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Storm fronts can affect our well-being and health. The weather can exacerbate many health conditions, even including asthma and allergies. Who suffers most in stormy weather?
- The weather influences the exacerbation of many inflammations – they intensify, among others, rheumatic pains
- Windy weather and pressure changes also make asthmatics worse
- Sudden changes in temperature and humidity also cause rhinitis
- There are also mold allergies, for which humid and hot weather is the best time for growth
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Thunderstorms and joint pain
Why can the weather affect rheumatic pains? Probably due to the falling atmospheric pressure that affects our pressure inside the joints. Figuratively speaking, the joint enlarges and compresses the surrounding tissues and nerves. Most often, this ailment occurs in people with impaired production of synovial fluid.
- Also read: Collagen for the knee and elbow joints – necessary or optional?
Tendons, ligaments, muscles and bones stretch because different tissues have different densities. Increased air humidity causes the joints to swell, which causes discomfort.
- Also read: How to behave in a storm? First aid to a person who was struck by lightning
Storms and Asthma
Asthmatics also deteriorate as pollen is carried in the wind and then into the respiratory tract. This is often associated with symptoms such as wheezing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and rapid breathing.
Changes in temperature and humidity can become non-allergic triggers of asthma by congesting and irritating the lower and upper respiratory tract.
Storms and allergies and runny nose
For seasonal allergy sufferers, a storm is a good sign – rains “clean” the air of floating pollen. However, rains also cause the growth of plants, which start to dust again and in the following sunny days the situation of allergy sufferers worsens again.
How can you help yourself? Of course, by taking over-the-counter antihistamines.
- Also read: Allergy – sensitizing allergens
Sudden changes in temperature and humidity also cause rhinitis. When the symptoms are exacerbated and last for several days, it is worth consulting a doctor. Nasal irrigation, nasal cleansing with saline or sea salt solution is helpful. The swelling will reduce the steroid drops.
In rainy, humid weather, molds develop – another allergenic factor. We find them in damp places such as basements or bathrooms, but also in grass, leaf piles, hay, litter etc. For mold spores, hot, humid weather is ideal.
Storms and a migraine
Anyone suffering from migraine headaches knows that changes in the weather can trigger a migraine attack. The most common weather-related headache triggers are high or low humidity, high or low temperature, or simply changes in weather and barometric pressure.
- Also read: Migraine – symptoms, characteristics, treatment methods
Rainy weather can also cause breathlessness, especially in people with asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).