In Britain heavy snowstorms, the heaviest in about 20 years, have provided the opportunity for keen photographers to get picture-perfect postcard scenes, even around the normally snow-free London. But icy roads and slippery footpaths make moving around a dangerous proposition. And the extra cold temperatures of the northern hemisphere winter have claimed the lives of many older people with poor immune systems.

During summertime, in all Australian states, we’re used to the occasional really hot days; but the 40-plus degrees of so many consecutive days in the south and east of Australia have caused heat stress to many thousands, and scores of deaths as well.

Even so, it’s in the more tropical north of the country where apparent climate change could lead to diseases more commonly associated with developing countries. It seems northern Queensland is in the grip of a dengue fever epidemic. More than 200 cases of dengue have been identified in Cairns and another 30 or so in Townsville.

Dengue fever is carried by mosquitoes. So the only way to prevent dengue (there is no really effective treatment) is not to get bitten and to prevent the mosquitoes breeding.

An insect repellent is essential if you’re travelling to or through the high risk area, or indeed, if you live there permanently. Keeping our house and public places free of stagnant water – the “breeding ground” of the dengue mosquito – will also help manage the problem.

Meanwhile, malaria, usually considered a serious risk only in certain parts of Asia and Africa, is making somewhat of a “comeback” in other areas. (Centuries ago it used to exist in epidemic proportions, even in the cooler climates of Europe.)

The malaria mosquito belongs to a different family from that which transmits dengue, but changing weather patterns could put Australians at risk of this disease at home, not just when travelling overseas.

So, weather has a significant role in global health. Less spectacular and more subtle weather changes can also be responsible for some adverse health consequences on us as individuals.

Temperature, air pressure, and altitude changes are among the many and varied trigger factors for migraine.

Migraine is not just a bad headache, although the pain is usually very severe. Often there are other symptoms, too – so-called prodromal symptoms – up to 24 hours before the migraine starts. These warning signs include mood swings, changes in appetite, thirst and sleepiness.

A migraine might last several hours or several days; and the pain can put severe limitations on normal activities.

Successful treatments will vary from person to person. For people who suffer migraine regularly and frequently, a number of preventive strategies are available. For some people a simple combination of paracetamol and an antinauseant called metoclopramide gives fast effective relief. (This product is now available without prescription). A group of prescription medicines known as triptans have proven to be effective for relief of severe migraine pain.

Now recent research has suggested a medicine used to treat schizophrenia might provide faster pain relief for migraine sufferers. The active ingredient, known as loxapine, is inhaled directly into the lungs in a similar way to asthma inhalers.

Loxapine belongs to a class of compounds called dopamine receptor antagonists which work on symptoms by blocking the production of the brain chemical dopamine.

The new product is not yet available in Australia, but its introduction may provide further hope for people with migraine not helped by existing therapies.

Meanwhile, whether you’re travelling or staying at home, you can get further advice about migraine (and malaria) from your local pharmacist providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. Phone 1 300 369 772 or check out the Society’s website at www.psa.org.au Accurate weather forecasts are not guaranteed.

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

So National Headache and Migraine Awareness Week, 22-27 September, should have universal interest.

Of course, headache is simply a symptom of an underlying cause. And this cause needs to be identified in order to select the most effective treatment.

While the exact reason why headaches occur is still unclear, medical evidence suggests that a headache originates from the pain-sensitive blood vessels at the base of the brain.

What is clear is that there are certain factors – trigger factors – which can provoke headache. These triggers aren’t the same for everyone and at different times they may even be different for the same person. However, commonly they include stress, tension and anxiety. Headaches could be related to hormone level changes; perhaps at the time of periods, during pregnancy or while taking oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy. Factors as simple as delaying or missing meals, coffee withdrawal or too much alcohol can trigger headaches.

Irregular sleep problems, as in too much or too little sleep, or ‘jet lag’ associated with international travel or shift work, can also trigger headaches; as can weather or altitude changes, strong smells or fumes and stuffy smoke-filled rooms. Certain medicines can trigger headaches as well.

Just about everything you want to know about headache is available by way of the Self Care fact cards – available at pharmacies throughout Australia providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. There are cards titled Pain relievers, Headache and Migraine.

Migraine is one of the four most common types of headache. The others are tension headache, sinus headache and cluster headaches. And these are all described on the fact cards; with suggestions as to the most appropriate treatment. Remember, migraine is sometimes incorrectly self diagnosed. It is not just a very bad headache. It’s a specific condition usually presenting as a severe throbbing headache, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. It is usually felt on one side of the head. Some people have warning signs (so-called aura symptoms), up to an hour before the headache starts. These might be flashing lights or a feeling of tingling or numbness.

Avoiding headaches is a better option than having to treat them when they occur. This usually involves some minor changes to lifestyle – learning to relax, keeping fit, having a regular sleep pattern and regular exercise, and being moderate with eating and drinking habits. (The Relaxation techniques fact card may be a good one to have a look at, too).

Meanwhile, a report published in the Medical Journal of Australia earlier this month suggests that some migraine sufferers may be missing out on effective prevention remedies. According to Honorary Associate Professor Richard Stark from the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, there is strong evidence for benefit from several medicines originally developed for conditions other than migraine.

Products previously used as treatments for epilepsy, high blood pressure and depression show great promise in migraine prevention.

When medication is required to treat headache, the choices are generally between aspirin, paracetamol and ibuprofen; or perhaps one of these combined with codeine for more severe pain. The combination of paracetamol with metoclopramide (an anti-nauseant medicine) is a useful non-prescription product now available to treat migraine or “sick headache”.

Paracetamol is considered safe in recommended doses, but beware the possibility of inadvertent overdose when paracetamol from different sources is taken together; for example, when prescribed for arthritis, when purchased without prescription for headache and/or cough-cold treatments.

So when you next have a headache, check with your pharmacist first for the most appropriate treatment; and ask for the fact cards. Phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772 for the location of your nearest Self Care pharmacy.

©2008 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia