Most of us have experienced the massively uncomfortable throbbing pain radiating from our heads. Yet, we are often left wondering what caused the pain in the first place with no answers. Outside factors may increase the chances of triggering migraine symptoms. Factors such as weather, elevation, and features in a city may leave you with migraine pain far more often.

Here are the five worst cities that may trigger your migraine symptoms:

1. Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR

Residents in the area experience change in weather rapidly throughout the year, which can trigger symptoms. Most residents are faced with challenges in finding healthy options to exercise. Due to the weather, residents can find options to go outside limited because of severe weather conditions. During the summers, residents are faced with scorching, humid summer weather. The barometric pressure can also be quite high. The impact the summer weather has can increase the likelihood of migraine symptoms. The population density also makes pollution and traffic congestion far higher than in other areas.

2. Cincinnati, OH

When it comes to Cincinnati, the city may be making your symptoms far worse than you may think. The weather plays a major role in migraine triggers for the residents. Each season brings forth a vastly different range in weather. Those harsh changes through the season’s weather may increase the severity and frequency of symptoms. The rapid change in weather affects the chemicals inside the brain for many people. The serotonin levels inside the brain become imbalanced from the change in weather. As a result of the imbalance, migraines can likely be triggered.

3. Madison, WI

When it comes to extreme weather changes Wisconsin ranks high. The winters can be brutally cold, and the summers hot. The vastly different weather during the seasons can be a causing factor in increasing migraine triggers. The lack of public transportation also plays a role. Residents are impacted with limited walkable options for transportation. More often they depend on personal cars for transportation. As a result, traffic congestion can be higher than in other major cities.

4. Knoxville, TN

Tennessee weather can vary quite a lot throughout the seasons. The summer temperatures can be very hot with very humid air. Severe storms can also be an issue for residents. Residents can usually expect the approach of a storm by sensing the changes in the weather. Another factor is the local diet. Often, poor nutrition is commonplace in the region with the prevalence of unhealthy food options. Mood can also be a factor that can cause symptoms to progress into migraines. Lack of sleep, in addition to depression and anxiety, can make people more accepting of triggering symptoms.

5. St. Louis, MO

The city of St. Louis ranks as one of the worst cities to live in for people susceptible to getting migraines. The per capita rate of prescriptions is through the roof. Being a large regional population center other issues persist that can also trigger symptoms. Traffic congestion in the city can impact the likelihood of symptoms for residents. Commonplace is the lack of exercise, which may also increase changes in symptoms. The weather can also be very unpredictable, thus making symptoms much more likely. Residents also consume a very poor diet in the city. Often, they work long hours and waste time sitting in traffic congestion. Which can encourage residents to make poor diet decisions without enough time for meal planning.

When choosing a city to live in, it is essential to consider all such factors that may possibly affect your daily life. The above list includes cities you should steer clear of. Make sure you do extensive research before moving to a new city if you experience migraine symptoms.