Summer Conditions Drive Spike in Migraine Attacks, Israeli Neurologist Says

In Israel, about one million people live with migraines, a condition affecting roughly one in seven people worldwide.

By Shula Rosen

Dr. Oved Daniel, director of the Headache and Facial Pain Clinic at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, told Ynet that summer conditions are driving an increase in migraine attacks and outlined steps patients can take to reduce their impact.

In Israel, about one million people live with migraines, a condition affecting roughly one in seven people worldwide.

Women experience it at three times the rate of men. The World Health Organization ranks migraines as the second-most disabling condition globally.

Episodes typically last four to 72 hours and can include nausea, vomiting, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound. About 20% of sufferers experience aura symptoms such as visual disturbances or sensory changes.

Daniel pointed to environmental and lifestyle shifts during the summer as key contributors.

A 2024 study found 49% of participants identified weather changes as a trigger, with a 26.5% increase in humidity linked to a 28% rise in migraine likelihood, especially between April and September.

Changes in barometric pressure can also affect fluid balance within the skull, triggering attacks in some individuals.

Heat and dehydration further increase risk.

A 2009 study published in Neurology found that a 5-degree Celsius (41 F) temperature increase raised the chance of a migraine by about 7.5%. Reduced fluid intake lowers blood volume and heightens nervous system sensitivity, while adequate hydration can significantly reduce attack frequency.

Seasonal disruptions to daily routines also contribute. Travel, irregular meals, and altered sleep schedules can interfere with the body’s internal rhythm.

A 2024 study in Neurology International found a 6.4% increase in migraines in the week following the switch to daylight saving time, compared with a 5.5% decline after returning to standard time.

Air quality is another factor. A 2018 study in Headache linked higher levels of PM2.5 particles, commonly produced by wildfire smoke, to increased emergency room visits for migraines.

“Summer migraines are challenging but not inevitable,” Daniel said.

He advised maintaining consistent sleep patterns, drinking at least two liters of water daily, eating regular meals, and limiting exposure to heat and direct sunlight to reduce the risk of attacks.