The heat the D.C. region has been experiencing can lead to more headaches and migraines than normal, according to a local physician.
“Heat can definitely cause people to have more headaches,” said Dr. Rachel Marquez, an adult and family medicine physician at Kaiser Permanente in Virginia.
Many patients tend to get more headaches during the summer. The number one reason is dehydration.
Keep electrolyte drinks on hand or add supplements to your water to stay hydrated.
Too much sunlight can be a trigger for patients who are light sensitive. Sunburns can also cause headaches, so wear sunblock or find some shade.
Heat-related headaches can feel like a dull pain or pressure around your whole head. Migraines feel like a throbbing, intense pain with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or significant sensitivity to light and noise.
If you get a heat-induced headache or migraine, find somewhere with air conditioning to cool off. You can take Tylenol, ibuprofen, or prescribed migraine medication. A cold, wet washcloth on your neck or forehead can also help.