Seasonal and Meteorological Factors in Primary Headaches

SYNOPSIS In a retrospective survey using a standardized format, 495 patients with “primary headaches” (classic migraine, common migraine, tension headaches, and mixed headaches) were questioned about the role of the seasons and of weather changes in influencing the frequency of their headache attacks. Seasonal influences were more prominent in migraine than in the other headache syndromes, and spring exacerbetions were particularly characteristic of classic migraine. On the other hand, rapid atmospheric variations (quick weather changes) were more potent as headache triggers in mixed headaches than in classic migraine or tension headaches. These differences assist in the delineation of classic migraine as an individual entity.