Doctor Hoang Quyet Tien, from the Medical Information Center at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that rising ambient temperatures can cause many individuals to experience throbbing pain in one or more areas of the head, which may spread to the temples and eye sockets. Headaches due to hot weather can appear suddenly, with increasing frequency and intensity. Some cases are accompanied by high fever, dizziness, weak breathing, nausea, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing.

Doctor Tien points out several reasons for headaches during prolonged hot weather.

Dehydration

During extended periods of hot weather, the body must work harder to regulate its temperature by sweating through the skin and dilating blood vessels. This process leads to a faster depletion of water and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. If insufficient water is consumed, blood volume decreases, reducing blood and oxygen flow to the brain, which can trigger a headache.

Hot weather causes dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, easily triggering headaches. AI-generated image

Exhaustion and heat stroke

When ambient temperatures rise, the body must intensify its activity to return to a normal temperature. This process can easily lead to exhaustion, with symptoms including fatigue, excessive sweating, headache, and dizziness.

Sudden changes between hot and cold environments, such as moving from bright sunlight into an air-conditioned room or vice versa, can disrupt the body's thermoregulation. Blood vessels may not adapt quickly enough, causing abnormal changes in blood flow to the brain, leading to lightheadedness and headaches.

Prolonged exposure to intense sunlight

Intense sunlight can affect the central nervous system, increasing the sensitivity of pain pathways and causing sunstroke accompanied by headaches and glare sensitivity.

Doctor Tien advises that individuals experiencing headaches due to hot weather should hydrate adequately, move to a cool place, and rest to normalize their body temperature. If the headache is severe and accompanied by dizziness, cramps, fainting, cold skin, or a rapid pulse, it is crucial to seek hospital care promptly for diagnosis and timely treatment.

To prevent headaches during hot weather, everyone should drink enough water, limit outdoor exposure during peak sun hours, cover up thoroughly when moving, and maintain a balanced diet and adequate rest. Supplementing with natural essences like blueberry and ginkgo biloba can support increased brain blood circulation and help stabilize nerve activity.

Dinh Dieu