Summer Headaches: Is the Sun Damaging Your Brain?

If you’ve ever experienced going out in the sun and ending up having pounding headaches, you’re not alone! Who knew that with sunshine, long days, beach trips, and endless fun, summer would bring something as nasty as a headache. But is it just a normal headache, or could the sun be doing more harm than you think? Let’s explore what is happening under this sun-soaked skull of yours.😜

Normal vs Extreme Exposure to Sunlight

The following chart highlights the effects of normal exposure to sunlight on the body compared to extreme or over exposure to it.

How Summer Triggers Headaches?

Do you get excited whenever the sun comes out or just by the mention of summer? I bet you’ve already started fantasizing about your long summer days, lying out on the beach under the hot, scorching sun. But what if this perfect fantasy of yours is ruined by a one painful headache? Well, nobody would want that, right?

Moreover, one of the biggest reasons behind the sudden onset of a headache is dehydration. When you’re out in the heat, your body sweats to cool down. This leads to the loss of fluids and electrolytes. If you don’t replenish these fluids, it can cause your brain to shrink and slightly pull away from the skull, resulting in the pounding sensation you feel behind your eyes.

Types of Summer Headaches

Not only dehydration, but heat stroke, and heat exhaustion can also manifest in the form of a headache. Let’s break down how each summer headache is triggered:

1-Migraine

If you’re someone who gets frequent migraines, the sun might be your biggest enemy. Summer heat, bright light, and humidity can all set off a migraine, which is much worse than a regular headache. Migraines are commonly characterized by a throbbing pain often on one side of the head that lasts for hours or sometimes even days. According to a recent study, 16 patients, 7 males and 9 females, were reported to have a migraine attack soon after exposure to the sunlight.

2-Stress Headaches

Tension headache, also called stress headache, is a common type of primary headache. It is characterized by an aching pain that feels like a tight band squeezing your head. These headaches are usually triggered by dehydration, lack of sleep, stress, and fatigue. In one community study, conducted in Malaysia, it was found that sunlight caused a headache in 51.9% of the migraine patients and 55.7% of the tension-type headache (TTH) patients.

3-Thunderclap Headaches

Thunderclap headache is one of the most severe types of headaches that can reach its maximum intensity within seconds, just like a ‘clap of thunder’. It is the worst type of headache, known for its sudden onset. Don’t forget, it is more like a symptom than a condition itself. It is usually a sign of underlying medical issues like vascular spasms (RCVS), Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, etc. Scary things for which you should seek medical attention.

Kinda worrying isn’t it? Worry not! because all you gotta know is how heat can lead to something as dreadful as this. Let’s find out! Hot weather can cause more sweating, which results in dehydration. Severe dehydration causes your blood pressure to fluctuate, which puts strain on the blood vessels and, in rare cases, leads to the above mentioned conditions. 

4-Heat Headaches

Heat induced headaches are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. They are normally characterized by a dull throbbing pain across the forehead or temples. They can be triggered by dehydration, bright sunlight, and overheating. If your headache involves nausea, fatigue, or fainting, then it could be a sign of heatstroke.

Is the Sun Really Damaging Your Brain?

Let’s get clear on one thing. No, the normal exposure to the sun doesn’t cause ‘brain damage’. In fact, normal sun exposure (<2hr) has been proven to be beneficial for our brain and body. For example, sunlight regulates the release of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that play a key role in brain health, vitamin D synthesis occurs in our body under the influence of sunlight, etc. However, prolonged sun exposure (>2hr) can harm your brain in multiple ways:

• Sunlight increases the brain temperature, which increases the cerebral blood flow and blood temperature.
• Natural sunlight has UV radiations, which can damage skin cells, which often leads to skin cancer. 
• UV radiation can affect the brain, causing inflammation and neuronal damage.

Beat the Throb – Easy Ways to Avoid Headaches

No matter how painful these summer headaches are, there’s always a way to prevent them. Here are some easy tips to stay pain-free this summer:

1. Try staying indoors in extreme hot weather. 
2. Stay hydrated. Have at least 8 glasses of water a day. 
3. Avoid direct sun exposure by wearing sunglasses and a hat. 
4. Take cool showers and wear light, breathable clothes.
5. Get enough sleep and rest.

Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Not sure if your headache is summer-related? Here are a few signs that tell that it’s not just a headache, but something serious:

• Sudden and severe headache
• Headache with nausea or blurred vision
• Fever or neck pain
• Dizziness and fatigue 

In case your headache is accompanied by the above mentioned signs, it’s time to seek medical help.

Don’t Let the Heat Ruin Your Summer!

It is important to understand that headaches should never be ignored. Trust me, you can save yourself from much bigger problems by paying a little attention to your uninvited headaches. They’re your body’s way of telling you that there’s something off. Be it dehydration, heatstroke, lack of sleep, or too much sun, your head is always finding ways to protect your brain. So, the next time you’re out in the sun and a sudden headache creeps in, don’t brush it off but take it as a reminder that your body needs rest. Remember, a headache isn’t trying to ruin your summer; it’s trying to protect it. You want to beat the heat? Check out these top 10 ways to beat the heat. We can help you cool down.