This winter, I’ve had many more issues with changes in atmospheric pressure than ever before. And in fact, on the day of this writing, we are experiencing in the Midwest what is called a Bomb Cyclone, a meteorological event characterized by an extreme drop in barometric pressure. So I am devoting this post to sharing what I’ve learned about what happens to your body when you experience changes in atmospheric pressure, and what can help with the attendant discomfort.
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Table of Contents
Who is Betsy Leighton?
I’m a writer, blogger, and healer dedicated to helping individuals reconnect with their innate peace and wholeness by healing nervous system dysregulation. My personal experience with chronic illness called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) shapes my work, and my content offers tools to empower those with chronic illness to improve their well-being and take charge of their health.
I created the Sacred Self-Healing Method and am a trained and certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider, an author, blogger, and A Course in Miracles Teacher. I hold a Master of Divinity in Spiritual Counseling and am a trained spiritual mentor, with certificates in sound healing, aromatherapy, nutrition, and Sacred Deathcare. I offer a self-study certificate program in the Sacred Self-Healing Method, provide spiritual counseling and coaching, courses, and supported subscriptions for the Safe and Sound Protocol.
What is MCAS?
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a chronic condition that affects all organ systems. It can cause severe, disabling symptoms every day, including potentially fatal anaphylaxis.
The common triggers for MCAS are infections, toxic exposures including mold exposure and EMFs, trauma, concussions, and stress.
MCAS often occurs with other chronic conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). Managing MCAS is challenging because many healthcare providers are unaware of it, and diagnostic tests can be unreliable. Treatments include antihistamines and mast cell stabilizers in the form of medications and supplements, along with avoiding triggers. Check out this post on managing MCAS.
What is atmospheric pressure?
Atmospheric pressure is the force exerted by the weight of the air in Earth’s atmosphere on everything at the surface.
So, the context for this post is the effect of atmospheric pressure on our bodies, specifically on people’s bodies who have Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, or MCAS.
Headaches
Changes in atmospheric pressure are well known to cause headaches. As I mentioned in this post about headaches, the first place I check is the weather app on my phone to see whether atmospheric pressure is rising, falling, or stable.
The Connection Between Atmospheric Pressure and Headaches
I’ve noticed a pattern: when the atmospheric pressure rises or falls, I often get a headache. Specifically, increasing pressure causes a headache concentrated at the top of my head, while falling pressure results in a more diffuse headache throughout my head. What Causes This?
Several sources offer explanations for this phenomenon:
- Blood Vessel Compression/Dilation:Â A study from Japan suggests that atmospheric pressure changes “compress or dilate human blood vessels,” which in turn causes “abnormality in blood flow and induces migraine.”
- Sinus Pressure: Another theory is that changes in “Barometric pressure (and humidity) can change the pressure from the air to the sinus cavity.” Since the pain receptors in the sinuses overlap with those that contribute to migraines, even a small change can trigger headaches.
- Inner Ear Imbalance: According to Medical News Today, shifts in atmospheric pressure can create an “imbalance in the pressure within the sinus cavities and the structures and chambers of the inner ear, resulting in pain.”
Treatment Options
If you experience headaches related to atmospheric pressure changes, the treatment approach is similar to that for other migraines. The American Migraine Foundation recommends the same medications, highlighting “the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen, naproxen, and others) and the triptans (sumatriptan and others) being the most important medications.”
If you react to NSAIDS or triptans, then here are some other options:
- Herb Pharm Head Soother
- Using your rescue plan medications or supplements
- Planning for downtime if atmospheric changes are forecast
- Antinausea medications
- Ice packs applied to the head
- Relaxation techniques
- Avoiding your other MCAS triggers (so you aren’t dealing with more than a headache)
- Limiting physical activity and exertion
- Taking a warm, relaxing bath or shower
- Getting plenty of rest
- Avoiding noisy or brightly lit areas
- Maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Inflammation
Frequent changes in atmospheric pressure frequently cause me to experience general inflammation. Specifically, a drop in atmospheric pressure can lead to swelling in the joints and previously injured areas because the external pressure against the body is reduced. As noted by PsychCentral, this swelling increases inflammation, which requires greater hormone use to manage the heightened activity. Over time, this increased hormonal demand can potentially lead to depletion.
This inflammation creates a self-perpetuating cycle. When any part of the body is inflamed, mast cells gather and signal the brain, alerting it to a threat. Therefore, inflammation triggered by atmospheric pressure changes automatically activates mast cells in those same areas. This activation then triggers further inflammation, perpetuating the cycle.
To manage the discomfort from atmospheric pressure changes, I’ve found a few strategies helpful. Anecdotally, warm baths are soothing, possibly because the water pressure may counteract the lower atmospheric pressure. I’ve also read that pressure stockings, NSAIDs, and staying active can provide relief.
Ultimately, utilizing your existing rescue plan medications may be effective in breaking this cycle of inflammation and mast cell activation.
Pain
As I discuss this post on pain, there are many ways that pain can manifest for people with MCAS, and changes in atmospheric pressure can be a pain trigger for those with MCAS. One study showed that lower atmospheric pressure was associated with increased pain intensity and discomfort.
