We all know people who blame the weather for their achy joints, killer headaches, and many other health woes. But proving these claims has been a bit more elusive.
In recent years, however, scientists have become increasingly interested in attempting to understand just how various weather extremes and changing patterns affect our health. Many experts say that weather does account for some adverse health symptoms.
WebMD talked to experts to learn just what is known about weather's role on our health and what we can do to minimize its mighty influence.
The image of someone sneezing uncontrollably during springtime, when lots of pollen is floating around in the air, is a familiar one. And for people who have allergies to pollen, an uptick in symptoms during the spring -- including sneezing, stuffiness, and even difficulty breathing -- is a very real problem that can pose serious risks. Several studies show a surge in emergency room visits for children and adults during seasons when pollen counts rise. For those folks allergic to pollen from flowers, trees, and grasses, antihistamines often quell the symptoms that would otherwise make spring a miserable season.
The reason for the confusion between allergic and nonallergic rhinitis is simple. They both tend to occur at the same time of year and produce similar symptoms: swollen nasal passages, sneezing, and congestion.
Though the symptoms may be the same, the treatment is not.
"People with nonallergic rhinitis are not going to respond to antihistamines," says Jonathan Bernstein, MD, a professor of clinical medicine at the University of Cincinnati. "People buy this stuff and don't understand why it's not working."
For his patients with nonallergic rhinitis, Bernstein generally recommends nasal irrigation (a saline solution sprayed in the nose), a nasal steroid to shrink swollen nasal passages, or decongestants.
But before using any treatment, Bernstein strongly urges people suffering from allergy-like symptoms to get a diagnosis from their doctor rather than self-diagnosing and medicating. "Is it due to viruses, humidity, cold temperatures? We try to evaluate the condition as a whole," Bernstein tells WebMD.