Top Triggers for Intracranial Hypertension
It’s amazing how the slightest change can throw off your body’s natural balance. Sometimes, it isn’t so much what you do but what you don’t do. Everyone will experience different triggers that throw things off and cause symptoms to flare.
In this post, we will be going over some of the most common triggers for Intracranial Hypertension. It is important that you do not let this list intimidate you. Even in sharing the same condition, we may not all experience it the same way. We are all unique.
Learn your own body and listen to it. You may be pleasantly surprised, or you may discover some boundaries to respect.
Either way, here are some of the most commonly listed triggers among the IH community:
Weather
Many living with IH notice an increase in symptoms due to changes in the weather. Some even go as far as calling themselves a “human barometer”, as they can actually sense when a bad storm is approaching. This may have something to do with pressure changes as well as the way weather alters the chemical balance (specifically serotonin) within our brains.
While weather isn’t exactly something that can be avoided, knowing what to expect may help you be able to prepare for any adjustments you may need to make.
Perhaps knowing in advance that a bad storm is on its way might give you the chance to let your boss know you may not be able to make it to work that day. Or perhaps it might mean increasing your dose of medication a day or two before the storm hits (if advised by your doctor).
Days of high temperatures tell me to dress extra cool and pack some ice packs. Which leads me to our next trigger:
Temperature
Being from the hot and humid south, there have been so many days that I couldn’t even step outside or get into a hot car without my head instantly pounding and my pressure skyrocketing. On the other hand, a breath of fresh, cold air brought me so much relief.
Perhaps this is because heat increases blood flow and widens blood vessels, which may be the last thing you want while dealing with increased spinal fluid.
Though it seems most IH patients react negatively to heat in particular, there are some who find cold worsens their symptoms.
Just like heat dilates the blood vessels, cold constricts them. Constricted, narrowed blood vessels means increased blood pressure. Increased blood pressure can lead to increased intracranial pressure.
If this sounds like there is no safe ground with temperature, just remember that I did say our bodies have a delicate balance that can easily be thrown off. Only you will know which temperature your body can tolerate and for how long.
If heat is your trigger, cold packs, ice towels/hats, and staying in cool areas may help. If cold is your trigger, dressing in warm layers and using a space heater/ heating pad may help. Always be cautious when using heat or cold therapy for any long periods of time.
Stress
I know we all get tired of hearing our doctors blame everything on stress, but they aren’t exactly wrong.
I’ve never considered myself to be a highly stressed person. At least, I don’t feel it the way others do. But in testing times, I have found my symptoms to be much worse.
Long-term stress increases cortisol levels. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for fluid balance in the body. Increased stress = increased cortisol = increased fluid retention. And fluid retention is the last thing you want when dealing with IH.
Short-term stress is no different. Even tensing up during a wave of pressure can only make matters worse. Many report symptoms intensify while crying, in a panic, or dealing with sudden high-stress moments such as rushing to get ready for work in the morning.
Try breathing through these episodes of pain and pressure. Place yourself in an environment where you can relax as much as possible. This may be a cold, dark, quiet room. It may be playing soft music or even having the tv on if it provides a distraction. Do what you need to do.
My personal preference is to to put on instrumental worship music and just rest in God’s presence.
Some factors may be hard to avoid, such as the financial, mental, or marital stresses that come with chronic illness. In this case, do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help, whether personal help or professional.
Despite what your mind tries to tell you, know you are not a burden. There is no shame in being sick and needing help on any level.
Learn how to de-stress with Slow Down.
Hormones
There are many hormones involved with balancing our health. In fact, just about every single trigger mentioned in this post involves a fluctuation in hormones. But here are a few of the main ones known to trigger symptoms in IH:
Cortisol – As discussed above under ‘Stress’, cortisol is the hormone responsible for fluid balance within the body. But stress isn’t the only thing that increases cortisol levels. Sugar is also a major trigger (of many hormones actually), as well as sleep deprivation (which can be tricky given that IH symptoms are often worse at night).
Estrogen – Estrogen is also known to have an effect on IH symptoms. Most patients with this condition are women in their reproductive years. And many women find symptoms are significantly worse at certain parts of their cycle.
During your period, estrogen levels drop, which can trigger headaches and ultimately increased pressure. Fluid retention is also more common at this time, which again, isn’t something you want when dealing with IH.
Androgen – Androgen excess has been found to be a common factor in patients with IH.
Mood Hormones – Weather, stress, temperature, diet – I could go on and on. All of these things can affect our mood hormones (specifically serotonin and nor-epinephrine, which is also a neuro-transmitter). It can get pretty complex. This may be one reason why anti-depressants seem to be so helpful for this condition; They help control the mood hormones that may be affecting our pain and pressure.
