Meteosensitivity and meteorolability: what to do, how to fight?

The concepts of "meteosensitivity" and "meteorolability", used to describe the reaction of the human body to changes in weather and climate, many people mistakenly consider synonymous. In fact, meteosensitivity is a property of any living organism, while meteorolality is only a characteristic of pathologically high meteosensitivity, which is not typical for all people.

Meteororesistance and meteorolability

Man as a biological being is subject to the same changes as the world around him. No wonder a good positive mood is called sunny, the sad state of the soul is cloudy or rainy, and when a person is angry, they say that it's a threat.

Changing the mood to match the weather is the usual physiological response of a healthy body. Such a reaction to the weather is called meteosensitivity, and it is considered the norm. People whose weather changes affect only the emotional side are called meteor-stable or meteor-resistant (resistant means stable). The state of health of such people does not depend on natural and weather changes.

If, when changing weather or climate, not only emotional, but also other suspicious symptoms are observed, as a result of which a person experiences discomfort, it is already a question of meteorolability. The word "lability" means instability, variability. In meteolabile people, otherwise known as meteodependents, the general state changes in accordance with changes in weather, climate, and solar activity.

Meteolabile people are sometimes called meteopaths, emphasizing the fact that their reaction to environmental changes is pathological, not characteristic of a healthy body.

Thus, meteosensitivity in a person can manifest itself in two ways: meteororesistance and meteorolability. Moreover, these states are not constant, and under the influence of some factors a person with a low meteosensitivity can at some moment feel the growing dependence of his state on fluctuations in temperature or humidity, weather change and solar activity.

Epidemiology

Increased meteosensitivity or meteorolability becomes the scourge of our time. According to statistics, sensitivity to changes in weather conditions is a fairly common pathology. Only in the middle band, every third person can be considered as meteodependent. And age is not a characteristic indicator, which can not be said about sex. It is noticed that women are much more likely than men to notice symptoms of malaise, associated specifically with changes in the weather. They react more sharply to the full moon and new moon, magnetic storms and atmospheric pressure jumps.

It can be said with certainty that the inhabitants of the countryside do not feel the changes in weather conditions as sharply as the inhabitants of megacities. And this is not surprising, because the villagers thanks to clean air and natural products are a healthier category of the world's population.

As for the timing of the appearance of the symptoms of meteorology, there is also a statistic. The overwhelming majority of meteolabile people (about 90 percent) note the deterioration of health directly during natural disasters. The remaining 10 percent of the malaise begin to experience after 1-2 days. Nevertheless, there is a certain number of people who are peculiar prophets, because they anticipate weather changes in advance. Therefore, no one is surprised by the "prophecy": legs twist on the weather, because after a day or two you can really wait for worsening weather conditions (usually rain, fog).

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of meteodependent people (especially among urban residents), which is facilitated by:

• high susceptibility to stress factors,
• an increase in the number of diseases characterized by an increase in meteosensitivity and the development of meteorolability (for example, doctors diagnose 80% of hospital patients and polyclinics, it is not much inferior in prevalence and hypertension),
• sedentary lifestyle, characteristic of many meteorological patients,
• an increase in the number of people engaged in intellectual work,
• violation of the diet and daily routine, as a result of which the body begins to feel an acute need for vitamins and microcells necessary for it, normal rest, fresh air, etc., hence the decrease in immunity,
• poor ecology (work in enterprises with increased dust and air contamination with chemicals, living near sources of pollution).

[1], [2]

Causes of the meteosensitivity

Let's try to understand why some people practically do not react to changes in the weather, while others literally lie on their feet and suffer from pains of different localization, and how it happens that a meteor-resistant person suddenly becomes meteorolabile and vice versa.

It is believed that in an absolutely healthy person, all processes proceed stably. They perfectly adapt to any changes in the environment, do not respond to changes in atmospheric pressure (within normal limits), change in climatic zones, changes in weather conditions and solar activity, high or low air humidity, etc.

The worst thing that can happen to a meteor-resistant person is depression on the background of cloudy and rainy weather. But weather people who mostly suffer from various chronic diseases, such weather can bring to the hospital, so their condition worsens.

Various changes in weather and climate conditions, Earth's magnetic field, activity of the Sun and the Moon can affect the health of patients with cardiovascular pathologies, joint diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, nervous, endocrine and other body systems. Moreover, the symptoms will be completely different, depending on the factors affecting and the patient's health.

In patients with chronic diseases, meteosensitivity is particularly pronounced, as weather changes cause an exacerbation of existing pathologies and the corresponding symptoms.

Provoke an exacerbation of chronic pathologies with an increase in meteosensitivity and manifestations of meteorolability can:

• fluctuations in atmospheric pressure: cardiovascular pathologies, bone and joint diseases, head and chest injuries, infectious and inflammatory pathologies of the respiratory system and ENT organs, gastrointestinal diseases, increased intracranial pressure. As well as diseases that occur against the background of oxygen starvation of tissues (airway obstruction, pneumonia, pulmonary emphysema, certain heart defects), central and peripheral circulatory disorders (CHF, cerebral stroke, etc.), anemia
• sharp changes in the temperature characteristics of the environment (pathology of the nervous, cardiovascular, endocrine system, autoimmune diseases)
• a decrease in temperature (any long-lasting infectious inflammatory pathology due to the danger of relapses)
• increase or decrease of air humidity (chronic skin diseases, heart disease, blood vessels, respiratory organs)
• change in the speed of air movement (skin diseases, eye pathologies, diseases of the nervous and respiratory system, VSD)
• increased activity of solar radiation (skin diseases, pathologies of the nervous and immune system, heart and vascular disease, autoimmune and oncological pathologies)
• changes in the electromagnetic field of the Earth and magnetic storms (CNS and brain pathologies in the present and past, including craniocerebral trauma, cardiovascular diseases, disruption of the endocrine system, weakening of the nervous system due to other long-term pathologies)
• the change of seasons and climatic conditions (weakened immunity and chronic bacterial-inflammatory pathologies - winter-autumn, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract and nervous system - spring-autumn, by the way, during this period, any serious diseases leading to exhaustion of the organism become aggravated)

However, health pathologies are not the only cause of aggravated meteosensitivity. Sometimes meteorology is observed in a completely healthy person who does not suffer from chronic pathologies. In this case, they speak of a meteoneurosis, which manifests itself in a decrease in the adaptive abilities of the organism due to the violation of neuroendocrine regulation.

[3]

Risk factors

The risk factors for the appearance of a meteonovrosis are:

• a sedentary lifestyle (hypodynamia),
• deficiency of oxygen due to the constant stay in an enclosed space with insufficient access of fresh air,
• excess weight,
• presence of bad habits, which include not only smoking and alcoholism, but also excessive consumption of coffee, overeating,
• high mental loads,
• lack of physical activity,
• stressful situations,
• genetic predisposition.

The above factors negatively affect the ability of the body to adapt to environmental changes and reduce its protective properties, hence the malaise and decline in efficiency.

His contribution also makes a temperament, characterizing the type of nervous system. So meteorolability is most often observed in people with a weak and unstable type of nervous system, which is characteristic of melancholic and choleric people. An important role in worsening the condition of such people is played by inadequate attitude to changes in the weather, when the obsession at this event provokes the appearance of painful symptoms.

But sanguine and phlegmatic, by nature, balanced people, deterioration of well-being against the background of changes in the weather can feel only in connection with reduced immunity.

[4],

Pathogenesis

As we see, the problem of meteosensitivity today is more urgent than ever, therefore, special science-biometeorology is engaged in its study and solution. As a result of ongoing research, it was noted that the mechanisms of meteosensitivity formation are the violation of human biorhythms.

Biological rhythms of a living organism are cyclical changes in the nature and strength of the physical and chemical processes that take place in it. They can be divided into 3 types:

• high-frequency cycles: bioelectric activity of such important organs as the heart and brain, muscle and nerve fibers, alternation of sleep and wakefulness, etc.,
• medium-frequency cycles (they are also called circadian): changes in the hormonal background and heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure; they also control urination and sensitivity to drugs,
• low-frequency cycles: changes in working capacity during the week (it is not accidentally noticed that the first and last day of the five-day working week are characterized by the lowest productivity), the menstrual cycle, changes in metabolism and immunity, depending on the season, etc.

