{"id":43915,"date":"2026-10-19T15:17:54","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T12:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/2026\/10\/coolness-and-darkness-during-migraines-what-does-the-research-show\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T21:21:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T18:21:15","slug":"coolness-and-darkness-during-migraines-what-does-the-research-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/2026\/10\/coolness-and-darkness-during-migraines-what-does-the-research-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Coolness and darkness during migraines: what does the research show?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"43915\" class=\"elementor elementor-43915 elementor-43908\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"wd-negative-gap elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9460995 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9460995\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1477167\" data-id=\"1477167\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c7004f3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wd_text_block\" data-id=\"c7004f3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wd_text_block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wd-text-block reset-last-child text-left\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<p>During a migraine attack, even everyday sensations can become unbearable: daylight seems too bright, sounds are distracting, and the headache makes you stop what you are doing. Migraine is a neurological condition that, along with pain, can be accompanied by nausea and increased sensitivity to light and sound. If, in addition to migraine, there are other physical or mental challenges \u2013 stress, responsible work, caring for children or, later in life, perimenopausal symptoms, the overall cocktail of discomfort can be particularly disruptive and significantly reduce the quality of life.  <\/p><h3><strong>Migraine statistics<\/strong><\/h3><p>Approximately <strong>one in seven people worldwide lives with migraine<\/strong> <strong>,<\/strong> according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdata.org\/research-analysis\/library\/global-regional-and-national-burden-headache-disorders-1990-2021\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study<\/a> in 2021.   <strong>Migraines occur more frequently in women than in men.<\/strong>  This is also shown  <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s12889-024-21244-8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">2025. A study on five European countries was published in<\/a>, which analyzed 2020 survey data from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. The prevalence of diagnosed migraine among adults was <strong>14.9% for women and 8.0% for men<\/strong> . In the same study, the highest prevalence of diagnosed migraine was <strong>in the 30-39 age group at 15.0%<\/strong> . It was also high in the 18-29 and 40-49 age groups, at 14.5% each. This means that migraine often affects people in the active stages of their working and family lives.     <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1e08dfd\" data-id=\"1e08dfd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d4c427 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7d4c427\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"533\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-533x800.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-43927\" alt=\"Migraine, what research shows\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-533x800.png 533w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-300x450.png 300w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-600x900.png 600w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi-150x225.png 150w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/migrena-ko-rada-petijumi.png 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 533px) 100vw, 533px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"wd-negative-gap elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-68e1ad0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"68e1ad0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-11a776d\" data-id=\"11a776d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c203fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-wd_text_block\" data-id=\"6c203fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wd_text_block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wd-text-block reset-last-child text-left\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<h3><strong>What can trigger a seizure?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>You should start, of course, with preventive measures. <a href=\"https:\/\/migrainetrust.org\/live-with-migraine\/self-management\/common-triggers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Migraine Trust<\/a> lists several commonly observed factors that can aggravate migraine attacks.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Changes in sleep patterns<\/strong> \u2013 not getting enough sleep, irregular sleep patterns, or sleeping longer than usual. This is especially difficult for people who work shift work. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Stress<\/strong> and for some people also relaxation after a stressful period. In today's fast-paced life, it is difficult to avoid stress, however, it can be reduced somewhat with meditation, breathing exercises, walking, etc. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Izlaistas \u0113dienreizes un nepietiekama \u0161\u0137idruma uz\u0146em\u0161ana. <\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Hormonal fluctuations<\/strong> , especially related to the menstrual cycle. In this context, hormonal fluctuations often cause other consequences and manifestations.   <\/li>\n<li><strong>Alkohols. <\/strong>For many people, even one innocent glass of wine can trigger a migraine attack.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Changes in caffeine use<\/strong> - excessive amounts or a rapid reduction in the usual dose.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These factors do not always trigger an attack, and an attack can also start without a clearly identifiable trigger. Therefore, if you have noticed that migraine attacks start at a certain time of the menstrual cycle, for example, it is important to inform your doctor about this. If you notice that alcohol consumption affects it, it would be wise to avoid it.  <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ko dar\u012bt migr\u0113nas l\u0113kmes laik\u0101, lai mazin\u0101tu simptomus? <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>During a migraine attack, the environment also plays a role, including the opportunity to rest in peace, reduce lighting, and use a cool compress. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ninds.nih.gov\/health-information\/disorders\/migraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke<\/a> lists these techniques for symptom relief. Of course, this is not possible in all situations right away. However, if such an opportunity arises, <a href=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/shop\/migraine-hat\/migraine-hat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a migraine hat<\/a> can help relieve symptoms faster and more effectively.   <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Can coldness relieve migraine pain?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The use of cold for migraines has been scientifically studied. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35596276\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">A systematic review and meta-analysis<\/a> published in the <em>Journal of Clinical Nursing<\/em> in 2023 summarized six studies that used various cold methods, including cooling gel headbands and hats.  <\/p>\n<p>The results suggested that cold may help to temporarily reduce pain. However, a sustained benefit beyond 24 hours was not conclusively demonstrated. Cold may be an additional aid during an attack, but these data do not prove that it prevents future attacks.  <\/p>\n<p>Konkr\u0113tu piem\u0113ru sniedz ar\u012b <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23901394\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">2013. a randomized controlled crossover study<\/a>, which was completed by 55 participants. It tested a cooling neck wrap. After 30 minutes, the pain intensity in the cold group had decreased by an average of 31.8%, while in the control group it had increased by 31.5%.  <\/p>\n<p>While various types of research into the causes of migraines and the reduction of attacks are still ongoing, this is a promising result.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Why do you want to cover your eyes during a migraine?