Migraine After Flying: Causes and Tips for Relief

It’s true—whereas everybody has completely different migraine triggers, being on a airplane is a reasonably widespread one for individuals who dwell with migraines. Earlier than the airplane-related head ache begins, some (although not all) might undergo the aura section of a migraine and see imaginative and prescient modifications like the next, per Mount Sinai:

• Non permanent blind spots or coloured spots
• Blurred imaginative and prescient
• Eye ache
• Seeing stars, zigzag strains, or flashing lights
• Tunnel imaginative and prescient (solely capable of see objects near the middle of the sector of view)

As soon as the headache hits (which will be throbbing, pounding, or pulsating), you may additionally have nausea, vomiting, and excessive sensitivity to mild, sound, and smells.

We all know: A flight-induced migraine sounds depressing. Luckily, there are methods to forestall (and handle) migraines if you’re onboard, to maintain you from completely giving up in your vacay plans.

We spoke with Anna Pace, MD, assistant professor of neurology on the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the Headache Medicine Fellowship Program, about why air journey can set off migraines and what to do pre-, throughout, and post-flight to avert an assault.

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What causes a migraine when flying?

Sadly, flying is an ideal storm of migraine triggers. Listed here are just some of the commonest:

1. Cabin strain

Do your ears pop if you’re on a airplane? That is from modifications in air strain throughout takeoff and touchdown. “The change in air strain (or barometric strain) that comes with flying” can also be one of the vital widespread migraine triggers, says Dr. Tempo.

This shift in strain upsets the steadiness of fluid in your sinuses, inflicting head ache, per the Cleveland Clinic. There’s additionally a principle that barometric modifications might have an effect on strain in your mind, altering the way it senses ache, however extra analysis is required to substantiate this.

As a result of strain modifications are strongest in takeoff and touchdown, migraines assaults usually tend to strike at these occasions, per the Migraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand.

“The change in air strain that comes with flying” can also be one of the vital widespread migraine triggers.—Anna Tempo, MD

2. Movement

For some individuals, turbulence turns their abdomen. And folks with migraine are extra inclined to movement illness, in keeping with an August 2010 paper in Progress in Neurobiology. Movement illness normally comes with a aspect of nausea, dizziness, and headache, so it is smart that it might probably induce a migraine assault.

3. Mild

These ultra-bright synthetic lights on planes can irritate migraines, too. Actually, excessive mild sensitivity, a situation referred to as photophobia, is likely one of the standards used to diagnose migraines, in keeping with the American Migraine Foundation.

4. Lack of sleep

Whether or not you may’t sleep on planes (lots of people simply can’t get comfy), or your flight is at 6 a.m. (and also you solely caught just a few winks the night time earlier than), touring can mess up your sleep schedule. And erratic sleep can induce a migraine.

5. Dehydration

Between the dry air on the airplane and the complimentary salty peanuts, you would possibly end up dehydrated if you fly. Dehydration could make you dizzy and lightheaded, so it’s no shock that it’s a set off for a 3rd of migraine victims, in keeping with the American Migraine Basis.

6. Dry air

The humidity in airplane cabins could be very low, which may dehydrate you, in keeping with The Migraine Trust. And as we have discovered, dehydration and migraine don’t combine effectively.

7. A change in consuming and consuming habits

On the day of journey, “individuals might skip meals because of the timing of their flights or might eat extra processed, quick-and-easy meals that will set off migraine assaults for some,” Dr. Tempo says.

8. Stress

Whereas happening trip ought to be stress-free, some facets—like flying—can be a bit annoying. “Some individuals might discover flying annoying or anxiety-inducing (particularly if working late, looking for your gate, or worrying about checking your baggage), which may additionally make individuals extra susceptible to migraine assaults,” Dr. Tempo says.

Truly, stress is a set off for most individuals (about 70 p.c) with migraine, in keeping with the American Migraine Basis.

How is that this completely different from an airplane headache?

