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Scientific references of interest to the subject of weather and health

Sat, 01/10/2009 - 21:50 — john bart
From time to time I'll list a few references that scientifically oriented readers can chase up if they wish. So here goes: Prince P.B. 16 July 2004 Weather can trigger migraine. in the journal: Headache==== Choisnel et al 1987 Weather and acute cardiovascular attacks. statistical analysis and results. Experentia 43, pp. 27-32==== Banton D et al British J Prev Soc Med 1977 31 pp 49-53==== Goldstein F. 1980 Weather patterns and asthma epidemics in New York and New Orleans, Int J. Biomet. 24, nr 4 pp 329-339==== Jungman H, 1987, Response to meteorological stress as a function of age. Experentia 43, pp 54-57==== Latman N.S. 1987 Influence of atmospheric factors on the rheumatic diseases Experentia 43, pp 32-38==== Suzuki et al 1988, Correlation between the atmospheric conditions and the asthmatic syndrome, Inj J. Biometeorology 32, 129-133==== Tromp. S.W. 1980, The impact of weather and climate on humans and their environment., pub Heyden==== W.M.O. (1984) Report of meeting of experts on climate and human health WCP-78 WMO Geneva==== Scott, R.S. et al, Temporal variation in the incidence of IDDM in Canterbury N.Z, Diabetes Care 15(7) pp895-899==== Nursall A., and Phillips D.W The effects of weather on the frequency and severity of migraine headaches in S.W. Ontario 1980, Canadian Climate Centre Report, no 80-7, A.E.S. Downsview.====*

Comments

Thu, 04/30/2009 - 22:31 — norene1

Best places to live for migraineurs

Recently, Sperling's developed a list of best places to live for fewer migraines. They based their data collection on several variables, such as weather, number of headache prescriptions filled, etc. See www.bestplaces.net. They listed the places where migraines are very common or very rare. I would like to know which places are the best places for less headaches which are caused specifically by weather changes. Have you lived or visited anywhere in the US where your migraines caused by weather changes were less than usual? You may respond here, or contact me at norene1@gmail.com.
Sun, 01/18/2009 - 18:43 — john bart

DIABETES and the weather...cold weather increases AIC

from the American Journal of Epidemiology, March 2005 A team of researchers working Veteran Health Administration centres across the U.S. has found a link between cold weather and higher AIC levels (for the uninitiated AIC tells us what a patient's diabetes has been like over the preceding three months.)===== For 2 years the group studied 272,722 veterans with diabetes. The AIC levels of those in the study were averaged and analysed by climate and season.=====After considering other factors that could affect AIC levels, such as age, sex, race and severity of diabetes, the researchers found independent seasonal pattern linked to colder temperatures====In all climates, AIC levels peaked from Feb through to April and hit their lowest point from August through to September===the average rise was 0.22 percentage points (which is significant despite it's small size)===The people who experienced the most fluctuation in terms of their AIC levels were those who lived in what the researchers called "intermediate" climates -- places where the temps ranged from 32F to 40F.====Interestingly, people who lived in the coldest areas---places where winder temps ranged from 5F to 32F--experienced a little less fluctuation in terms of their AIC levels. The researchers don't know why this is but speculate that people living in very cold climates don't go out as much as others and so have less exposure to the cold===The researchers still aren't sure how cold triggers a rise in AIC levels but they speculate that it may be THE SAME UNKNOWN PHYSICAL RESPONSE THAT TRIGGERS A RISE IN BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE=== Previous studies have shown that cardiovascular events and strokes fllow a similar seasonal pattern===These patterns could influence how diabetes control is maintained (they say) and more study is needed (they say)====IN OTHER WORDS, THE CLIMATE, AND IT'S ACTIVE ARM, THE WEATHER, INFLUENCE OUR HEALTH...which is the whole point of MEDICLIM