Health

Health: Agony Of Summertime Headaches

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― In health, it is summertime and living is easing, but all the fun in the sun can be anything but fun for many. Medical Reporter Stephanie Stahl explains the season of sunshine can be a real pain for some.

While most people look forward to summer fun, it's a season of agony for Whitney Lewis.

"Sometimes it will just be an absolute pounding headache, otherwise it's just like a dulling pain," Whitney said.

Headache specialist Dr. Larry Newman says the severity and frequency of headaches can increase during warm, humid months.

"Weather changes, so barometric pressure changes, we're getting lots of storms, so the heat, the humidity and then the rain that follows it are triggers of headaches," Dr. Newman said.

A recent survey by the National Headache Foundation found 75-percent of those questioned said they were unable to participate in outdoor activities because of headaches caused by rising temperatures.

"Some of the summertime triggers can include things such as bright flickering sunlight, odors and perfumes from sunscreen, dietary triggers," Suzanne Simons of the National Headache Foundation said.

Nitrates found in some barbecue favorites like hot dogs can bring on a headache and so can Tannins in alcoholic beverages and caffeine.

Glare was a trigger for Whitney who solved that with sunglasses.

"It's all about trial and error," Whitney said.

Since it gets darker later in the summer, people tend to get off their meal and sleep schedules; which can also trigger headaches.


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Tool For Headache Suffers

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