Skiing & Migraines

Have fun on the mountain without the stress of migraines.

You have just got to the top of the ski lift and are ready to ski down to the bottom of the mountain. You are gliding through the trees on the perfect powder. You are having the time of your life, until the pain comes. You get a migraine in your head. These type of headaches are no fun, especially on the ski slopes. However, there are many steps you can take from preventing these migraines from happening.

Know Your Limits

One big way to prevent migraines on the ski slopes is to only go down the slopes that you feel most comfortable with. If you are a novice skier and are looking to go down the double-diamond slope, the stress of going down a slope that is beyond your level could give you a migraine. Furthermore, by going down a slope that is beyond your level, you stand a larger chance of falling off your skis, which is a recipe for a migraine, too.

Wear Appropriate Clothing

If you decide to go skiing in jeans without a comfortable jacket, beanie or snow goggles, then you have no one to blame but yourself for the impending migraine. The wetness and coldness of the mountains can give you a migraine because your body's immune system has been weakened.

Make sure you are always wearing a ski jacket, as they will protect your upper body from the elements of the snow. In terms of your lower body, never wear jeans, as they become more easily wet than actual ski pants. More importantly, make sure you are always wearing protective head gear. Whether it is a simple beanie or a full-on ski mask, these will protect the area of your body which is most prone to migraines.

Take It Slower

The mountains are unique in the sense that they can have drastic elevational differences over a small area of land. In terms of the skier, this means your body adjusts itself more rapidly, increasing the risk of altitude sickness. To prevent this, don't speed too much down the slopes, as the elevational differences from the top of the ski lift to the bottom of the slope can weaken your immune system with heavy altitude sickness. This, in turn, makes you more prone to a headache. Instead, take the slopes slowly so your body can more easily adjust itself to the elevational changes.

Drink Lots of Water

Another cause of migraines on the ski slopes is dehydration. Even though you are surrounded by water while you are skiing on the snowy slopes, you can still become dehydrated because you are being active in at least a couple layers of clothing. To prevent this, always carry a gallon of water with you. By hydrating yourself, you are also strengthening your immune system which can fend off against migraines.

Take the Slopes Less Traveled

Migraines can also come from skiers who feel stressed about by the crowdedness of the slopes. The thoughts of faster skiers and snowboarders cutting across them and almost tipping them over can give them stress. This stress, in turn, puts more pressure on the brain, which can result in a migraine. If this is an issue for you, find slopes which don't attract too many crowds. The thought of skiing on an emptier slope without hoards of crazy skiers around you can help your mind relax.

References

• Family Doctor: High-Altitude Illness
• Everyday Health: 10 Tips for Taming Migraines