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 stay with migraines. Earlier than the airplane-related head ache begins, some (although not all) could undergo the aura part of a migraine and spot imaginative and prescient adjustments like the next, per Mount Sinai:

Non permanent blind spots or coloured spots Blurred imaginative and prescient Eye ache Seeing stars, zigzag traces, or flashing lights Tunnel imaginative and prescient (solely in a position to see objects near the middle of the sector of view)

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

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

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

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 while you’re on a airplane? That is from adjustments in air strain throughout takeoff and touchdown. “The change in air strain (or barometric strain) that comes with flying” can also be probably the most 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 concept that barometric adjustments could 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 adjustments are strongest in takeoff and touchdown, migraines assaults usually tend to strike at these occasions, per the Migraine Basis Aotearoa New Zealand.

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

2. Movement

For some folks, turbulence turns their abdomen. And folks with migraine are extra vulnerable to movement illness, in line with an August 2010 paper in Progress in Neurobiology. Movement illness often comes with a facet of nausea, dizziness, and headache, so it is sensible that it might probably induce a migraine assault.

3. Gentle

These ultra-bright synthetic lights on planes can worsen migraines, too. The truth is, excessive mild sensitivity, a situation known as photophobia, is among the standards used to diagnose migraines, in line with the American Migraine Basis.

4. Lack of sleep

Whether or not you’ll be able to’t sleep on planes (lots of people simply can’t get snug), or your flight is at 6 a.m. (and also you solely caught a couple of 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 while 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 line with the American Migraine Basis.

6. Dry air

The humidity in airplane cabins may be very low, which might dehydrate you, in line with The Migraine Belief. And as we have discovered, dehydration and migraine don’t combine properly.

7. A change in consuming and consuming habits

On the day of journey, “folks could skip meals as a result of timing of their flights or could eat extra processed, quick-and-easy meals which will set off migraine assaults for some,” Dr. Tempo says.

8. Stress

Whereas happening trip must be stress-free, some elements—like flying—may also be a bit anxious. “Some folks could discover flying anxious or anxiety-inducing (particularly if operating late, looking for your gate, or worrying about checking your baggage), which might additionally make folks extra susceptible to migraine assaults,” Dr. Tempo says.

Truly, stress is a set off for most individuals (about 70 %) with migraine, in line 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 folks. Often known as an “airplane headache,” it entails a extreme ache on one facet of the brow and eye space, in line 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 embody the next, per Dr. Tempo:

An airplane headache solely occurs throughout airplane journey (typically throughout ascent and/or descent). Alternatively, migraines can occur at any time in the course of the journey course of. (You may even get a migraine after flying.) Airplane complications are sometimes shorter than most migraine assaults. They often 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 this can be a uncommon headache kind, they usually sometimes resolve after the takeoff or touchdown of the airplane, there aren’t plenty of research on remedies, however most of my sufferers use typical 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 have to pop a capsule. “Generally the [airplane] headache resolves earlier than the particular person can seize a medicine and take it,” she says.

The best way to forestall a migraine when flying

When you can’t all the time keep away from a migraine assault throughout air journey, you’ll be able to decrease your danger, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in your plans when you land. Strive the following tips that can assist you keep pain-free every step of the best way.

Pre-flight

Plan forward when scheduling a flight. “Attempt to keep away from red-eye flights if attainable, or flights which 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 typical to get to the airport and also you miss breakfast),” Dr. Tempo says. Pack your migraine meds in your carry-on. “It’s essential to verify your carry-on has all your acute drugs or remedies within the case you could want them,” Dr. Tempo says. It’s also possible to pack anti-nausea medicine 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 convey wholesome, well-balanced snacks on the airplane (suppose: a protein bar, uncooked nuts and dried fruit, and many others.), Dr. Tempo says. Take a reusable water bottle. “So you’ll be able to 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 airport safety. You may refill it when you get to your gate. Carry your personal eye masks, ear plugs, or pillow. This might help scale back any outdoors elements (like shiny lights, noise, and many others.) that may exacerbate an assault, Dr. Tempo says. An airplane neck pillow is an efficient selection. Meditate earlier than you board. “If journey is stress-inducing, it may be useful to do some mindfulness or deep respiratory workouts pre-flight, or obtain a couple of 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 folks discover the time crunch/speeding to be anxious, so that you’d need to reduce any danger of that affecting the chance of a migraine,” Dr. Tempo says.

Throughout flight

Snack ceaselessly. “Suppose 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 typical migraine set off, so sip on H2O all through the flight. (You may select an aisle seat upfront if you happen to suppose you will rise up to pee rather a lot.) Keep away from or restrict alcohol and caffeine. Each are recognized to set off a migraine assault, Dr. Tempo says. Stretch usually. “It may also be useful to do light 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 operating, however catching up in your zzzs (particularly if there’s a time zone distinction) is one of the best ways to stop 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 essential conferences or outings for a while after touchdown to allow them to regroup,” Dr. Tempo says. “I feel this can be a actually nice concept, particularly for folks with migraine who are inclined to get assaults throughout air journey.” Get right into a routine. Even if you happen to’re solely touring for a short while, establishing a routine “with meals and hydration as soon as you’re at your vacation spot might help,” Dr. Tempo says.

The best way to deal with a migraine if you happen to’re already on the airplane

Even if you happen to’ve completed every little thing you’ll be able to to organize, a migraine assault can nonetheless strike mid-flight. This is easy methods to cope if it does:

1. Take your meds

“When you’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 may 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. When you’re not sure of one of the best combo of meds to take, ask your physician upfront.

The earlier you are taking your medicine, the higher. “Attempt to deal with as early as you’ll be able to to maximise the chance of aid,” she says. Which means, 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, “take into account asking a flight attendant for ice packs, if 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 a couple of cubes right into a plastic bag for you. The chilly decreases blood move to the mind, which might present ache aid.

3. Cowl your eyes

Put on your eye masks (or ask a flight attendant for one if you happen to forgot to pack your personal). This will block out the brilliant, harsh lights on the airplane which will worsen 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

“When you 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 good distance. When you have hassle remembering to drink on the flight, set alarms or reminders in your cellphone to go off periodically. You may know you are correctly hydrated if take a toilet break and your pee is mild yellow/clear, per UCI Well being.

The underside line

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

Nonetheless, migraine assaults aren’t all the time avoidable. “Generally you do every little thing proper: you propose forward, you convey all your meds and snacks, you hydrate tremendous properly on the flight, and you continue to get a migraine,” Dr. Tempo says. “Give your self grace, and know it isn’t your fault. Migraine may 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.

“When you’re constantly getting migraine assaults with airplane journey, and your typical cures aren’t serving to, take into account seeing a neurologist or headache specialist for extra steerage and therapy choices,” Dr. Tempo says.