Nausea, headaches, sleep problems, mood swings… As soon as the sunny days arrive, you feel feverish. What if you were weather-sensitive without knowing it. Decryption.
Inconveniences that are sometimes difficult to live with on a daily basis
The weather influences our emotions and our state of mind. But it can also impact our physical health! According to several studies carried out in Canada and Germany, atmospheric pressure and temperature can cause daily inconveniences (migraines, joint pain, dizziness, exhaustion, etc.).
“I have such a migraine when the sunny days arrive… I come to dread spring and summer. My father is the same. This is how we made the connection with the sun“, confirms Amandine, 32, to our colleagues on 20 minutes.
And for Julia: “When it’s nice and hot, I know it’s good. I’m so nauseous that I don’t swallow anything otherwise I vomit. Every summer, it’s the same thing…”she confides.
A sensitivity to weather variations that has a name: weather sensitivity.
“Physical” or “psychological” symptoms
According to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, weather sensitivity is not a myth.
“It refers to increased sensitivity to climatic variations (temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, etc.), leading to physical or psychological symptoms. he assures.
However, to better understand this cyclical condition, various factors must be taken into account:
- The influence of atmospheric pressure:
“A sudden drop in pressure (before a storm) can dilate blood vessels, causing migraines or joint pain in sensitive people. Studies suggest a link with fibromyalgia or osteoarthritis”,
reveals the medical director of True Medical; - Temperature and humidity: “The cold contracts the muscles and aggravates pain (such as osteoarthritis). Damp heat accentuates fatigue and circulatory problems”, recognizes the doctor;
- The wind (like the mistral or the tramontane) :
“It would be associated with an increase in migraines and irritability, perhaps via stimulation of nerve endings,” he confides; - Light variations: “The lack of light in winter promotes seasonal depression. Sudden changes in brightness also disrupt the sleep/wake cycle,” warns the doctor.
Regarding possible explanations, ““some people have sensory receptors that are more sensitive to climate change.” says Dr. Gérald Kierzek. “The hypothalamus (hormonal regulator) could react to weather variations, influencing mood and pain. Weather sensitivity is subjectively reported, but increasingly studied (biometeorology). The elderly, chronically ill (hypertension, migraines) or depressed are also more vulnerable”,
he concludes.