Dr Poonam C Awatare, Specialist Neurologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, warns that rising temperatures, dehydration and disrupted sleep may increase migraine attacks, urging patients to recognise early warning signs and take preventive measures.

Dubai: For many people living with migraines, the arrival of summer in the UAE brings more than soaring temperatures and humidity. It can also mean an increase in severe headaches, sensitivity to light, nausea and other debilitating symptoms that interfere with work, family life and daily activities.

While some patients may attribute these episodes to stress or exhaustion, medical research suggests that high ambient temperatures and changes in environmental conditions may contribute to migraine attacks in susceptible individuals.

Dr Poonam C Awatare, Specialist Neurologist at International Modern Hospital Dubai, said patients frequently report an increase in migraine symptoms during hotter months, and growing scientific evidence supports a relationship between heat exposure and headache-related healthcare visits.

“Many migraine sufferers report an increase in headache frequency during the hotter months, and there is scientific evidence suggesting that high temperatures can contribute to migraine attacks. Several studies have found associations between rising ambient temperatures and increased emergency department visits or healthcare consultations for headaches and migraines,” she explained.

Can rising temperatures actually trigger migraines?

According to Dr Awatare, migraines are neurological episodes influenced by a combination of genetic, biological and environmental factors.

Although heat does not trigger migraines in everyone, elevated temperatures may contribute to attacks in people who are particularly sensitive to environmental changes.

“Research published in neurology and environmental health journals has demonstrated links between higher ambient temperatures and increased migraine occurrence,” she said.

She explained that some studies suggest even relatively modest increases in temperature may be associated with higher rates of headache-related healthcare visits among vulnerable individuals.

However, the relationship is complex, and temperature is only one of several possible triggers.

Dehydration: An overlooked migraine trigger

One of the main concerns during the UAE summer is dehydration, particularly among people who spend long hours outdoors, exercise in hot conditions or do not drink sufficient fluids throughout the day.

Excessive sweating can lead to fluid loss, which may contribute to headaches and trigger migraine attacks in susceptible individuals.

Dr Awatare emphasised that maintaining adequate hydration is an important part of migraine management, especially during periods of intense heat.

Patients should drink fluids regularly, adjust their intake according to activity levels and avoid prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures.

Why poor sleep can make migraines worse

High temperatures may also affect migraine sufferers indirectly by disrupting sleep patterns.

Difficulty sleeping, irregular bedtimes and inadequate rest are recognised migraine triggers for some patients.

During summer, changes in daily routines, travel schedules and sleeping environments may increase susceptibility to attacks.

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, getting sufficient rest and keeping sleeping environments comfortably cool can help reduce exposure to these triggers.

Is your headache a migraine or heat exhaustion?

Dr Awatare highlighted the importance of recognising that not every headache occurring during hot weather is necessarily a migraine.

Migraine attacks commonly involve moderate to severe head pain, often accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and sometimes visual or sensory disturbances known as aura.

Heat exhaustion, on the other hand, may cause headaches alongside dizziness, weakness, heavy sweating, nausea and other symptoms related to overheating.

The two conditions can share certain symptoms, making medical assessment important when the cause is unclear.

A sudden, extremely severe headache, new neurological weakness, confusion, fainting or a headache associated with high fever and neck stiffness requires urgent medical evaluation.

Why keeping a migraine diary matters

One of the most practical strategies for people experiencing recurrent migraines is identifying their personal triggers.

Dr Awatare recommends recording headache frequency, duration, severity and possible contributing factors, including temperature changes, dehydration, sleep patterns and environmental conditions.

“Keep a migraine diary to identify personal triggers, including temperature changes, dehydration, sleep disruption, or specific environmental conditions,” she advised.

Tracking these patterns can help patients and their doctors determine whether migraine attacks become more frequent during hotter periods and identify opportunities for prevention.

Should migraine patients prepare before summer?

Dr Awatare advised people with frequent or disabling migraine attacks to review their treatment plans with a healthcare professional before periods of extreme heat.

“Patients with frequent or severe migraines should discuss preventive treatment options with their healthcare provider before the summer season begins,” she said.

Preventive management may include lifestyle adjustments and, when clinically appropriate, prescription medications or other evidence-based migraine treatments.

She also cautioned against relying excessively on over-the-counter painkillers, as frequent use of certain headache medications can contribute to medication-overuse headaches.

Prevention starts with recognising the pattern

Dr Awatare stressed that people living with migraines should not simply accept recurring summer headaches as an unavoidable consequence of living in a hot climate.

Understanding individual triggers, maintaining hydration, protecting sleep routines and seeking appropriate neurological care can help reduce the burden of migraine attacks.

“Recognising the relationship between environmental conditions and migraine symptoms is an important step towards better management. Patients who experience frequent or severe attacks should seek medical advice rather than waiting for their symptoms to become increasingly disruptive,” she concluded.