US Neurology Expert: "Migraine Patients Are Meteorologists"
Hormonal Effects from Sudden Temperature Changes and Weather Anomalies
Research Shows Climate Change Worsens Brain Disorders
A study has found that climate change can worsen migraine symptoms. On the 16th (local time), the US NBC reported, "The number of Americans experiencing disruptions in daily life or decreased productivity due to migraines has surged recently," adding, "Climate change may be a cause."
According to the report "Prevalence and Burden of Migraine in the United States" recently published in the International Journal of Headache, the proportion of severe migraines among US adults nearly doubled from 22% in 2004 to 42.4% in 2018. However, the overall prevalence of migraines did not change significantly during the same period. Fred Cohen, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, explained, "Over the past 20 years, the average monthly frequency of headaches among migraine patients has steadily increased," adding, "Especially, the number of men suffering from headaches has risen sharply."
Regarding this trend, Dr. Cohen pointed to 'climate change' as one of the causes. He said, "Migraine patients are much like meteorologists because their symptoms respond very sensitively to weather changes," and added, "The recent global increase in migraine disability, not only in the US but worldwide, can be linked to climate change." Timothy Collins, Professor of Neurology at Duke University School of Medicine, also cited 'weather anomalies caused by climate change' such as extreme heat or cold, intense sunlight and glare, and high humidity.
Changes in meteorological conditions greatly affect human brain neurotransmitters and hormone secretion. In particular, when migraine patients experience sudden temperature fluctuations and weather anomalies, hormone levels such as serotonin?which regulate human emotions, moods, and desires?become unstable. This can lead to an increased frequency of migraine attacks.
A recent paper by researchers at University College London (UCL), published in The Lancet Neurology, also warned that climate change can exacerbate brain diseases including migraines, strokes, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.
Sanjeev Sisodiya, the lead author of the paper and a professor at UCL's Queen Square Institute of Neurology, stated, "There is clear evidence that climate affects certain brain diseases, especially strokes and neurological infections." He added, "Climate change impacting brain diseases involves extreme temperatures and large seasonal temperature variations," emphasizing, "The effects are even greater when linked to unusual situations that do not match the season."
What about South Korea? According to a 2019 survey on the quality of life of migraine patients by the Korean Headache Society, the proportion of patients in Korea who have experienced absenteeism or inability to perform household chores due to migraines increased 2.5 times from 12.1% in 2009 to 31.2% in 2019. When extrapolated to the entire population, the number of patients suffering from severe migraines that significantly disrupt daily life approaches 2.6 million in South Korea alone.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