Under the influence of fluctuations in weather and climatic conditions, human biorhythms can also undergo certain changes that affect the person's health. Particularly susceptible to various environmental factors, cyclic cycles, which are repeated 1-2 times a day.

The life cycle is regulated by the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and epiphysis, receiving information from various organs and systems of the body. Thus, all the processes in the body become ordered in time. However, sudden changes in the environment can disrupt the ordered system.

Meteorological changes can knock down the rhythm of individual processes, and failures are observed in those organs and systems that are currently weakened by the disease. Hence the exacerbation of chronic diseases with its characteristic clinical picture (increased blood pressure, heartbeat, pain and joint aches, sleep disturbances, painful symptoms of gastrointestinal pathologies, etc.).

Now we will consider how different weather conditions influence the health of people with high meteorological sensitivity:

Fluctuations of atmospheric pressure. This value and its changes can be seen only with the help of a barometer, but you can feel fully on yourself. Changes in air pressure in nature necessarily affect the intracavitary pressure of the human body, the magnitude of electrical resistance of the skin, the number of leukocytes in the blood. If even healthy people with such changes are uncomfortable, then what can we say to those whose body is weakened by the disease.

If the differences in atmospheric pressure are within normal limits, healthy people usually do not feel it. Their condition worsens only with significant changes in pressure. Nevertheless, too emotional unbalanced people can even feel slight psychological discomfort even with insignificant changes in atmospheric pressure (mood deteriorates, incomprehensible anxiety appears, sleep worsens).

It is the fluctuations in atmospheric pressure that cause jumps in blood pressure, arrhythmias, and worsening of the general condition of patients with a diseased heart.

People with arthritis and rheumatism on the ground of low atmospheric pressure on the eve of bad weather have "breaking" joint pains, and those who have experienced a chest injury in the past or suffer from chronic inflammation of the pleura feel pain in the chest.

It is also difficult for the "ventricle", because a decrease in atmospheric pressure leads to an increase in pressure in the digestive tract, which in turn leads to an elevation of the diaphragm, which begins to squeeze the overlying organs (lungs, heart). As a result, not only the gastrointestinal organs suffer, but also the respiratory and cardiovascular system, which means that symptoms of the corresponding pathologies appear.

Change in temperature indicators. Best human body temperature of about 18 carries ^a C (and a humidity range of 50%). A higher ambient temperature causes a lowering of blood pressure, causes increased sweating and leads to dehydration, disrupts metabolism, makes blood more viscous, which in turn negatively affects the blood supply of various organs. In the first place, people with pathology of the endocrine, cardiovascular and respiratory systems suffer.

Low temperatures are no less dangerous than high temperatures. As a result of prolonged exposure to cold, vasodilatation occurs, which is acutely felt by people with vascular pathologies and heart diseases, which immediately have headaches and other unpleasant symptoms. BP fluctuations in patients with arterial hypertension and hypotension are associated not only with changes in atmospheric pressure, but also with exposure to low temperatures. And with ischemia of the heart on this soil, patients begin to feel oppressive pains in the region of the heart.

But the most dangerous are still large temperature changes during the day. A sharp jump in temperature is considered to be a deviation of only 4 degrees from the average daily rate. Both a sharp cooling and sudden warming cause malfunctions in the work of the immune system and thermoregulatory centers, which leads to an outbreak of respiratory pathologies (even among generally healthy people).

Air humidity.  The sensation of the ambient temperature is directly related to the humidity of the air. At high humidity, high temperatures are harder to bear (remember, at least, how hard it is to breathe in a bath) and the feeling of cold is getting worse (you can get frostbite even at low plus temperatures). Heat shock can be obtained precisely at high temperatures and humidity.