Even when you aren’t getting migraines, flying can nonetheless trigger head ache for some individuals. Generally known as an “airplane headache,” it includes a extreme ache on one aspect of the brow and eye space, in keeping with the Migraine Basis Aotearoa New Zealand. As soon as once more, a change in cabin strain appears to be the perpetrator.

Whereas airplane complications and migraines each produce head ache, there are some key variations. These embrace the next, per Dr. Tempo:

• An airplane headache solely occurs throughout airplane journey (usually throughout ascent and/or descent). However, migraines can occur at any time in the course of the journey course of. (You’ll be able to even get a migraine after flying.)
• Airplane complications are sometimes shorter than most migraine assaults. They normally subside inside half-hour whereas migraines can final for much longer (between 4 and 72 hours if untreated).

So what are you able to do if an airplane headache strikes? “Since it is a uncommon headache kind, they usually sometimes resolve after the takeoff or touchdown of the airplane, there aren’t plenty of research on therapies, however most of my sufferers use common over-the-counter (OTC) drugs like anti-inflammatories or a triptan [a type of prescription medicine used to treat migraine] if they’ve one available,” Dr. Tempo says.

However you could not even must pop a capsule. “Typically the [airplane] headache resolves earlier than the particular person can seize a medicine and take it,” she says.

Find out how to forestall a migraine when flying

Whilst you can’t all the time keep away from a migraine assault throughout air journey, you may decrease your danger, so you may get pleasure from your plans when you land. Attempt the following tips that will help you keep pain-free every step of the way in which.

Pre-flight

• Plan forward when scheduling a flight. “Attempt to keep away from red-eye flights if attainable, or flights that will disrupt your sleep schedule (i.e., that low cost 5 or 6 a.m. flight, particularly if it means it is advisable to rise up a lot sooner than common to get to the airport and also you miss breakfast),” Dr. Tempo says.
• Pack your migraine meds in your carry-on. “It’s necessary to verify your carry-on has your entire acute drugs or therapies within the case you could want them,” Dr. Tempo says. You may as well pack anti-nausea treatment like Dramamine, or OTC ache relievers like Excedrin.
• Eat earlier than you get to the airport. Lacking a meal can set off a migraine, so preserve your stomach full and blissful. It’s additionally a sensible concept to deliver wholesome, well-balanced snacks on the airplane (assume: a protein bar, uncooked nuts and dried fruit, and so on.), Dr. Tempo says.
• Take a reusable water bottle. “So you may keep well-hydrated after you undergo safety and whereas on the flight,” Dr. Tempo says. Simply bear in mind to empty it out earlier than going by means of airport safety. You’ll be able to refill it when you get to your gate.
• Convey your individual eye mask, ear plugs, or pillow. This might help scale back any exterior components (like vibrant lights, noise, and so on.) that may exacerbate an assault, Dr. Tempo says. An airplane neck pillow is an effective alternative.
• Meditate earlier than you board. “If journey is stress-inducing, it may be useful to do some mindfulness or deep respiratory workout routines pre-flight, or obtain just a few podcasts on meditation or mindfulness to take heed to whereas ready at your gate,” Dr. Tempo says.
• Go away loads of time to reach on the airport and undergo safety. “Some individuals discover the time crunch/dashing to be annoying, so that you’d wish to reduce any danger of that affecting the probability of a migraine,” Dr. Tempo says.

Throughout flight

• Snack often. “Assume wholesome choices wealthy in magnesium, B2, and omega-3s, or snacks with protein and wholesome fat or complete grains,” Dr. Tempo says. Some nice choices are path combine, crackers and hummus, or a granola bar. Simply attempt to keep away from any meals that are inclined to set off migraines for you—like dairy and cured meats, for instance.
• Keep well-hydrated. Bear in mind, dehydration is a standard migraine set off, so sip on H2O all through the flight. (You’ll be able to select an aisle seat upfront for those who assume you may rise up to pee loads.)
• Keep away from or restrict alcohol and caffeine. Each are identified to set off a migraine assault, Dr. Tempo says.
• Stretch usually. “It can be useful to do mild neck and arm/shoulder stretches and rise up out of your seat to stroll and transfer round the place attainable (solely when the pilot says it’s secure to take action!),” Dr. Tempo says.

