Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

What Works Against Weather-Induced Headaches?

Q. I get caffeine withdrawal headaches and treat them with a cup of coffee. The severe headaches I get from the weather are more difficult to treat. They occur when it is about to rain.

Why does this happen? Should I watch the weather reports and drink coffee to prevent them? I am frustrated!

A. A drop in barometric pressure can trigger migraines in some people (Internal Medicine [Tokyo, Japan], 2011). Prevention may indeed be worthwhile, but the best approach may vary. We are sending you our Guide to Headaches & Migraines for details on the pros and cons of many treatments and remedies. some people find that inducing a “brain freeze” headache with ice cream or an iced beverage right at the onset of a migraine can keep it from developing. We don’t know if this strategy would work for you.

Caffeine withdrawal headaches can certainly be excruciating. One clue that caffeine withdrawal is the problem is that the headaches occur on weekends and holidays, when the sufferer is not consuming their usual “get-to-work” coffee.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
3.4- 32 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.