Atmospheric pressure changes are theorized to affect pain levels through several mechanisms.
One theory suggests that a drop in atmospheric pressure can deplete cortisol, a stress hormone vital for pain management, immune function, and energy. This depletion can disrupt the body’s natural pain management system.
Another proposed mechanism is that “Changes in atmospheric pressure may affect the resistance of fluids in the joints. This then activates the pain reactions of the nerves in your joints.” (Source: Dr. Lam Coaching)
Suggestions for managing pain in this context include:
- Using NSAIDs, if tolerated.
- Taking rescue medications to interrupt the pain/inflammation/mast cell activation cycle.
- Supporting healthy cortisol levels through strategies such as:
- Dietary adjustments: Cycle carbohydrates by eating lower-carb in the morning and moderate carbs later in the day to help “reset” the cortisol curve.
- Supplements: Consider supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, and vitamin B5.
- Lifestyle: Ensure adequate hydration, practice relaxation techniques, and maintain healthy sleep habits.
Brain and mood
I’ve also read that there is a relationship between changes in atmospheric pressure and impulsivity.
Barometric pressure changes appear to influence both mood and cognition. According to Dr. Lawrence Weinstein, chief medical officer at American Addiction Centers, shifts in air pressure can affect the brain and emotional state. Specifically, a drop in barometric pressure (often preceding a storm) has been linked to an increase in impulsive behavior, resulting in more emergency psychiatric visits and violent incidents.
Personally, I’ve observed an increase in my own anxiety during changes in atmospheric pressure. However, scientific literature presents a more nuanced view. For instance, a highly cited study indicated that rising barometric pressure correlated with improved concentration, decreased sleepiness, and a greater sense of control, suggesting an association with better alertness and confidence.
Despite some scientific findings suggesting improved mood with rising pressure, I have encountered numerous anecdotal reports connecting anxiety with changing atmospheric pressure.
How Atmospheric Pressure Impacts Health
Blood Pressure
Changes in atmospheric pressure can influence blood pressure. Research has indicated an “inverse relationship between atmospheric pressure and blood pressure during the spring days and, only for systolic blood pressure, during winter nights.” This suggests that as atmospheric pressure changes, so too does blood pressure.
One possible explanation is that external pressure on veins affects the strength and rate of your heart, as well as the condition of your blood vessels.
Note: Specific treatments for blood pressure changes due to atmospheric pressure are not widely documented. Consult with your doctor if you experience this issue.
Immunity
Atmospheric pressure changes may also impact the immune system, potentially making individuals more susceptible to illness. For people with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), illness can trigger a worsening of symptoms as mast cells become activated.
Furthermore, “Changes in barometric pressure provide the ideal cold weather environment that increases the transmission of the cold virus.” High stress levels can raise cortisol levels, which suppress the immune system. A compromised immune system lowers resistance to viruses, increasing the likelihood of getting sick.
The bucket theory
The bucket theory simplifies understanding symptom reactions with MCAS. Imagine your body as an empty bucket you don’t want to overflow. Reactions to various stimuli fill the histamine bucket at different rates, forming the total histamine level (how full your bucket is). More histamine means more symptoms. By managing triggers, reducing exposures, and taking medications and supplements, you can control your bucket’s level.
Know your typical symptom progression
Understanding your symptom progression during a flare is key to developing your rescue plan. This post discusses how to recognize symptom progression so you can be prepared to address them.
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I’ve found the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to be the most helpful bottom-up healing strategy if your nervous system has been overloaded with toxic exposures, including mold or non-native EMFs, chronic infections, concussions, stress, or trauma. The SSP is a passive listening therapy that helps heal nervous system dysregulation. Many people with MCAS and other chronic conditions have nervous system dysregulation stemming from infections, toxic exposures, concussions, and trauma. The SSP is an easy-to-use app that lets you listen to specially filtered music for 30 minutes each day as part of a 5-hour cycle. Studies show the SSP has a profound effect on mental health and chronic conditions. Here’s a short podcast describing the Safe and Sound Protocol.
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While the SSP is a bottom-up, somatic therapy for healing the nervous system, the Sacred Self-Healing Method I offer is a top-down nervous system-healing modality that focuses on cognition, attention, perception, and emotion, using the mind’s higher functions. The SSP and the Sacred Self-Healing Method complement each other and together produce lasting results. Here’s a short podcast on my self-healing practice.
I provide one-on-one in-person and remote chronic illness and caregiver coaching, as well as Sacred Self-Healing Sessions based on the Sacred Self-Healing Method, a proven, novel co-creative healing modality detailed in my Books.
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My latest book, Living In The Light: Healing with Forgiveness, Sound, and Light, is all about the tools that have been most helpful for me to heal: forgiveness, sound, through nervous system retraining using the Safe and Sound Protocol, and light, through entraining my circadian rhythm with the energy of the sun. Living In The Light is available here!
Rocks and Roots chronicles my solo backpacking journey on the Superior Hiking Trail and my efforts to overcome nervous system dysregulation, gut dysbiosis, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome symptoms to complete the 328-mile hike successfully.
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Disclaimer
The preceding material does not constitute medical advice. This information is for information purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, cure, or treatment.
