Ashhar Alam/New Delhi

A new study has suggested a possible link between exposure to air pollution and increased migraine activity, indicating that both short-term spikes and long-term exposure may raise the risk of attacks.

Published in the journal Neurology, the research also found that weather conditions such as high heat and humidity could further worsen migraine episodes.

According to lead author Ido Peles of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, environmental factors may influence migraine sufferers in different ways. While short-term pollution spikes could trigger attacks, longer exposure to heat and humidity may gradually increase vulnerability.

The study tracked over 7,000 migraine patients living in Be’er Sheva over a period of nearly a decade. Researchers analysed their hospital and clinic visits alongside daily air quality data, including pollutants from traffic, industry, and natural dust events, as well as weather conditions.

Findings showed that days with higher migraine-related hospital visits coincided with elevated pollution levels, particularly fine particulate matter. Long-term exposure to PM2.5 was also associated with increased use of migraine medication, while nitrogen dioxide exposure showed a similar trend.

The research further noted that environmental conditions may act together, with heat and low humidity intensifying the impact of certain pollutants, while colder and humid conditions worsened others.

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Experts say the findings could help improve forecasting of migraine risk, allowing patients and healthcare providers to take preventive measures during high-risk periods. These may include reducing outdoor exposure, using protective air filters, and starting medication at early warning signs.

Researchers also warned that worsening climate conditions, including rising temperatures and more frequent dust events, could further increase such health risks in the future.