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Increased sensitivity to light is called photophobia. In the case of migraines, it can manifest as discomfort or increased pain in both natural and artificial light. As <a href=\"https:\/\/americanmigrainefoundation.org\/resource-library\/photophobia-migraine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">the American Migraine Foundation<\/a> explains, for some people, light sensitivity occurs before the headache or persists after it has passed. A darkened room can provide relief during an attack.   <\/p>\n<p>The effects of light are linked to processes in the nervous system. In a 2016 <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27190022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">study on migraines and light sensitivity<\/a> published in the journal <em>Brain,<\/em> scientists analyzed the effects of different colors of light on migraine pain and visual system function. The results indicated the involvement of the retina and thalamus (a brain structure involved in processing sensory signals) in migraine light sensitivity.   <\/p>\n<p>An interesting finding: In the study, green light was less likely to increase pain than white, blue, amber, or red light. This helps explain why not just the brightness of light but also its spectrum can affect how you feel. However, this finding doesn't mean that any green light will cure migraines.  <\/p>\n<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Darkness during an attack and light in everyday life<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Resting in the dark can help you get through an attack, but consistently avoiding light in your daily life can increase light sensitivity. <a href=\"https:\/\/americanmigrainefoundation.org\/resource-library\/photophobia-migraine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The American Migraine Foundation<\/a> recommends distinguishing between temporarily reducing light during symptoms and staying in the dark for extended periods of time. If light bothers you between attacks, it's worth discussing this symptom with your doctor. <\/p><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"wd-negative-gap elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d53cc3e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d53cc3e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-42cf1f8\" data-id=\"42cf1f8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0d314c elementor-widget elementor-widget-wd_text_block\" data-id=\"e0d314c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wd_text_block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wd-text-block reset-last-child text-left\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<h3><strong>Migraine hat: coolness and eye protection in one accessory<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>A migraine cap can be a practical way to combine head cooling with eye protection. <a href=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/shop\/migraine-hat\/migraine-hat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The NOCICEPTOL\u00ae migraine cap<\/a> from RAL is a wellness accessory that covers the forehead, temples, crown and eyes, providing coolness, darkness and gentle pressure. <\/p>\n<p>This solution can be considered as an addition to an individual migraine treatment plan \u2013 during a migraine attack, to relieve symptoms. Studies on cold therapy help explain the possible short-term benefit, however, they do not prove that this hat stops a migraine attack or reduces the frequency of attacks. The migraine hat is small and light enough to take with you to work or travel and use it at times when other solutions are not possible. Using a migraine hat will certainly not disturb colleagues, family or friends during a trip or outing. This way, you can create slightly more favorable conditions for reducing the intensity and duration of pain.    <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8b2394c\" data-id=\"8b2394c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e87eea9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e87eea9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"655\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-655x800.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-39013\" alt=\"Migraine while traveling\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-655x800.png 655w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-246x300.png 246w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-300x366.png 300w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-600x733.png 600w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304-150x183.png 150w, https:\/\/ral.lv\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/migre\u0304na-cel\u0327ojuma\u0304.png 749w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 655px) 100vw, 655px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"wd-negative-gap elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fdaf1a0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fdaf1a0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ff48f88\" data-id=\"ff48f88\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0834072 elementor-widget elementor-widget-wd_text_block\" data-id=\"0834072\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wd_text_block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wd-text-block reset-last-child text-left\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<h3><strong>How to use NOCICEPTOL\u00ae migraine cap?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/shop\/migraine-hat\/migraine-hat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The instructions for use published by RAL<\/a> recommend:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>put on a hat, covering the forehead, temples, top of the head and eyes;<\/li>\n<li>use for up to 20 minutes;<\/li>\n<li>Take a break of at least 20 minutes before re-use;<\/li>\n<li>For a more pronounced coolness, place the hat in the refrigerator for a few minutes and let it warm to a comfortable temperature before putting it on.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During a migraine, a combination of several approaches can provide relief: medical treatment, rest, and fewer environmental irritants. Cooling and covering the eyes can be part of this approach if they provide comfort to the individual. <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"wd-negative-gap elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-430b04f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"430b04f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2e2b038\" data-id=\"2e2b038\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4b53cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-wd_text_block\" data-id=\"e4b53cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"wd_text_block.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wd-text-block reset-last-child text-left\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<h3><strong>What causes migraines and what can make them worse?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The exact causes of migraines are not yet fully understood. Therefore, it is difficult for doctors to give recommendations on what to do or not to do to avoid them. Migraine is a complex neurological disease, in which hereditary predisposition and the functioning of the nervous system play a role. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/migraine\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the British National Health Service (NHS)<\/a> , the likelihood of migraines is higher in people whose close relatives also have this disease. Therefore, stress, lack of sleep or a certain food product is more accurately called a possible trigger of an attack, rather than the cause of the migraine itself. Consequently, quality and sufficient sleep, less stress, a healthy lifestyle - food and exercise - are what health experts recommend. However, what can be done practically when a migraine attack has begun, for example, at work. How to reduce its likelihood and intensity until precise and specific recommendations have been researched and implemented?       <\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During a migraine attack, even everyday sensations can become unbearable: daylight seems too bright, sounds are distracting, and the headache makes you stop what you&#8217;re doing.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1141,"featured_media":43935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1741],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-43915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1141"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43915"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43974,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/43915\/revisions\/43974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43935"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=43915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ral.lv\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=43915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}