Air pollution and extreme heat linked to more migraine attacks, Israeli study finds

Migraine attacks may be triggered by air pollution and extreme weather conditions, according to a new study from Israel's Clalit Healthcare Services and Ben-Gurion University. The research, published in the journal Neurology, suggests a connection between environmental factors and the frequency of these debilitating headaches.

The study found that both persistent climate conditions and short-term exposure to air pollution can increase the risk of migraine attacks. This adds to the growing understanding of the complex factors contributing to migraines, a condition that affects a significant portion of the global population.

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Prevalence is about three times higher in women than in men, and the median age for a first migraine attack is 23.2 for women and 25.5 for men.

Migraines are characterized by intense throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. For some, migraines can last for days and are considered a leading cause of neurologic disability. Predicting these episodes remains challenging, hindering both anticipatory and preventive care.

Estimates suggest that approximately 14% of the world's population, or 1.13 billion people, suffer from migraines. In Israel, between 6.8% and 9.9% of adults experience migraines. The condition is notably more prevalent in women, with attacks typically beginning in their 20s, although they can appear later in life.

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The attacks usually start in a person’s 20s, but they can suddenly appear in the elderly. Women with migraines who have passed menopause usual