Excessive Heat can trigger your migraines

Well, I can't believe we are almost done with summer. This summer 2026 has been busy with visiting family, friends, holidays, birthdays, and of course the constant migraines that are triggered by the excessive heat. In high school, I would get migraines during the summer. Being active and playing with friends outside, I would need to stay hydrated all the time and make sure I had a sunscreen on for protection from the sun. I love being outside with my family and friends, whether swimming in a pool, playing sport activities, bonfires, playing in the ocean, and barbecuing with family and friends. I couldn't tell at that time, what my migraines were being triggered from. I know that I felt bad and would have a bad headache if the sun and heat was too hot. In context, the following below information goes over how the heat affects Vestibular Migraines.

How Heat Affects Vestibular Migraine

Vestibular migraine is a neurological condition that can cause vertigo, imbalance, nausea, and motion sensitivity, with or without a headache Johns Hopkins Medicine. Like other migraine types, vestibular migraine is highly sensitive to environmental triggers. Extreme heat can exacerbate symptoms through several mechanisms:

• Dehydration: High temperatures increase fluid loss, reducing blood volume and potentially triggering dizziness or headache wmchealth.org+1.

• Vasodilation: Heat causes blood vessels to expand, which can activate pain-sensitive pathways in the brain and worsen migraine intensity migrainebuddy.com.

• Sensory overload: Bright sunlight and glare can overstimulate visual pathways, which are already sensitive in vestibular migraine patients wmchealth.org+1.

• Stress response: Coping with uncomfortable heat elevates cortisol levels, which may further trigger migraine attacks wmchealth.org.

  
  

  Environmental factors such as humidity, air quality, and barometric pressure changes often interact with heat to increase the likelihood of vestibular migraine episodes vestibular.org+1. Studies suggest that temperature and pressure fluctuations can increase migraine risk by 7–15%, and poor air quality can worsen symptom frequency and severity vestibular.org.

Managing Vestibular Migraine in Extreme Heat

Practical strategies to reduce heat-related vestibular migraine attacks include:

• Stay hydrated: Drink water consistently throughout the day, not just when thirsty wmchealth.org.

• Control your environment: Use air conditioning, fans, or cooling towels; wear light-colored, loose clothing and wide-brimmed hats wmchealth.org.

• Limit sun exposure: Avoid prolonged direct sunlight and bright glare, which can trigger visual sensitivity migrainebuddy.com.

• Maintain routines: Consistent sleep, meal schedules, and stress management help reduce susceptibility to environmental triggers wmchealth.org+1.

• Track triggers: Keeping a migraine diary or using an app can help identify patterns related to heat, humidity, or other environmental factors The Conversation.

In the past, summers in high school, college, and after college, I would always get migraines. It wasn't until June 2023 when I had a severe migraine & vertigo episode that I was diagnosed with Vestibular Migraines. This summer 2026, I have been more aware during extreme heat advisory and weather changes when my migraines as well as vertigo attack. I am more cautious of drinking a lot of water especially during the heat advisory as well as electrolytes. Even living in Southern California, with the amount of sun exposure that we get can be a trigger of a migraine attack. I started to limit my sun exposure outside. I make sure that if I am outside, I am wearing sunscreen products, migraine glasses, hats, and drinking plenty of water.

In summary, as I continue this health journey with vestibular migraines, I am able to find helpful resources and information on how to manage my vestibular migraine attacks and understanding what can trigger the episodes.