Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
This article provides an overview of the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of barometric pressure headaches. It also reviews when to see a healthcare professional for your headache.
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Symptoms: What Does a Barometric Pressure Headache Feel Like?
A barometric air pressure headache can be classified into these two categories:
Primary vs. Secondary HeadachesPrimary headaches are headaches that arise independently, whereas secondary headaches result from another condition, such as an underlying disease or medication.
Primary vs. Secondary Headaches
Primary headaches are headaches that arise independently, whereas secondary headaches result from another condition, such as an underlying disease or medication.
The symptoms of a barometric pressure headache depend on the type of headache it’s triggering, including:
Causes of Barometric Pressure Headaches
The cause of most barometric pressure headaches is not fully understood.
Along the same line, barometric pressure changes can cause a sensation of head compression. Sincetension-type headachesarise from activating pain receptors on your neck or scalp muscles, the head-compressing sensation may stimulate these pain receptors.
Causes and Risk Factors of Headaches
Diagnosing Barometric Pressure Headaches
A barometric pressure headache diagnosis can be made with a careful medical history and neurological exam.
Imaging or other diagnostic tests are not usually needed unless the neurological exam is abnormal or there are worrisome features like fever orstroke-like symptoms(e.g., facial numbness or weakness).
When Should You Worry About a Headache?
Treatment: How to Relieve Barometric Pressure Headaches
To treat a barometric pressure headache, you need to identify the type of headache it’s causing.
Most people with migraines obtain relief withnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), includingAdvil or Motrin (ibuprofen). More severe migraine attacks typically require a prescriptiontriptan, like Imitrex (sumatriptan).
What Is a Triptan?Triptans interact withserotonin(a brain chemical) receptors in the brain and are available in multiple formulations (e.g., tablets, nasal spray, and shots).
What Is a Triptan?
Triptans interact withserotonin(a brain chemical) receptors in the brain and are available in multiple formulations (e.g., tablets, nasal spray, and shots).
Other migraine drug options includeReyvow(lasmiditan)and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blockers, likeNurtec ODT(rimegepant).
Tension-typeandhigh-altitude headachescan be treated with an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
Headaches attributed to airline travelmay be eased with a triptan or an NSAID, like ibuprofen orAleve (naproxen).Nondrug therapies could also be helpful, including applying pressure to the area of pain or using deep-breathing or otherrelaxation techniques.
Will Pressing on My Headache Help Ease It?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
For example, seeing a healthcare provider is essential if your headaches occur more often than before or feel different from prior ones.
Likewise, see a healthcare provider if you have a headache and are pregnant, just gave birth, are over 50, or have a history of cancer or suppressed immune system.
If you are experiencing a headache and other acute mountain sickness symptoms, descend or seek medical attention if your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen within a day or two of being at high altitude.
Seek Emergency Medical AttentionGo to an emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing:A sudden headache that becomes severe within a few seconds or minutesA fever/stiff neck, painful red eye, seizure, fainting, or stroke symptomsA headache after a head injuryDrowsiness, confusion, or severe exhaustion at high altitudes, as these symptoms could indicatecerebral edema(excess fluid on the brain)Breathlessness at high altitudes, as this could indicatepulmonary edema(excess fluid in the lungs)
Seek Emergency Medical Attention
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing:A sudden headache that becomes severe within a few seconds or minutesA fever/stiff neck, painful red eye, seizure, fainting, or stroke symptomsA headache after a head injuryDrowsiness, confusion, or severe exhaustion at high altitudes, as these symptoms could indicatecerebral edema(excess fluid on the brain)Breathlessness at high altitudes, as this could indicatepulmonary edema(excess fluid in the lungs)
Go to an emergency room or call 911 if you are experiencing:
Preventing Barometric Pressure Headaches
If barometric pressure changes trigger yourmigraineortension-type headaches, it’s sensible to have the headache medication that works for you at hand. Consider keeping a medication supply in your car, desk drawer, purse, or backpack.
Additionally, even though you cannot control the weather, you can manage exposure to other potentialheadache triggers, including caffeine, sleep deprivation, stress, and environmental factors like strong smells and loud sounds.
Migraine Preventive Medication
Additional preventive strategies for high-altitude headaches include:
Due to its rarity, it’s unclear exactly how to preventheadaches attributed to airline travel. Limited research suggests taking the NSAID Aleve (naproxen) and a nasaldecongestantlike Afrin (oxymetazoline) before takeoff and landing may be effective.
Summary
Barometric (air) pressure changes can trigger a migraine or tension-type headache in susceptible individuals. They can also trigger secondary headaches, including high-altitude headaches or headaches attributed to airline travel.
A barometric pressure headache is diagnosed with a medical history and exam. Treatment depends on the type of headache triggered but typically involves taking an over-the-counter or prescription medications.
A Word From Verywell
Reach out to a healthcare provider or aheadache specialistsuch as a neurologist if you think you are experiencing headaches related to barometric pressure changes. They can help you tease out the diagnosis and devise an effective treatment plan.
Also, while you cannot control the weather, you can adopt healthy lifestyle habits like staying physically active and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. These behaviors will help you fend off headaches and feel your best self.
An infection causes a sinus headache within the sinus cavities. Barometric pressure changes do not cause infections but can trigger migraines and tension-type headaches.They can also cause facial pain that resembles a sinus headache due to air pressure differences between the outside and inside of your body.Learn MoreWhat Is a Sinus Headache?
An infection causes a sinus headache within the sinus cavities. Barometric pressure changes do not cause infections but can trigger migraines and tension-type headaches.They can also cause facial pain that resembles a sinus headache due to air pressure differences between the outside and inside of your body.
An infection causes a sinus headache within the sinus cavities. Barometric pressure changes do not cause infections but can trigger migraines and tension-type headaches.
They can also cause facial pain that resembles a sinus headache due to air pressure differences between the outside and inside of your body.
Learn MoreWhat Is a Sinus Headache?
Weather-related factors like high or low temperatures, humidity, sunlight, and the barometric (air) pressure changes that occur during a thunderstorm may trigger headaches in specific individuals.The mechanism behind the headache isn’t always precise and varies with the type of headache. Activation of trigeminal nerve fibers and swelling of the brain’s blood vessels may play a role.Learn MoreHow Weather Might Trigger a Headache
Weather-related factors like high or low temperatures, humidity, sunlight, and the barometric (air) pressure changes that occur during a thunderstorm may trigger headaches in specific individuals.The mechanism behind the headache isn’t always precise and varies with the type of headache. Activation of trigeminal nerve fibers and swelling of the brain’s blood vessels may play a role.
Weather-related factors like high or low temperatures, humidity, sunlight, and the barometric (air) pressure changes that occur during a thunderstorm may trigger headaches in specific individuals.
The mechanism behind the headache isn’t always precise and varies with the type of headache. Activation of trigeminal nerve fibers and swelling of the brain’s blood vessels may play a role.
Learn MoreHow Weather Might Trigger a Headache
For some people, yes. Weather-related factors, including barometric pressure, can trigger or aggravate migraine headaches.Learn MoreCommon Migraine Triggers
For some people, yes. Weather-related factors, including barometric pressure, can trigger or aggravate migraine headaches.
Learn MoreCommon Migraine Triggers
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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