Calgary’s unique weather patterns can trigger severe migraines for many residents
Calgary: For many folks in Calgary, seeing a Chinook arch in the sky is a good sign. It usually means warmer weather is on the way. But for migraine sufferers, it can mean trouble.
These weather changes can trigger intense migraines, bringing along nausea and light sensitivity. Some people can’t even make it to work when the pain hits.
Melissa Bunting, a local migraine sufferer, recalls her first day in Calgary. She ended up in the ER with a migraine. The doctor told her she had moved to one of the worst places for migraines.
During strong Chinook events, emergency room visits often spike. Many people notice their worst migraines started after moving to this area.
Bertha Kizito shared her experience, saying she began having weather-related migraines after relocating to Calgary. She noticed many coworkers were also missing work when the weather changed.
Dr. Werner Becker, a professor at the University of Calgary, explains that there are two main groups of migraine sufferers affected by Chinooks. Some feel the impact the day before, while others are triggered on the Chinook day itself.
It’s not clear exactly what weather factors cause these migraines. For some, it might be the drop in barometric pressure before the Chinook, while others react to the sudden temperature changes.
Researching this is tricky since every Chinook is different, and many people have multiple triggers. Dr. Becker notes that most migraine sufferers can identify several triggers, from stress to lack of sleep to weather changes.
Being aware of personal triggers can help. If a Chinook is coming, it’s smart to limit exposure to other triggers and take medications early if possible.
Dr. Raj Bhardwaj, a Calgary physician, encourages those suffering from migraines to speak up. There are effective treatments available, and sometimes preventive measures can help if migraines are frequent.
