The frequency of migraine attacks rises by almost a third on days when thunder and lightning occurs, scientists have found, tracing such a link for the first time.
"Electromagnetic waves emitted from lightning could trigger headaches," lead researcher Professor Vincent Martin, from the University of Cincinnati said.
"In addition, it produces increases in air pollutants like ozone and can cause release of fungal spores that might lead to migraine," Martin said.
The US research looked at volunteers who regularly suffered migraines. They recorded daily headache activity for between three and six months, the 'Daily Mail' reported.
The location where lightning occurred in relation to their homes and the magnitude of the current was also recorded.
Headaches and migraines increased by about 30 per cent on days lightning struck.
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"We used mathematical models to determine if the lightning itself was the cause of the increased frequency or whether it could be attributed to other weather factors encountered with thunderstorms," Martin said.
"Our results found a 19 per cent increased risk on lightning days, even after accounting for these weather factors. This suggests lightning has its own unique effect," Martin added.
"Many studies show conflicting findings on how weather, including elements like barometric pressure and humidity, affect the onset of headaches," Geoffrey, a fourth year medical student who also worked on the research, said.
"However, this study very clearly shows a correlation between lightning, associated meteorological factors and headaches," he said.
Martin said that negatively charged lightning currents were also particularly associated with a higher chance of headache.
"This study gives some insight into the tie between headaches or migraines, lightning and other meteorologic factors. However, the exact mechanisms through which lightning and/or its associated meteorologic factors trigger headache are unknown, although we do have speculations," Martin said.
"Ultimately, the effect of weather on headache is complex, and future studies will be needed to define more precisely the role of lightning and thunderstorms on headache," Martin added.
The study was published in the journal Cephalalgia.