Summertime should mean vacation and fun in the sun, but if you have IIH, you should take extra precautions. Headaches, migraines and aggravation of symptoms can occur anytime of the year.
Things you can do to minimize flare-ups are:
Stay hydrated: The amount of cerebrospinal fluidFluid that is made by specialized cells in the ventricles of the brain. Click the term to read more in the brain contributes to pressure changes in the brain. These changes can cause headaches and trigger migraines. Keeping your body at a healthy fluid level by drinking plenty of water can help keep your IIH symptoms in check.
Minimize Sun Exposure: Since summer days are longer and hotter, your body adapts to this increased temperature. Your blood vessels increase (dilate) to help you cool off but they also occur in the brain which can worsen IIH symptoms. If you suffer from migraines, trigger for migraines can be exposure to sunlight.
Beware of Changes in Barometric Pressure: Weather changes, travelling to a place with a different altitude, and natural disasters can provoke IIH symptoms.
Prepare for Allergy Season: Spring and summer also means peak pollen season. Trees, flowers and plants shed pollen that can trigger migraines and headaches along with many other symptoms.
Plan for Changes in Routine: If you are travelling, make sure you bring anything that helps you combat your IIH symptoms. Avoiding strong smells, changing your diet, getting plenty of sleep and staying hydrated all keep a healthy routine. Bring extra over-the-counter and prescription medications to prevent missing an important dose.
Have a happy and healthy summer!
