Ski Season and Head Trauma
By: Brooklyn A. Bradley, BS; Medically edited by Dr. Deena Kuruvilla, MD
February means ski season is in full swing! Whether you are skiing on a beginner’s slope or racing downhill on a difficult trail, it is important to realize how the ski season can impact your headache. Today we will discuss the three main ways that skiing can impact your headache: head trauma, changes in altitude, and changes in barometric pressure.
One of the most common skiing injuries is head injury, and this can occur for both experienced and inexperienced skiers [1]. Maintaining a steady speed and balance at the same time is a difficult task, and one simple slip can lead to a fall or collision with another skier. These head injuries can range from a simple bump to significant trauma, and any type of hit to the head while on the slopes requires immediate attention. Trauma to the head can result in a concussion, where the individual may experience headaches, mood changes, dizziness, loss of balance, and changes in vision. In some cases, where the head injury also leads to a cut that is bleeding, you may require stitches. Head injuries are very serious, which is why you should always protect the head at all costs, and wear a helmet. According to a comparative study on head injuries among skiers and snowboarders, head injury is the leading cause of death and critical injury in these types of accidents [2]. The study included data collected from the trauma registry of a Level 1 trauma center located in the proximity of a number of ski resorts. They reported that although most injuries were mild (69% having concussion), 14% of patients had severe brain injuries following the skiing accident [2]. Some ways to prevent these types of injuries are to wear a helmet, check the weather conditions for the day, be familiar with the slope, and always be aware of your surroundings, especially nearby skiers.
While high-altitude settings have beautiful sceneries, one downfall is altitude headaches. When you are skiing at higher altitudes, there is a drop in barometric pressure which lowers the oxygen capacity in the body’s cells, and leads to a headache [3]. As you venture to higher altitudes, the headache and symptoms can worsen. An altitude headache differs from a typical headache in many ways, but there are some characteristics that can help you identify whether you are experiencing one. For example, an altitude headache usually creates an intense throbbing head pain that develops six hours to four days following an exposure to high altitudes [3]. In addition, the head pain may become worse with exertion, lying flat, or coughing. Some may experience altitude sickness, which can bring on nausea, dizziness, and fatigue as well. If symptoms persist, it is important to return to a base altitude so you are no longer exposed. Staying hydrated and allowing your body to acclimate to higher altitudes is important while skiing.
Lastly, changes in barometric pressure can also bring on a headache while skiing. Weather conditions, mountain climbing, and skiing are all potential causes of barometric pressure-induced headaches [4]. Your sinuses are filled with air, so any changes in barometric pressure can affect that space and eventually lead to a headache. Some symptoms of barometric pressure headaches include nausea/vomiting, increased sensitivity to light, numbness in the face and neck, and pain in the temple areas [4]. Even a small decrease in barometric pressure has been shown to induce migraine attacks [5]. Thus, the drop in barometric pressure that happens when you are skiing is likely to induce a headache, so it is important to be prepared.
Some key tips for staying safe this ski season include wearing a helmet, preparing for cold weather or weather changes, taking breaks, and preventing ski injuries as much as possible!
References:
- CentralOrtho (2020) 5 Most Common Skiing Injuries. In: Central Orthopedic Group. https://centralorthopedicgroup.com/5-most-common-skiing-injuries/. Accessed 27 Jan 2023
- Levy AS, Hawkes AP, Hemminger LM, Knight S (2002) An analysis of head injuries among skiers and snowboarders. J Trauma 53:695–704. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005373-200210000-00013
- Can You Prevent Altitude Headaches? In: Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/altitude-headache-5210698. Accessed 27 Jan 2023
- What Is a Barometric Pressure Headache? In: Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/barometric-pressure-headache-6503893. Accessed 27 Jan 2023
- Okuma H, Okuma Y, Kitagawa Y (2015) Examination of fluctuations in atmospheric pressure related to migraine. Springerplus 4:790. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-015-1592-4