Can Air Pollution and Heat Trigger Migraines? With Prof Gal Ifergane
Can migraines be triggered by what's happening in the environment around us?
In this episode of Causes or Cures, Dr. Eeks talks with Professor Gal Ifergane about his research examining the relationship between migraines and environmental exposures, including air pollution, heat, solar radiation, and weather conditions.
Many people with migraines report being able to "feel a storm coming" before an attack. But is there scientific evidence that environmental factors can influence migraine risk?
Professor Ifergane discusses findings suggesting that environmental conditions may help lower the threshold for migraine attacks in people who are already susceptible. The conversation explores the concept of migraine as a threshold disorder, where both biological predisposition and environmental triggers may interact to influence when an attack occurs.
Topics discussed include:
• The relationship between migraines and air pollution
• Heat, sunlight, and solar radiation as potential migraine triggers
• Whether weather-related migraines are real or simply anecdotal
• How researchers study environmental exposures and migraine risk
• The concept of migraine as a threshold disorder
• Genetics versus environmental influences
• Why migraine sufferers may want to pay attention to air quality as well as weather
• What these findings may mean for people living with migraines
If you've ever wondered whether migraines are influenced by more than what's happening inside the brain, this episode explores the growing evidence that the world around us may play a role as well.
About Professor Gal Ifergane
Professor Gal Ifergane is a neurologist, headache specialist, and clinical researcher who serves as Head of the Neurology Department and Chair of the Brain Medicine Division at Soroka Medical Center in Be'er Sheva, Israel. He is also a faculty member at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
His clinical and research interests include migraines, headache disorders, stroke, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and environmental influences on neurological health. Professor Ifergane has conducted extensive research on the epidemiology of migraines and the factors that may influence migraine risk and severity, including air pollution, heat exposure, and other environmental conditions.
Through his work, he seeks to better understand how the environment interacts with the brain and how these insights can improve prevention and treatment strategies for people living with migraine and other neurological disorders.
Work with me? Perhaps we are a good match.
Keep Causes or Cures Ad-Free with Listener Support
You can contact Dr. Eeks at bloomingwellness.com.
Follow Eeks on Instagram here.
On X.
Follow Public Health is Weird
Or Facebook here.
On Youtube.
Or TikTok.
SUBSCRIBE to her Newsletter here! (the bits not posted on socia media)
More From Current Show
Related Episodes
