Lightning Triggers Onset of Migraines and Headaches

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University Of Cincinnati states that lightning triggers the onset of headaches and migraines.

This is the first study conducted that links lightning with headaches, and helps chronic sufferers to foresee the onset of headaches and migraines. One can begin with preventive measures immediately.

The study was conducted on 90 migraine sufferers who fulfilled the criteria for International Headache Society-defined migraines. They were recruited from areas in Ohio and Missouri. They were asked to record their headache activity with details such as severity and duration of pain, in a daily journal for three to six months. Of the participants, 91 percent were females who belonged to the average age of 44.

The data of lightning strikes in these areas was recorded, along with the magnitude and polarity of lightning current. This data was compared to the journal information of the participants.

The researchers noticed that when lightning occurred within 25 miles of the participants' homes, there was a 31 percent increased risk of headache and 28 percent increased risk of migraine for chronic headache sufferers.

They saw a 24 percent increase in new onset headache and 23 percent increase in migraine among participants.

"Many studies show conflicting findings on how weather, including elements like barometric pressure and humidity, affect the onset of headaches," Geoffrey Martin, fourth-year medical student at UC, said in a news statement. "However, this study very clearly shows a correlation between lightning, associated meteorological factors and headaches."

In order to check whether lightning was the major reason for the increased occurrence of headaches or whether the other weather factors that come along with thunderstorms were the reason, the researchers used certain mathematical models to analyze this occurrence.

From the data received, they noticed that when lightning occurred, there was a 19 percent increased risk for headaches, clearly indicating that lightning has its own unique effect on headaches.

According to the researchers, the negatively charged lightning currents trigger higher chances of headaches.

"There are a number of ways in which lightning might trigger headaches," Geoffrey's father Vincent Martin, UC Health physician and headache expert said. "Electromagnetic waves emitted from lightning could trigger headaches. In addition, lightning produces increases in air pollutants like ozone and can cause release of fungal spores that might lead to migraine."

What remains a mystery is how headache is caused by lightning; the mechanism behind this is unknown. Further studies are required to understand the role of lightning and thunderstorms on headache.

The details of the study are published in the online edition of the journal Cephalalgia.