A migraine is a severe, recurrent, throbbing headache that typically develops on one side of the head. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light. Unlike regular headaches, migraines may last anywhere from a few hours to days, disrupting daily routine. Due to its severity, one may consider making some changes to avoid migraine triggers, which include environmental factors. Based on this, here are unfavorable cities for people with migraines.

Unfavorable cities
The following cities ranked poorly on the best cities scale, making them the most unfavorable for those with migraines:

1. Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
The lifestyle factors, such as long commute times, overtime hours, and stress levels in Cincinnati, take it to the top of the list of unfavorable cities to live in for people with migraines. Additionally, the city’s local food features several trigger foods that can contribute to a higher frequency of migraines. Recently, there has also been an increased risk of climate change, leading to winter warming, heavy rains, and floods, which could trigger a migraine.

2. Madison, WI
Madison, Wisconsin, has a higher number of reported migraines or headaches per capita. This could be due to the unfavorable weather conditions (large seasonal temperature variance) in the city. The situation may also be further compounded by the high intake of trigger foods in the area, such as chocolates and pizzas.

3. Little Rock, AR
Little Rock ranks high on the list of unfavorable cities for people with migraine to live in due to its rapidly changing weather. The city experiences extreme heat in the summer months. Due to changes in barometric pressure, it is also highly susceptible to frequent thunderstorms, which may trigger migraine attacks.

4. Knoxville, TN
Cities in Tennessee have reported high barometric pressure changes, which could be linked to a change in weather conditions. Additionally, several lifestyle factors, such as long work hours, commute time, and food habits, can make matters worse for those with migraines. A combination of these factors has landed Knoxville on the list of unfavorable cities for people with migraines.

5. St. Louis, MO-IL
St. Louis is home to frequent weather changes, which could negatively impact those dealing with migraines. These changes are linked to barometric pressure drops, which could give rise to migraine symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, numbness in the face or neck, pain (on both sides of the head), and increased sensitivity to light. Further, the city of St. Louis is known for its busy life, which can increase the risk of stress, which is one of the top triggers of migraine headaches.

6. Nashville, TN
Nashville, too, has a high number of environmental factors that earn the city its place on this list. According to some studies, the city’s barometric pressure has been listed as a potential trigger for migraine headaches. The city is also home to unfavorable climate conditions, including frequent changes, extreme heat, and an increased likelihood of storms, which make it unfavorable for those living with migraines.

7. Johnson City-Kingsport, TN, and Bristol, VA
Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol are tied for seventh position on the list of most unfavorable cities for people with migraines. This is largely due to environmental factors such as extreme weather and barometric pressure, eating habits, and lifestyle factors such as high stress levels, which could potentially act as migraine triggers.

8. Chattanooga, TN
Chattanooga is the fourth Tennessee city on this list. According to experts, most weather-triggered migraine attacks are a result of barometric pressure changes that lead to transitions in weather. Chattanooga experiences several pressure changes a year, increasing the risk of headaches and other symptoms for those with migraines.

9. Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC
Due to lifestyle factors such as high stress levels and eating habits, the areas of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson also rank high on the list of unfavorable cities for those with migraines.

10. Canton-Massillon, OH
People in the city of Canton have reported high stress levels and irregular sleep patterns. Experts suggest that this may be a result of economic factors, which can contribute to an increased frequency of migraine headaches.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, was also featured on this list due to its environmental factors that could trigger migraines. Other cities that rank high on this list include Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. According to the CDC, people living in these cities had more reports of trouble sleeping per capita, adding to stress levels and increasing the likelihood of migraines.

Criteria for the ratings
The ranking is based on a study conducted by BestPlaces. The platform used the following criteria to rank 110 cities from most to least favorable for those living with migraines:

– The prevalence of certain migraine-related prescriptions filled per capita
– Lifestyle factors that may contribute to migraines such as hours worked, overtime worked, plane travel, frequency of vigorous exercise, frequency of having trouble sleeping, and frequency of sunburn
– Exposure to environmental factors that may trigger migraines, such as barometric pressure changes (measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere), rapidly changing weather, extreme temperatures, divorce rate, and commute time
– High intake of migraine-triggering foods such as citrus fruits and juices, cheese, chocolate, pickles, sour cream, nuts, pizza, coffee, tea, cola, foods with nitrates in them, hot dogs, sausages, peanut butter, and more

Based on these factors, some of the most favorable cities for migraine sufferers include New Haven-Bridgeport-Stamford and Boston-Worcester-Lawrence, CT; McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX; El Paso, TX; Salinas, CA; Miami, FL; Honolulu, HI; Los Angeles, CA; Fresno, CA.

Studies have found that mountainous regions are more likely to experience barometric pressure changes, increasing the frequency or severity of migraines. This factor dissipated significantly in areas that were flat and had a gentler climate, such as the Pacific Northwest. Those looking to relocate must look for a city with the fewest environmental triggers and the best access to healthcare. Nevertheless, lifestyle factors that act as triggers can often be controlled by modifying eating habits and inculcating a self-care routine that may reduce the frequency of migraines.