Under pressure: Does the weather give you a headache?

Is the weather giving you a headache? If so, you aren't alone.

Forecasting the weather can cause all kinds of headaches, but how about the weather itself? If you suffer from what seems like a random onset of headaches, it could be down to a change in the weather.

According to the NHS, "Pressure changes that cause weather changes are thought to trigger chemical and electrical changes in the brain. This irritates nerves, leading to a headache."

This is because the air around you has a weight. In a high pressure system, air is more dense and sinks. As a result, higher pressure means a greater weight exerted down onto the surface of the Earth.

Headaches can be brought on by a change in the pressure, not just high pressure. When the pressure changes, it creates a difference between the outside air, and your sinuses and ears, which can result in pain. This is also what happens when you are inside a plane.

It's not just barometric pressure changes that can cause headaches, but also a change in winds for example, which can stir up allergens in the air and aggravate your sinuses. Seasonal changes too, due to pollen, may also trigger this.