Chronic oedema is recognised worldwide as a clinical problem, and is a burden for the affected individual and the health system. You are not dreaming when seeing oedema and lymphoedema increasing when the weather warms up, even when it stays relatively cool during La Nina (periods of intense rain). The climate and your health are closely related.
Some people notice when the weather pattern changes with the sky becoming heavier with clouds that the body is responding by feeling pain and discomfort in the joints, and for others that their lymphoedema is exacerbated. This is because the body tissues expand due to a low atmospheric air pressure, putting pressure on nerves. Hot and humid conditions also cause blood vessels to dilate allowing more fluid in the spaces between tissues and increase swelling.
Studies are conducted trying to prove this concept and although they are inconclusive regarding physiological evidence, they show that qualitative evidence is strong. This means that many people report increase in arthritic pain, migraine, oedema or lymphoedema in warmer weather times and times of low atmospheric pressure.
The barometric pressure represent the weight of the atmosphere. When it falls, it often means that the weather is changing. It can often predict a storm. There is a parallel with the air pressure in a cabin when flying an airplane. Do you know that a cabin altitude atmospheric (or air) pressure is maintained at a lower level than the atmospheric pressure outside the aircraft? Again, a low atmospheric pressure expands the tissue, slows down the fluid movement, and results in an increased swelling.
Consequently, it is important that you protect a limb at risk of developing lymphoedema with a compression garment when flying, and manage lymphoedema for those who are affected. You also need to be vigilant and take note of symptoms such as pain and heaviness in a limb, particularly when the weather is changing, is hot and stormy, like we experience during our Queensland summer. The general advice is to stay indoor in air conditioning, keep cool and hydrated, wear your compression garment and seek a lymphatic drainage if you need assistance. Remember that you need at least 2 garments: one to wear and one to wash. Recommendations are that you change your garment every six months, as they loose their elasticity over time.
Are you unsure of what to do? Please give me a call. After the rain comes the sunshine and after the storm comes the calm. I can offer you options to manage your discomfort and lymphoedema.
References
Angie, G. (2022, July 9). Feel It? 4 Ways Barometric Pressure Affects Your Health (medically reviewed). Retrieved October 2022, from Migraine again: https://www.migraineagain.com/feel-4-ways-barometric-pressure-affects-health/
BCNA. (2016, July). Lymphoedema risk during travel. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from Breast CancerNetwork Australia: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/2141/bcna-lymphoedema-fact-sheet.pdf
BOM. (2022). What is La Niña and how does it impact Australia? Retrieved September 22, 2022, from Australian Government Bureau of Meteology: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/updates/articles/a020.shtml
Hawley, E. K. (2019, August 9). Traveling with Lymphoedema. Retrieved September 22, 2022, from US News a World Report: https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2017-08-29/what-to-know-before-traveling-with-lymphedema
Well, L. (2018, May 15). Does Changing Weather Affect Our Bodies? Retrieved October 25, 2022, from Live well: https://livewellhealthandphysiotherapy.com/2018/05/15/does-changing-weather-affect-our-bodies/
Witt, S., Watt, B., Gordon, S., & Piller, N. (2021). Climate change and climatic variation. Journal of Lymphoedema, Vol 16(1). Retrieved September 9, 2022, from file:///C:/Users/lymph/Downloads/climate-change-and-climatic-variation-impact-chronic-oedemas-systematic-review.pdf
Comments