How Weather Changes Affect Health

Almost everyone understands the food they eat, how much they exercise, their exposure to sickness, how regularly they have physical exams at the doctor’s, and even genetics affect their health in a variety of ways, both positively as well as negatively. What many seem to forget, however, or are unaware of, is exactly how the weather can influence health. Specifically, how changes in the weather, including in temperature, can exacerbate health issues. Start reading to discover all there is to know now.

Cold And Flu

The vast majority of individuals have heard the idea of a 'cold and flu season' before. This season tends to span the colder months of the year and hits its peak in December and January. But why does the weather changing to cold force more cases of the common cold and influenza to the surface? Surprisingly, it is less about the actual cold than it is how the cold forces individuals indoors and in close contact with others more often. This proximity over extended periods increases the chances of passing germs from one individual to another and is also why it seems once someone falls ill, the same sickness tends to spread quickly among those they spend time with most often, such as family members, colleagues, and other kids at school.

Headaches And Migraines

A few of the popular causes of both headaches and migraines are dehydration, light, and constricted blood vessels in the brain. Changes in weather can influence all three of these. For instance, as the weather heats up in the summer and individuals spend more time outside, they are going to require more water to replace what is lost when sweating, and if they do not drink more, they are at a higher risk of dehydration. Light, of course, is more intense on a sunny day, in all seasons, and those prone to headaches or migraines often also exhibit sensitivity to light. Many are not aware cold weather will narrow blood vessels and reduce blood flow, which accounts for constricted vessels causing a headache. Finally, according to research, other common triggers for those who suffer from migraines includes changes in barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity, all of which are changes in the weather.