Air pollution combined with weather conditions can increase the risk of migraine attacks. Scientists from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev came to this conclusion. The results of the study were published in the journal "Neurology".
The study included health data from 7,032 people living in southern Israel. Participants were followed for an average of 10 years, comparing migraine emergency department visits to air pollution levels and weather conditions.
It found that the number of seizures increased dramatically on days of poor air quality. For example, increased nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations increased the likelihood of a migraine emergency department visit by 41%. High levels of sun exposure and UV exposure also increased the risk by about 23%.
Moreover, long-term exposure to air pollution affected the course of the disease. People who were constantly exposed to high levels of NO₂ had a 10% higher need for migraine medication. Exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) increased this figure by 9%.
The study also found that weather conditions can exacerbate the effects of pollution. Heat and dry air increased the damage from exhaust gases, while cold and wet conditions increased exposure to fine particles. According to the authors, this indicates a possible effect of climate change on the frequency of migraine.
The researchers emphasize that the study found a consistent association but does not prove direct causation. However, the results highlight the importance of considering environmental factors in migraine prevention.