The increased humidity of air negatively affects the blood vessels and is the cause of exacerbation of symptoms of hypertension and arteriosclerosis of blood vessels. The increased humidity on the eve of the cyclone is marked by a decrease in the concentration of oxygen in the air, which adversely affects the health of patients with heart disease, blood vessels, joints, respiratory organs, pathologies caused by oxygen starvation of organs and tissues.

Effect of wind. Despite the beneficial effect in the warm weather of a light breeze increasing the heat transfer, a greater wind speed (more than 6 m / s) has a different effect. People with pathologies of the nervous system or increased excitability may experience irritation and anxiety.

If the wind is felt against the background of a low temperature, the sensation of cold increases, which means that inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system and vascular pathologies can become aggravated. For example, with VSD there are severe headaches associated with spasm of cerebral vessels.

The wind itself is a carrier of bacterial infection. Under its influence, the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and oral cavity may dry out, where later cracks are formed, through which the pathogenic bacteria enter. This causes the development of skin and eye diseases, as well as the complication of existing pathologies secondary infection.

Solar activity. It's no secret that the lack of sunlight not only leads to a dreary, depressed mood, but also causes other disorders in the body. Deficiency of solar radiation becomes the reason of neuroses, deterioration of immunity, development of hypocalcaemia (sunlight is a source of vitamin D, without which calcium assimilation remains very low).

But on the other hand, increased solar activity and enthusiasm for sun baths can trigger the emergence of photodermatitis, the development and proliferation of tumor processes, overheating of the body.

Meteorolability to sunlight is noted primarily in children and the elderly. Deterioration of well-being can be noted also in patients with skin and autoimmune diseases, disorders of the endocrine organs and the central nervous system, weakened immunity.

Effect of the Earth's magnetic field. The intensity of solar radiation has a direct impact on the electromagnetic field of our planet, which in turn affects us. Increased solar activity causes magnetic storms, to which more than half of all inhabitants of the Earth react with deterioration of health due to increased blood viscosity, negative influence of magnetic field fluctuations on the vascular tone and CNS activity. The hardest part is for the elderly, those who have suffered head trauma, the patients of the cardiologist, neurologist, psychiatrist and endocrinologist.

But the change of seasons, climate and time zones threatens the total violation of the synchronization of various processes, even if temporary. A person predisposed to metapathy can not experience only certain changes in the weather, so it senses them in a complex that is characteristic of a certain season. For example, high humidity, relatively low temperatures and high atmospheric pressure in autumn, low humidity and high solar activity in summer, high humidity and strong winds against the background of low spring temperatures, etc. Its weather characteristics also have a climate of different geographical latitudes.

Therefore, increased meteosensitivity or meteorolality is not considered in relation to any one of the characteristics of the weather, but in relation to the combination of weather conditions characteristic of a particular climatic zone or season. It is for this reason that the deterioration of well-being after moving to another country or during a tourist trip to another continent is attributed to climatic weather dependence. While about exacerbation of chronic diseases it is customary to speak in connection with seasonal meteopathy.

[5], [6]

Symptoms of the meteosensitivity

Describe a specific picture of meteosensitivity with its characteristic symptoms is not an easy matter, as various diseases add to their general symptoms something of their own. Its imprint is also imposed by the change of seasons, because for each season the weather characteristics are characteristic. In addition, the body of different people can respond to weather changes in different ways.

Regarding the last point, we can conditionally identify 4 degrees of meteosensitivity:

1. Normal meteosensitivity. It manifests itself in the absence of reaction to changes in the weather or slight mood swings against this background (for example, a dreary mood in the background of cloudy weather caused by a deficit of sunlight, which, incidentally, can not be filled with artificial lighting).
2. Increased meteosensitivity. It is characterized by: a slight malaise, emotional instability, deterioration of mood, attention and performance.
3. Meteozavisimost. It manifests itself in the form of pronounced malfunctions in the body: blood pressure jumps, changes in heart rate and intensity, changes in laboratory blood counts (increase in the number of leukocytes), etc.
4. Meteolability or meteorology. This degree of meteosensitivity requires special treatment, rather than a simple withdrawal of symptoms, since it negatively affects not only the person's health, but also his working capacity.

