Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Is climate a factor? (Regardless of equator)
        
(Message started by: Kosta on Mar 15^th, 2007, 4:55pm)

Title: Is climate a factor? (Regardless of equator)
Post by Kosta on Mar 15^th, 2007, 4:55pm

Many of us heard that Cluster cases are less prevalent in areas located closer to the equator. This is because the pattern of days changes less between the seasons towards the equator. Hypothalamus, which is believed to be responsible for CH, is involved in keeping up with daily rythm of the body, and thus affected by these changes.

However, my question is:
Does change in climate/place of living affect CH cycles, regardless of the proxymity to the eqator?

I myself live in Israel and suffer from episodic CH for 8 years now with a cycle repeating every fall (October). Two years ago (summer 2005) I lived for two months in Switzerland (July-September), my first time abroad. The same year after I was back I had no cycle! The next year, the cycle was back as usual. I had some pondering on the issue, but didn't attribute any sugnificance to the case.

Couple of days ago I was at my neurologist, and met a man who also suffers CH. He told me he had cycles each and every year for the last 30 years, whith a single exception: The one year he spent in US, he missed a cycle!

Take into account that both Switzerland and most of the US are more northern than Israel.

So, does moving to a new place can prevent a cycle?
Is it because different people are harmfully affected by different climates?
Or is it because of new impressions and experiences you get from visiting new places (which could also affect hormonal balance)?

Another question I have is:
Does intense aerobic sports, like running, swimming, biking etc. can affect CH attacks/cycles?

Any comments, opinions, examples are welcome, of course. ;)

Title: Re: Is climate a factor? (Regardless of equator)
Post by Rosybabe on Mar 15^th, 2007, 7:29pm

Hi!

I have been an episodic for over 20 years, and I have been in three different countries..Mexico, Spain, USA...(Mexico most of my life, Spain for 1 year and USA for the last 12)
I always had my cycles, I only skip one, and it was when I got pregnant..
I really don't think where you live matters, but I have never been passing the ecuador.(south).so it is still a question.
I do think that changes can bring up or make you skip a cycle, like when I went to college I got 2 cycles instead of one , the same next year until I finished college (5 years)..Then after I had my baby, the first 2 years of her life I had again 2 cycles instead of 1, its like I got used to have her and I return to my usual 1 cycle per year.

Title: Re: Is climate a factor? (Regardless of equator)
Post by Kosta on Mar 16^th, 2007, 5:20am

Which brings me to another question.
And I hope you don't take it as inappropriate.

What's worse, based on you experience: Giving birth or having the worst CH attack you've ever had?