Doctor issues heat warning to millions with common ailment: 'People suffer more when it gets hot'

Daily Mail​

01-05-2025

This week's heatwave could leave millions of patients more vulnerable to migraines, a medic warns.
Thousands have flocked to parks and beer gardens to bask in the UK's sweltering heat, with some parts of the country set to reach 29C (84f).
But as the mercury rises so does the risk of people with migraines suffering an attack.
Dr Steve Allder, a neurologist, said 'People find that they get more migraines when it gets hot.'
High temperatures can cause blood vessels to constrict and expand and this fluctuation in blood flow to the brain can contribute to the agonising headaches.
Additionally, hotter weather increases the risk of dehydration, which can make your brain tissues shrink and pull away from your skull, putting pressure on nerves and increasing the risk of a migraine.
In the UK, migraines affect an estimated 10million people aged 15-69 — almost a quarter of the adult population.
GP Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp advised staying in the shade, donning sunglasses, maintaining hydration levels, to help reduce the chances of a heat-induced migraine.
She suggested that if you feel a headache or migraine brewing, it's best to seek out a cool, quiet spot, according to Surrey Live.
Dr Allder also added that those with multiple sclerosis (MS), a neurological condition that affects nerve function, 'will have far less resilience' to cope with temperature changes.
He said MS symptoms can temporarily worsen in heat as increased body temperature causes signals to slow down in already damaged nerves.
This leads to issues like fatigue, vision problems, or weakness but typically improves once the body cools down.
And if you've ever wondered why you're more likely to get cranky in the blazing heat, it all comes down to how hard our body works to regulate our body temperature.
A&E doctor, Dr Mark Cox explained: 'Heat can amplify reactivity in the brain's emotion centre, the amygdala, and reduce the calming influence of the parasympathetic nervous system.
'That makes people more prone to irritability, impulsiveness and even aggression,' A&E doctor, he told Metro.
Hot weather can also pose a risk for people taking antidepressants.
Dr Sameer Sanghvi, GP at Lloyds Pharmacy Online warned: 'Common antidepressants can all stop the temperature-regulating area of the brain from functioning as it should.
'Serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are some of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants.'
One in six people in England are on antidepressants, official NHS data suggests.
Today marks the UK's hottest day of 2025 so far for the fourth consecutive day, after highs of 26.7C (80.1F), 24.9C (76.8F) and 24.5C (76.1F) for the past three days.
The warm weather continues tomorrow with 26C (79F) highs before temperatures drop this weekend with 19C (66F) on Saturday and 16C (61F) on Sunday.
Bank Holiday Monday will also be significantly cooler with highs of just 14C (57F) before next Tuesday and Wednesday get up to only 15C (59F) or 16C (61F).