How Does the Weather Affect Your Health?

Although weather doesn’t cause arthritis, many people who suffer from either rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis report an increase in pain in their joints with changes in barometric (air) pressure or other weather phenomena.

People with coronary heart disease are more likely to have angina—or heart attack—in cold weather than other people.

UVA damages cells in the deeper, basal layer of the skin. UVB rays cause sunburn and damage to the outer layers of skin. They are thought to cause the most skin cancers. Protect your skin from UV damage by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against both UVA and UVB) with an SPF of 30 or higher and is water resistant. Use SPF 30 or higher for a day outdoors. Wear protective clothing and stay out of direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Keep in mind that even on overcast days, up to 80% of UV radiation still makes it through the cloud cover. UV radiation also gets stronger when it’s reflected off water, sand, or snow, so take extra precaution on the beach and on ski slopes.

Children and adults should also wear UV-blocking sunglasses to prevent eye damage from UV light.

Unlike allergic rhinitis, which is triggered by the body’s natural defense against allergens, the cause of nonallergic rhinitis isn’t known. Eating, drinking alcohol, exercising, and being in the cold are the most common triggers of nonallergic, or vasomotor, rhinitis. Regardless of the specific cause, the symptoms are the same: runny nose, stuffy nose, postnasal drip, and sneezing.

Babies, children, adults older than 65, workers and athletes who spend time in extreme heat, and people with conditions such as obesity and heart disease are more at risk for heat-related illness. If you fall into one of these groups, talk with your healthcare provider about how to stay cool on hot summer days.

Thunderstorms, high humidity, and breathing in cold, dry air all can trigger asthma attacks. The cold in “snow” conditions could be a trigger as well.