Dietary changes and daily habits such as getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly can make quite an impact on our hormones. Other times, medication adjustments may be needed.
Medications
Birth control, steroids, antibiotics (namely doxycycline) and acne medications have all been linked to increased intracranial pressure. This does not mean you cannot take any of these. It just means that it may be trial and error depending on what your unique body can tolerate.
For example, it is often suggested to avoid NSAIDS with this condition, yet Indomethacin turned out to be my rescue drug. Some (myself included) are even given steroids like Prednisone or Dexamethasone to help break difficult episodes. (Though it is not often suggested for long-term use.)
I have also been fine on a low hormone birth control that was actually prescribed to help regulate or reduce my episodes of pressure. Meanwhile, there are lawsuits for other forms of birth control that are believed to have caused this condition in some.
So as you can see, medication tolerance is solely based on the individual. Talk to your doctor about what they feel is safe for you, and speak up if you feel your medication may be a trigger.
Physical Activity
Some movements, such as lifting, squatting, or straining may cause intracranial pressure to increase just as it would blood pressure. There doesn’t even have to be much weight to the object. Other motions, such as bending, are simply a matter of gravity affecting pressure (picture everything rushing to your head). I have even found that reaching worsens things if my pressure was already elevated.
Overexertion of any sort can definitely worsen things. This makes exercise difficult for many, especially those who are told to lose weight to help their symptoms.
A physical therapist or professional trainer may be able to help you find which exercises are more comfortable for you. While many enjoy pushing themselves during a workout, I strongly disadvise doing that while dealing with this condition. Listen to your body and do what you can when you can. If you have been told to lose weight, be encouraged to do so through your diet till exercise becomes more tolerable.
See Also: Why Weight Loss Matters
Sleep
At night, while your body is lying down for a prolonged period of time, spinal fluid production increases and re-absorption decreases. This is thought to actually help clear out the toxins that build up around your brain during the day. But it also why so many of us with IH wake up in pain, as we can’t take any extra fluid around our brains.
On top of this, the pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood also increases. And if that isn’t enough, the veins in your neck that are responsible for draining blood from your head become impaired while lying down. This disrupts spinal fluid absorption even more.
Lack of sleep is already known to cause headaches and a range of other health problems, so it’s not surprising that increased pressure would be one of them.
Sudden waking may produce a spike, and you may even find that some dreams cause your head to pound more than others.
There is also a link between sleep apnea and IH.
Some find that sleeping at an incline or on a wedge pillow helps. Some prefer different pillow types or even cervical pillows. Others undergo sleep studies or are prescribed medication to help. Talk to your doctor about what your best option may be.
Other Common Triggers
Always remember that if something can cause a headache or trigger migraine symptoms, it can likely affect your pressure as well. Other noted triggers are:
- Dehydration
- Needing to use the bathroom or waiting too long to use the bathroom
- Smells
- Loud noises
- Lights
- Screens
- Tight clothes
- Sitting too long (Read about position’s effect on spinal fluid here)
Diet
Of course, this one needs its own post, which you can read here: Dietary Triggers for Intracranial Hypertension.
In summary, we will be covering the effects of sodium, sugar, carbs, vitamin A, and more.
What triggers your IH? Let us know in the comments below!
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:8
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8 Comments
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Elizabeth Russell
Everything you wrote is exactly what I’m going through. Thanks for writing this!
April Normand
Thank you so much for visiting our site and taking the time to read! I hope this helped in some way. Please know we are here if you ever need anything!
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Ruth
Where have you been for the last 3 yrs of my life… Every symptoms you’ve described, I have had at certain points, all met with raised eye brows from others! It has gotten to a point where if anyone asks me about it, I say “I’m fine” just to avoid the eye brow raising… Really refreshing to read your articules. Thank you for writing about them
April Normand
Your comment has really touched me. I am sorry you have been through so much doubt on top of dealing with this condition. Please know I am here if you ever need to talk or discuss this condition further. Thank you for taking the time to read our posts!
J
Hi, I’ve been dealing with something similar for about 2 months now-my biggest trigger is if I have to go to the bathroom or it’s while I’m using the bathroom-a sudden excruciating headache comes and I’m immediately calling 911 or on the way to the ED as no pain med helps at that point and with a background headache everyday. My neurologist thinks it’s intracranial hypotension and not hypertension. But this is the first time I’m reading about anyone with either hypo or hypertension having bathroom use as a trigger-would I be able to discuss some stuff with you? Thank you!
Lina
Thank you!!
Had a panic-attack just the other day, and boom – dizziness, headeake and tinnitus for three days!
Great article!
Kind regards from Sweden