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Weather Aches and Pains

Not feeling so hot? That doesn't necessarily mean you're coming down with something. Changes in the weather can make you feel lousy. Whether it's rain, wind, or pressure, this guide will help you piece apart what you might be going through this spring.

Barometric Pressure: Ever heard of people who know rain is coming by their aches and pains? This is caused by barometric pressure, or an increase in the weight of the air. When a storm comes, the pressure drops rapidly, this affects people who are already prone to aches and pains. A rapid rise can put pressure on your head, accounting for some of those headaches and dizzy feelings in the spring.

Humidity: Nobody likes a hot, humid day. But high humidity doesn't just make you feel generally uncomfortable. Increases in absolute humidity (that is, the amount of water vapor per unit of air) can also increase aches and pains, where as low humidity can affect those prone to migraines.

Precipitation: As rain (as well as snow, sleet, hail, and other precipitation) can cause changes in barometric pressure and humidity, precipitation can affect many people. However, people sensitive to hot weather may actually get relief from rain, since it cools the air.

Temperature Changes: Extremes in temperature, in either direction, can aggravate migraines or achiness. Low temperatures, especially, can cause problems for those with arthritis, circulatory conditions, or ashtma. Rapidly changing temperatures also affect the barometric pressure -- and we've seen what that can do already!

Wind: Wind is often an indication of large shifts in weather and pressure, indicating (rather than causing) many of the problems described above. It also carries allergens through a wide area, causing extra problems for those with asthma.

Bearing all that in mind, you can prepare yourself for the the rest of spring. Make sure to take all proper precautions if you have a preexisting condition that may be affected by one of these factors. After all, there's a warm summer ahead!



This news arrived on: 04/27/2006
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