Poor Air Quality: Can It Cause Headaches And Migraines?

If you reside within the Northeast proper now, you’ve doubtless encountered smoke within the air. Wildfires in Canada have massively affected the world’s air high quality, resulting in warnings for individuals to remain inside.
The well being hazards of wildfire smoke ― even in the event you’re 1000’s of miles away from the supply ― are actual and wide-ranging. We know that smoke can have an effect on our lungs, resulting in coughing or bother respiration. But there’s one other frequent symptom many individuals could not instantly notice is a results of smoke: complications.
In New York City, the place the air high quality is at the moment ranked the worst on the planet as of Wednesday, many have been tweeting about how they began to expertise the early indicators of a migraine. As I sit right here and write this story, looking at an orange, apocalyptic-looking Manhattan skyline, I can really feel stress progressively rising in my temples.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head ache is an anticipated symptom of wildfire smoke. The situations may also trigger sinus ache and congestion, which might result in the sensation of a headache.
A research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which analyzed emergency division visits throughout wildfires in California, discovered that the smoke’s particulate matter (known as PM 2.5) is related to stress complications. “As climate change drives longer and more intense wildfire seasons, wildfire PM 2.5 may contribute to more frequent headaches,” the research authors wrote.
Symptoms from wildfire smoke happen as a result of particulate matter can get deep into our lungs and enter our bloodstream, Colleen Reid, an environmental epidemiologist and well being geographer with the University of Colorado Boulder, beforehand informed HuffPost. After that time, the particles can journey to different organs and trigger irritation.
There is much less recognized about how smoke impacts migraines, however analysis means that irritation can play a task in triggering them. The NIH research didn’t discover that migraines or cluster complications have been related to elevated wildfire smoke. That stated, people are reporting migraine episodes now ― coincidentally, when the air high quality is poor.
How To Protect Yourself And Alleviate Wildfire Smoke Symptoms
If you’re feeling the consequences of the air high quality, there are a number of methods to scale back your signs and forestall additional injury.
First and foremost, keep indoors. Residents of affected areas are suggested to keep away from the air as a lot as attainable, particularly in the event you’re unprotected. If you must go outdoors, put on a high-quality face overlaying like an N95 masks that will help you filter as many particles as attainable.
You must also verify your house’s air filtration. MERV-13 filters are thought of a gold commonplace for lowering air pollution in your house. You may also use a standalone HEPA air air purifier to assist. There are guides on-line on making your personal air purification programs at house (for instance, you should use a MERV-13 and put it in a field fan or in entrance of your AC unit).
To mitigate a headache, be certain to remain hydrated. You may also use a scorching or chilly compress to scale back ache, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic. Rest in a quiet and darkish room. If mandatory, medicines like acetaminophen or ibuprofen may also assist.
It’s vital to take your publicity to wildfire smoke severely ― for the sake of your well being.
If you’re involved concerning the air high quality inside your house whereas there’s smoke within the environment, an air air purifier with a HEPA filter is the simplest in opposition to smoke. Below are among the top-rated variations on Amazon you can have shipped shortly to your house.
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Amazon
A mini air purifier that is at the moment over 20% off
Promising assessment: “Purchased this Air Purifier because it is FDA approved for killing viruses, but really found it to be so much more than just that. The automated monitoring of air quality and speed adjustment to compensate means you can just turn on the device and not think about it. If you are looking for white noise maker, just turn this on high and it does a great job at that. Finally, the 6 month filter is easy to replace and the app tells you when it’s time to do so. No more carbon vs HEPA replacements to track on different cycles, this is a once every 6 month single filter change.” — J.Goke

A whisper-quiet Blueair air purifier
Promising assessment: “The proof is in the picture. I just moved into a new apartment and noticed how incredibly dusty my room was. I bought this air purifier and have had it running non-stop since I got it which is about a week now. You can see how much the pre-filter has caught. The inside filter definitely has changed color since I first set it up. Air quality definitely has improved and there is noticeably less dust on my furniture. Very happy with this unit for a bedroom of about 130 square feet.” — Rowrowrowyourboat

Walmart
Or a highly-rated Coway air purifier for bigger areas
Promising assessment: “I bought this to keep the air clean during California wildfire season. It does the job handily in my room, which is about 300 sq ft. (and also very dusty because it is an old house and my room is a converted porch.) Each of my roommates also has one of these air purifiers, so we are all now fans (no pun intended). The setup directions were clear and the setup itself was not challenging. It is extremely easy to see how to operate the device and to understand what it is telling you about air quality.” — Heather

An air air purifier with a 360-degree consumption
Promising assessment: “This might be the best product I’ve ever owned. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s truly life changing. I have terrible allergies including being allergic to cats which I have two of. This helps tremendously. I put it in the same room as their litter boxes and the smell is completely gone. Like 100% gone. Not just masked or covered up. I’ve tried so many things to help with the smell and nothing has ever worked like this. I actually watched a clump of fur in the air get sucked into the machine… wow!! Super easy to set up, doesn’t take up too much space or look bad, love everything about it! Highly recommended especially if you have allergies and/or pets. If you’re considering getting this, get it!!!! (Also side note, I just used the regular filter that comes with this. I know they have one that’s specifically made to help with pet odors and allergies but so far I find the original one works great for me and my cats but if you have more animals or stronger odors and find the regular doesn’t work, try the pet-specific one?!) (I also use it on the highest setting and it does have a “white noise” sound to it but it doesn’t bother me personally and I don’t find it extremely loud.)” — Amanda

An air air purifier you may management out of your cellphone
Promising assessment: “We purchased this to have as an all-around home air purifier. We have one in the back of the house and one in the front. Our daughter has allergies and I have asthma and with pets we wanted to do the best we could to keep our home air as clean as possible. We keep ours in auto mode at all times. Generally it stays in a ‘good air quality’ mode and when I pass it I end up putting my hand above the output to make sure it is actually running as you cannot hear it at all. The first night we had it we made BLT’s and as always the bacon smoked up the house a little and the air purifier kicked in and went into ‘bad air quality’ mode and the house was cleared within15 minutes easily. And this was even with the air purifier in the next room over. The quality of it seems really well made, it is easy to manage and the filters are easily accessible which is nice for cleaning the large particle grate. Would definitely recommend this item to others.” — Erin

Amazon
A customizable BlueAir 211+ for big rooms
Promising assessment: “This is the best HEPA filter I’ve ever seen and the quietest! This specific model of the BlueAir Pure HEPA filter recently was rated by a well known consumer product testing website and magazine as being one of only a few recommended and those others are not silent. It is efficient on low, medium, and high fan settings. On low and medium it is truly so quiet I do not hear it operating. It is quieter than my central air unit and purifies the air in a very large room. It comes with two washable pre-filters so one can be washed and air dried while using the other. My only problem now is waiting for my other HEPA filters to die so I feel justified in replacing all of them with more like this one.” — S. Douglas