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Health Does a weather sensitivity really exist?
A change in the weather affects the well-being of many people. Some then complain of pain or sensitive scars, others cause the circulation. Although the phenomenon is sometimes classified in the field of medical myths, but there is weather sensitivity, according to health experts actually.
Influence of the weather on the body
Many people are familiar with this: in the event of a change in the weather, circulatory problems occur and old scars can suddenly hurt. In humid weather and a hair dryer, the head growls and the mood worsens. Do you imagine this all? Or what influence does the weather really have on our body and what is weather sensitivity in general?
Weather changes cause some people to suffer from headaches or circulatory problems. For some, old scars hurt. Experts explain what the weather is like. (Image: Ingo Bartussek / fotolia.com) No independent disease
"The term weather sensitivity refers to the phenomenon that some people perceive their own body reaction to the weather increasingly subjectively," writes the German Weather Service (DWD) on its website.
Accordingly, these people have an increased responsiveness or a lowered stimulation threshold of their autonomic nervous system. "However, weather sensitivity is not a stand-alone disease, such as Migraines, "say the experts.
However, certain weather conditions increase some people's complaints such as the tendency to headaches. In addition - especially in strong weather changes - often concentration disorders, sleep problems. Tiredness and joint or scar pain observed.
Greater influences during heavy weather changes
The phenomenon has also been studied in various scientific studies. British researchers found that bad weather can affect pain.
Austrian experts also reported that about every second rheumatist is suffering from weather-sensitivity.
According to surveys, weather complaints are more likely to occur in females.
In general, the strongest weather effects on health can be determined according to experts in the event of strong weather changes.
In addition, a person's response to the weather depends largely on individual conditions such as the general state of health as well as other stresses such as lack of sleep or stress.
Effects on blood pressure
The DWD explains on its website an example of the interaction between weather and the human organism:
"Behind a cold front is usually brought cooler air, so that the body tries to reduce the release of heat. Among other things, the outer blood vessels are narrowed and the blood pressure rises in the short term. "
Although these changes are usually very small, those who already suffer from high blood pressure can feel such variations.
On the other hand, sudden warmth makes people with low blood pressure bother: for the body to cool down, it dilates the blood vessels, which causes the blood pressure to drop even further.
Even more violent than the weather sensitivity affects the so-called weather sensitivity. "Older or chronically ill people can not only be weather-sensitive, they can also be weather-sensitive, which can then be quite harmful and have dangerous effects," writes the DWD.
"Especially in times of strong heat waves people die again and again, in which the cardiovascular system was overwhelmed," it continues.
What you can do against the weather sensitivity
But there are also some things that people can do against the weather sensitivity. Experts recommend that you also go out in the cold, wind and rain to train the organism and learn to adapt better to the different weather conditions.
Kneipp treatments, changing showers, sauna visits, a controlled sleep rhythm and a balanced diet are just as beneficial.
People who are sensitive to the weather due to stress may be able to relax with relaxation exercises such as yoga.
And who then still sets a positive attitude to life, can defy their own weather sensitivity to the earwig "I'm singing in the rain".
However, chronically ill and elderly patients should be more careful and, to be on the safe side, ask their doctor which methods are best for them. This also applies to weather-sensitive people. (Ad)