We often talk about the ways that bad air quality can affect your respiratory system, including breathing issues and worsening of asthma, but there are so many more physical ways in which bad air quality can affect you.
We’ve all experienced headaches that pop up out of nowhere whether that’s due to stress, dehydration or staring at a screen for too long, but what lots of people do not know is that they can also be caused by breathing in bad-quality air.
Whilst the link between environmental factors and headaches is still being studied, there is strong evidence to suggest that bad air quality can cause headaches, especially in those of us who are already prone to frequent headaches or migraines.
What causes bad air quality?
Bad air quality isn’t a singular problem but a mix of pollutants in the air. There are several key pollutants that are major contributors for causing headaches.
Particulate Matter (PM)
Particulate matter is microscopic particles that can come from mould, car exhaust pipes, and smoke, which can be breathed in.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs are chemicals that are found in everyday household essentials such as cleaning products, paint and adhesives. They release gases into the atmosphere, which can be harmful.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that is naturally found in our atmosphere.
Other pollutants
There are many other airborne pollutants that, when mixed, contribute to bad air quality.
How does bad air quality cause headaches?
There’s a lot of research currently being carried out on exactly how bad air quality causes headaches, but the prevailing theories include:
Neuroinflammation
Fine air pollutants (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles are incredibly small and therefore are able to enter your respiratory system, bloodstream and even your brain, which can cause neuroinflammation. Your immune cells can then be activated, as well as causing oxidative stress, which can contribute to headaches.
Activation of the Trigeminovascular System
The trigeminal nerve is essentially what causes the feeling of pain in your head and your face. The trigeminovascular system is a network of nerves and blood vessels that, when irritated by pollutants and VOCs, can activate nerve endings, releasing neuropeptides and therefore causing headaches and migraines.
A Lack of Oxygen
Airborne pollutants can affect your breathing, which results in reduced oxygen intake. When your body is finding it hard to transport oxygen through your bloodstream and into your brain, this creates pressure in your head and therefore can contribute to headaches.
How to reduce the risk of headaches caused by bad air quality
Bad air quality isn’t completely unavoidable; you just need to know how to detect it and improve the air quality in your home.
Test for mould and airborne particles
The first step is knowing exactly what harmful airborne particles are in your home. With our home mould testing kit, you can easily and quickly test for mould and other pollutants, and you’ll receive a comprehensive report within 3 working days of us receiving your test cartridges.
Ventilation
A well-ventilated home is key to maximising the amount of oxygen circulating in your home, especially given that technology like computers and televisions collect and circulate dust. Even in winter, we’d suggest leaving a couple of small windows open in your home.
Use an air purifier
Using a powerful, high-quality air purifier can help enhance and improve the air quality in your home. Having one strategically placed in key rooms, especially those that are used by the whole family or are most susceptible to damp and mould, can improve air quality and therefore reduce the risk of headaches.
