Do you feel a storm coming?
Some people can predict when a storm is approaching due to the onset of headaches, joint pain, or depressed mood. For many years, traditional medicine dismissed these complaints as coincidental or imaginative. However, researchers now understand that as storms approach, decreases in atmospheric pressure, increases in humidity, and fluctuations in temperature can affect the body’s blood oxygen saturation, disrupt circulation, trigger hormone fluctuations, heighten pain sensitivity, and induce stress. This happens because the sudden drop in atmospheric pressure activates the autonomic nervous system, which is the body’s fight-or-flight response. This response initiates a cascade of hormonal and physiological changes in the body that were historically needed for human survival during storms.
This emerging field of study is called meteoropathy. Some studies have suggested that up to 30% of the world’s population experiences some meteoropathy. Although meteoropathic illness and sensitivities are not yet formal diagnoses, scientists are researching and finding more evidence to suggest validity.
Although more research is needed, the following comprehensive review of animal studies and human clinical trials investigating the effects of meteoropathy on health and its pharmacological treatment found that:
• Auricular acupuncture reduced weather-induced symptoms in humans
• Naturopathy may have a positive impact on meteoropathic patients
• Nutritional modifications with hydration, a vitamin-rich diet, and fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommended for meteoropathic patients
Meteoropathy: a review on the current state of knowledge - PMCHoxha M, Zappacosta B. Meteoropathy: a review on the current state of knowledge. J Med Life. 2023 Jun;16(6):837-841. doi: 10.25122/jml-2023-0097. PMID: 37675157; PMCID: PMC10478667.
If you or a loved one suffers from migraine attacks, joint stiffness, fatigue, and/or acute worsening of chronic pain with weather changes, consider consulting with a healthcare provider about your treatment options.
