Air pressure & headaches
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you have frequent, severe or unusual headaches, talk to a doctor.
What is air pressure?
Air pressure is the weight of the air above us. Weather services report it in hectopascals (hPa). At sea level it averages about 1013 hPa and usually stays between roughly 980 and 1040 hPa. Low pressure tends to bring clouds, wind and rain; high pressure tends to bring calm, dry weather, cool nights and sometimes fog.
Why do some people feel the weather?
Being sensitive to weather changes is sometimes called meteoropathy. People most often mention headaches and migraines, aching joints, tiredness, poor sleep and trouble concentrating, especially around a change in the weather.
Several studies have found links between changes in air pressure and the start of migraine attacks or joint pain. The results are mixed, though: not everyone is affected, and people react to different things – some to falling pressure, some to rising pressure, some to temperature, humidity or wind. Weather changes also come with other triggers, such as poor sleep or skipped meals, so the cause is not always the pressure alone.
Scientists have suggested several explanations, for example small pressure differences in the sinuses and the inner ear, or changes in blood vessels. None of them is fully proven.
Find your own pattern
The most useful thing you can do is to keep a simple diary: write down the days you get a headache or other symptoms, and compare them with the forecast here. After a few weeks you will see whether drops, rises or neither of them matter for you – and you can choose the right button.
Simple habits on a big-change day
- Drink enough water through the day.
- Keep regular sleep and meal times.
- Go easy on alcohol and very salty food.
- Keep coffee to your usual amount – too much, or suddenly none, can both trigger headaches.
- Get some fresh air and gentle movement, and take short breaks from screens.
- If you use pain relief, follow the leaflet and avoid taking it on many days a week, as overuse can cause headaches of its own.
When to see a doctor
Get medical help quickly if a headache is sudden and very severe, or comes with weakness, numbness, problems with sight or speech, confusion, fever or a stiff neck. See a doctor if your headaches are getting more frequent or stronger, or if you need painkillers often. If you have high blood pressure, measuring it on days when you feel unwell can be useful information for your doctor.