Imagine sweating in 100 degree heat on a Saturday, then catching snowflakes on your tongue on Tuesday. That happened this week, as a rare (but not uncommon) late summer cold front dropped temperatures nearly 70 degrees in parts of the Rockies.
What You Need To Know
- Dramatic changes in temperature and pressure can lead to a variety of health issues
- Throat, sinus, and coughing issues are common with rapid weather changes
- Inside air, regulated by HVAC systems can be affected as well
- Plants, in addition to humans and animals, can get confused by these sudden changes
While dramatic shifts in temperature in a short amount of time can wreak havoc on travel and outdoor plans, what effect, if any does such a swing in temperatures do to us, our bodies and our immune systems?
According to Dr. Bradley Chipps, medical director of respiratory therapy at Sutter Health in Sacramento, "Nothing affects everybody the same way, but some individuals seem to have an immune response to big changes in temperature or barometric pressure."
With temperature fluctuations rampant this time of year (as we've already seen out west), medical experts generally agree that sudden and rapid changes in weather can lead to a variety of health and immune issues.
Chronic Throat and Sinus Problems
Imagine for a second, what this past week's cold air spell does to your HVAC system. The A/C cranked up one day, followed by the heat on high the next.
The problem besides the undoubtedly high utility bill, is that alternating between systems significantly dehumidifies the air inside. If your filters are filled with just a little mold, pollen, allergens or dust, you can circulate them into your house, which can cause a slew of respiratory and sinus problems.
Dehumidified air containing these substances can also cause severe throat issues.
If the forecast calls for a huge drop or rise in temperature and you haven't changed your air filter in a while, it might be a good idea to do it before the front passes. A good room-sized humidifier, especially during the winter months, can help make the air in your home more comfortable as well.
Joint and Muscle Injuries
Particularly common in the spring, a rapid warm-up in a short period of time may lead those who are eager to be active after a winter of inactivity to hurt themselves. Our joints and muscles many times take a break in the colder months, and without a slow transition to warmer weather, people overly eager to suddenly get outdoors when things thaw out can injure their joints and muscles.
It's best to start slow, even if a sudden warm-up tempts you to spend time exercising outside.
Pollen Plumes
Seasonal allergies can be exacerbated by dramatic temperature changes.
Like us humans, plants can easily be confused by these sudden changes, and can quickly release their pollen, causing allergy issues to climb exponentially. It might be a good idea to keep the over-the-counter stuff close by when a powerful front makes its way through.
Asthma and Bronchitis
Severe and chronic coughing can be caused by a rush of cold air into an area very quickly.
Doctors have documented physiological responses to rapid cold air that can cause your airways to close down and tighten up. No doubt, this is something many in the Rockies this past week might have experienced.
Seasonal inhalers are oftentimes given to people who might need some help opening up their airways when the weather changes so rapidly. As with almost any situation, it's best to seek immediate medical help if breathing becomes an issue during these rapid events.
Remember that while rare, sudden temperature changes of 50, 60, or even 70 degrees can cause us to get sick or even hurt. Our bodies can get comfortable in a certain climate, and have a hard time adapting when that climate changes suddenly.
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