Why do you get headaches when it's cold?

Many people have headaches in cold weather.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (54 years old, living in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) said that recently the mornings in Ho Chi Minh City have been chilly. She often goes to exercise in the morning, but after walking for about 15 minutes in the cold wind, she gets a headache and feels uncomfortable. Although before, she could walk for about 30-45 minutes and feel alert.

Similarly, Ms. Huynh Thanh Thuy (30 years old, living in Binh Thanh district, Ho Chi Minh City) said that her family had just traveled to a province in the Central region and she had to suffer from headaches due to the cold weather.

"The temperature at the place I traveled to was quite cold in the early morning and evening, causing me to have a lot of headaches. When the afternoon was warm and sunny, the headaches were much reduced," Ms. Thuy shared.

People wear coats on the street in the chilly morning weather.

Causes of headaches in cold weather

On November 30, specialist doctor Dao Duy Khoa, Department of Neurology - University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that when the weather turns cold, many people have headaches because the cold temperature stimulates the sensory receptors in the head, face, and sinuses. In this case, just warming up will relieve the pain. For example, when we drink ice cold water, we will also feel a sharp pain in the brain.

The second reason, according to Dr. Khoa, is that cold weather increases our risk of catching colds. And colds cause headaches, body aches, runny noses, etc.

"Some types of primary headaches, such as migraine headaches and tension headaches, can trigger pain when the weather changes. These types of headaches are characterized by recurring pain, but often have the same characteristics and type of pain, and do not change in nature," Dr. Khoa shared.

In addition, according to Dr. Khoa, cold weather also indirectly increases the risk of stroke. Cold weather will cause vasoconstriction leading to increased blood pressure or unstable blood pressure. When the weather is cold, it will change eating, exercise and living habits, leading to vascular risk factors that are more difficult to control.

Cold weather makes us feel less thirsty, drink less water, leading to blood thickening and easy blood clotting.

Cold temperatures stimulate sensory receptors in the head, face, and sinuses, causing headaches.

Ways to stay healthy in cold weather

"To maintain health in the cold season, we can keep our bodies warm when going out, avoid sudden changes in body temperature, maintain exercise habits, avoid harmful habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Maintain regular medication (if you have underlying diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.) and have regular health check-ups," Dr. Khoa shared.

Doctor Bui Huy Can, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Campus 3, said that when the weather is cold, each person needs to have a regular rest regimen, properly hydrate, and eat warm food.

Although the feeling of thirst is less in the cold season, the body still needs to be provided with the necessary amount of water to ensure the metabolism. The amount of water needed for the body is about 1.5 to 2 liters.

Physical activities in winter should be kept at a light-moderate level.

In cold weather, people should also limit eating raw foods and cold drinks and instead eat hot tea and warm, soft foods like porridge and soup in the morning.

Exercise should also be maintained at a moderate level, avoid exercising too hard and sweating too much, which can affect your health.

"In addition, before going to bed, you should massage and soak your feet in warm water combined with massage to improve blood circulation," Dr. Huy Can recommends.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vi-sao-de-bi-dau-dau-khi-troi-lanh-185231130110034677.htm