Submit-flight

• Get some sleep. You is perhaps tempted to down a cup of joe and hit the bottom working, however catching up in your zzzs (particularly if there’s a time zone distinction) is the easiest way to forestall a migraine assault, Dr. Tempo says.
• Take it simple. Don’t pack your itinerary with too many actions upon your arrival. “Many individuals keep away from scheduling necessary conferences or outings for a while after touchdown to allow them to regroup,” Dr. Tempo says. “I feel it is a actually nice concept, particularly for individuals with migraine who are inclined to get assaults throughout air journey.”
• Get right into a routine. Even for those who’re solely touring for a short while, establishing a routine “with meals and hydration as soon as you might be at your vacation spot might help,” Dr. Tempo says.

Find out how to deal with a migraine for those who’re already on the airplane

Even for those who’ve achieved every little thing you may to arrange, a migraine assault can nonetheless strike mid-flight. This is easy methods to cope if it does:

1. Take your meds

“If you happen to’re already on the airplane and you’ve got a migraine assault, it is best to deal with it along with your acute drugs available, whether or not that could be a triptan, a gepant [a medicine used to treat migraines], an NSAID, an anti-nausea med, or one thing of that sort (or combo!),” Dr. Tempo says. If you happen to’re not sure of the most effective combo of meds to take, ask your physician upfront.

The earlier you are taking your treatment, the higher. “Attempt to deal with as early as you may to maximise the probability of aid,” she says. Meaning, pop your capsule on the first signal of a migraine assault—whether or not that is blurred imaginative and prescient, nausea, or ache.

2. Ask for an ice pack

Additionally, “contemplate asking a flight attendant for ice packs, if you already know that’s one thing that may sometimes assist alleviate some ache,” Dr. Tempo says. If they do not have precise ice packs, they’ll put just a few cubes right into a plastic bag for you. The chilly decreases blood circulation to the mind, which may present ache aid.

3. Cowl your eyes

Put on your eye masks (or ask a flight attendant for one for those who forgot to pack your individual). This could block out the brilliant, harsh lights on the airplane that will irritate your head ache. As soon as your eyes are lined, attempt to get some shut-eye to sleep off the ache.

4. Settle your abdomen

“If you happen to really feel queasy or nauseated, attempt to eat saltines or have ginger ale to settle your abdomen a bit,” Dr. Tempo says. This may be the place the Dramamine comes into play.

5. Keep hydrated

As soon as once more, little sips of water can go a great distance. In case you have hassle remembering to drink on the flight, set alarms or reminders in your telephone to go off periodically. You will know you are correctly hydrated if take a toilet break and your pee is light yellow/clear, per UCI Health.

The underside line

For individuals who get migraines, flying is a standard set off. Fortunately, there are issues you are able to do to arrange to assist forestall, or not less than scale back your danger, of a migraine. Avoiding, managing, or minimizing identified triggers—like dehydration, stress, and lack of sleep—is half the battle.

Nonetheless, migraine assaults aren’t all the time avoidable. “Typically you do every little thing proper: you propose forward, you deliver your entire meds and snacks, you hydrate tremendous effectively on the flight, and you continue to get a migraine,” Dr. Tempo says. “Give your self grace, and know it’s not your fault. Migraine will be unpredictable.” In different phrases, it’s very okay to hold in your resort room for the primary day (or couple hours) of trip ’til you are feeling higher.

“If you happen to’re constantly getting migraine assaults with airplane journey, and your common treatments usually are not serving to, contemplate seeing a neurologist or headache specialist for extra steering and therapy choices,” Dr. Tempo says.