Meteoropathy: why does the föhn give us a headache?

Every second person suffers from meteoropathy

“Not the föhn again”, the office colleague sighs, her brow furrowed. When the warm wind from the Alps blows, she’s thin-skinned and irritable. And gets such a headache that not even painkillers help – a typical symptom of a föhn headache. "Ideally, I’d like to lie down in a darkened bedroom with a cool cloth on my forehead and wait for the headache to pass," she continues. But her boss is hardly likely to sanction that. It's a fact that every second person in Switzerland today feels affected by such weather conditions, which goes to show how common meteoropathy is.

Biometeorology and the influence of environmental factors

Biometeorology has a significant influence on our health, especially when environmental factors such as the full moon, sunset or the change to/from daylight saving time are involved. In Switzerland today, biometeorology is increasingly showing how such factors can contribute to headaches and migraines. Such meteoropathic reactions are particularly noticeable during these phases and affect many people who are sensitive to atmospheric fluctuations.

No medical studies available yet

But back to the föhn: Some of her friends also wonder: Can it really be that the föhn affects someone so much? Or is she holding the storm responsible for symptoms that could have other causes? There are no clear findings. According to various surveys, up to 50% of people feel that their health is affected by the weather, especially these days when meteoropathical symptoms like headaches and a general feeling of discomfort are particularly noticeable. This is especially true in Central Europe, where there are frequent changes: between high and low pressure, and between cold and warm fronts. However, no medical studies exist to date that prove a direct connection between weather and well-being.

Most symptoms occur during a warm front

Föhn conditions are indeed tricky and often lead to a marked weather change. Many people are agitated and lack concentration, and accidents rise. “We record the most symptoms when a warm front moves in,” says Andreas Matzarakis, medical meteorologist at the German Meteorological Service in Freiburg im Breisgau. Weather changes – especially from cold to warm fronts – often cause headaches due to the sudden change in atmospheric pressure.

The body is constantly adapting to the weather

The fact that the body reacts to the weather is actually nothing special. However, with increasing age or certain health conditions, these reactions can become more noticeable. The body is constantly having to adapt to changing conditions – cold, heat, sun, rain. Stable high-pressure conditions in spring and autumn generally lift most people’s moods, but even such changes can be challenging if you suffer from meteoropathy. This is why some people resort to medication to alleviate the symptoms. Normally, the body’s reaction to the weather happens unnoticed as our bodies can easily cope with temperature fluctuations or changes in air pressure, but the effects on our mood are unmistakable.

Meteoropathy is not a medical condition

Little is known about why some people are badly afflicted and others are not. A person's medical history may play a role, but meteoropathy itself is not a disease. Rather, it’s an impaired ability to deal with nature’s fluctuations. The body’s autonomic nervous system is challenged which, for many people in Switzerland today, can trigger specific symptoms. This can result in various non-specific symptoms, including exhaustion and fatigue, or circulatory problems, especially if the person’s blood pressure is low anyway.

Chronically ill people can also suffer from the weather

Weather-sensitive people who are basically healthy differ from weather-sensitive people who suffer from a chronic illness. The latter find their symptoms increase in certain weather conditions, but these are easier to explain. For example, when it gets colder and wetter outside, joint diseases such as rheumatism can become particularly painful, and asthma sufferers complain of more severe breathing difficulties. People with scar pain also often report a worsening of their symptoms when the weather changes. Patients are best advised to discuss remedial measures with their doctor.

Alternative treatment methods & home reme­dies for meteoropathy

Simple home remedies and alternative treatment methods can provide relief from weather sensitivity. Homeopathic remedies are often used for anxiety disorders and can also help with weather-related sleep disorders. Home remedies have also been shown to be effective for phantom pains and support meteoropathic patients’ mental well-being. These natural approaches offer a gentle way of dealing with the challenges posed by the weather and improving quality of life.

However, alternative treatment methods and home remedies to alleviate weather-related symptoms should only be used in consultation with a doctor to ensure they don't endanger individual health conditions.

A strong immune system helps combat meteoropathy

But there’s also a simple method to help weather-sensitive people: They can prevent symptoms by toughening up, i.e. strengthening their immune system. Andreas Matzarakis recommends Kneipp baths, alternating showers or saunas. Especially in weather conditions like the Bise, a northeasterly wind which is often associated with a sudden drop in temperature, a strong immune system can help alleviate typical symptoms such as dizziness. It's also good to get out in the fresh air and do some moderate stamina training. “Braving the weather” is the recommended tactic – and the office worker so badly affected by the föhn is determined to do so. “Just not when the headache-storm’s blowing.”

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