not be aware that climate change can affect them. How can climate change increase people's propensity to have headaches?

In the past, people with respiratory issues or allergies were told to move to the western US for better air quality and fewer problems with pollen compared to the East Coast. One problem there was once the people moved to the West Coast, they began to plant the trees that they had come to love on the East Coast, bringing the pollen into this new area. Therefore, the move solved nothing because people brought the problem with them.

Environmental change brings hurricanes and other heavy rainstorms that are more likely to cause flooding. This makes it more likely for storage facilities containing chemicals and dangerous materials to get damaged, potentially causing spills and leaks that pollute the air, water, and soil.

Besides the harmful chemicals, climate change can also affect our health, production, and the environment we rely on. Certainly, roadways will be washed out, dams will overflow, and roofs will come off houses. Due to the higher temperature, we'll have to make adjustments to our work, how we commute, and home cooling systems. All of this raises stress related to financial issues of concern for both consumers and governments. The latter may even need to consider raising taxes, which brings on another headache–producing issue. So, headaches are part of environmental and climate change just as work stress can be.

Most of us will have headaches that are not disabling, and they come in response to specific stressors that of which we are aware. But some of us, even elite persons in professional sports, have migraine headaches, and that is an issue that needs to be specifically addressed, usually by a healthcare person.

Tension headaches happen more often than migraines, but migraines are generally a lot worse. Women get migraines two to three times more often than men, but that does not help much if you are one of the few guys who actually gets migraines. A Harvard study of 20,084 men aged 40 to 84 found that having migraines increases the risk of heart attacks by 42%. Men who get migraines should pay attention to their headaches.

Most neurologists think that headaches are caused by changes in nerve cells and blood flow in the brain. Seventy percent of people who get migraines have at least one close cousin who also gets migraines.

What About Migraine Headaches?

Most headaches happen without an aura first. Most of the time, the pain is on one side of the head, starting around the eye or temple and moving to the back of the head.

People often say the pain is very bad and feels burning or pulsing. Many people who get migraines feel sick, and many have watery eyes, a running nose, or congestion. If these symptoms are strong, they could lead to the wrong diagnosis of sinus headaches. The word “pound” can help you remember what a migraine feels like:

P stands for pain that pulses
O for one day of serious attacks that are not treated
U for pain on one side

N for nausea and vomiting

D for pain that is so bad it makes you unable to do anything

Migraine headaches can be so severe and debilitating that they bring on both depression and a sense of hopelessness. In a study, 64,057 people were found to have migraines, 40,160 had tension-type headaches (TTH), 5,743 had a different type of headache, and 4,253 had post-traumatic headaches. There was a strong link between all of the headache conditions and both attempted and successful suicide. Those with migraine headaches could benefit from seeing a psychiatrist for additional evaluation and treatment.

Simple Prevention

Suppose you don't have migraine headaches, but you want to have some idea of how you might handle any headaches you get or avoid headaches. What can you do?

When you are having a busy day, you may see a headache as nothing more than a simple speed bump. Still, most people can ease the problem with:

simple changes to their lifestyle

over-the-counter medicines

biofeedback

yoga

acupuncture

relaxation methods such as relaxation breathing.

For some of us, though, headaches are a big deal. Learn to spot the danger signs that you need to see a doctor immediately. A severe headache that is prolonged for a day can be a sign that a stroke could be imminent, and it's not a simple migraine headache. Don't dismiss it.

If you or anyone else feels suicidal, please call 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to their website: https://988lifeline.org/.

“The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.”