Change of weather

Can change in weather have an effect on health?

Many people complain that a change in weather has an effect on their health. And yes it is true, weather does impact some people. It is possible to feel the oncoming storm in your bones or in your head. Barometric pressure, also known as atmospheric pressure, is the measurement of air pressure in the atmosphere, specifically the measurement of the weight exerted by air molecules at a given point on Earth. Barometric pressure often drops before bad weather. Lower pressure, which tends to accompany stormy weather, reduces the amount of available oxygen in the air.

Fatigue: drowsiness, feeling tired or down is one of the first signs of insufficient oxygen.

Headache/migraine: “What we found in our studies was the environment is probably one of the most important triggers for migraine attacks“ said Dr. Vince Martin, director of the Headache and Facial Pain Centre at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute, during the 2019 Migraine World Summit.

Blood pressure: when it gets cold, your Blood vessels constrict. This causes your Blood pressure to increase because it takes more pressure to move Blood through a narrower space.

Blood sugar: when the pressure drops during a cold front, it causes the viscosity, or thickness, of the blood to increase, making it harder for diabetics to control their Blood sugar. When Blood sugar dips as a result of a change in the environment, it can produce what is called low barometric pressure fatigue.

Arthritis: changes in barometric pressure can cause expansion and contraction of tendons, muscles, bones and scar tissues, resulting in pain in the tissues that are affected by arthritis. Low temperatures may also increase the thickness of joint fluids, making them stiffer and perhaps more sensitive to pain during movement.

Joint pain: lower air pressure pushes less against the body, allowing tissues to expand. Expanded tissues can put pressure on joints and cause pain.

The Arthritis Foundation published a study from Tufts University in 2007 that found that every 10 degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain. In addition, low temperatures, low barometric pressure, and precipitation can increase pain.