Meteosensitivity, like meteorological dependence or meteorolability, can have different manifestations depending on the concomitant pathologies of health. For this reason, it is customary to divide explicit meteopaths into several types:

• Heart type. The first signs of this type of meteorological dependence is an increase in connection with fluctuations in weather conditions of cardiac symptoms. Subjective symptoms: heart pain, sensation of a strong and irregular heartbeat, a feeling of lack of air.
• Brain or cerebral type. It is associated with changes in the weather with the appearance of symptoms such as migraine headaches and dizziness, noise or ringing in the ears, sometimes the appearance of "flies" in front of the eyes.
• The mixed type. In meteopaths of this type, simultaneous appearance of symptoms of the two types of meteorological dependence described above is observed.
• Asthenoneurotic type. The name speaks for itself, because the observed symptomatology corresponds to the asthenic type of the nervous system. There is general weakness and irritability, rapid fatigue. Meteozavisimye people of this type complain about the inability to work normally, and this applies to both physical and mental labor. Many people, on the basis of weather changes, experience a depressive state, sleep disorders. Objective symptoms associated with violations of the CNS regulation of vascular contractions are also noted: an increase or decrease in blood pressure.
• Undefined type. There are no objective symptoms, however, meteopaths of this type complain of general weakness and weakness due to weather changes, note muscle and joint pains on the eve of the weather.

Meteosensitivity in children

It is generally believed that meteosensitivity and especially meteorolability is typical for middle-aged and elderly people who have more than one diagnosis behind their shoulders. However, this is not entirely true. Even small children are affected by weather changes and the change of climatic zones. For this reason, for example, it is not recommended to change the place of residence in the first months after the birth of the baby. Indeed, in infancy, the neuroendocrine and immune system are still in the stage of formation, which means that the baby's body is not able to respond adequately to changes in the environment.

Newborns are very sensitive to changes in temperature and atmospheric pressure. Especially sensitive to their body reacts to high temperatures and low blood pressure. The heat very quickly leads to overheating, which can end very badly, up to a lethal outcome. As for pressure differences, then there is a neurological symptomatology and some unpleasant manifestations from the gastrointestinal tract.

Nature has thought of everything so that the baby could come into the world in a natural way, that's why on the head of the newborn there is a site covered not with a bone but with a softer and elastic cartilaginous tissue. It is the presence of the fontanelle that allows the baby to move along the generic pathways without damaging the bones of the skull. But this area after the birth of the baby is the most vulnerable, both in terms of injuries, and about the variations in atmospheric pressure.

Meteosensitivity in children 1 year of age can be manifested in the form of lethargy and tearfulness, the appearance of intestinal colic, impaired appetite, whims. The baby can cry without tears, pinch his legs, and give up the breast.

If the meteorological sensitivity of the baby is greatly increased, which manifests itself in the temporary loss of acquired skills (stops sitting, walking, talking), increased excitability or vice versa, perhaps a cause of this condition is a certain pathology (dysbacteriosis, diathesis, hydrocephalus, congenital malformations, etc.) , the symptomatology of which is amplified during changes in weather conditions.

In older children, meteosensitivity can occur both against the background of congenital malformations and acquired diseases (various infectious diseases, inflammatory pathologies of the brain, VSD and even worms). The most frequent cause of meteorological dependence are pathologies of the nervous system and diseases that cause a general exhaustion of the body.

The nervous system in turn is very dependent on psychological factors. For example, stresses on the background of admission to kindergarten, school, secondary special and higher education institutions, passing examinations and certifications provoke in this period an increase in meteosensitivity in children and adolescents. They contribute to the formation of meteorolability and unfavorable situation in the family with frequent quarrels and scandals.

Another important point is that such a property as increased meteosensitivity can be transmitted by inheritance (for example, meteoneurosis) or formed against a background of increased attention to the body's response to weather changes in the parents. In the latter case, the child has the impression that weather changes should cause unpleasant symptoms, and thanks to self-hypnosis, reinforced by the excessive care of parents, the child really begins to feel worse if the weather spoils.

Symptomatic of meteorology in childhood is very diverse and contradictory (increased excitability or drowsiness, lethargy and irritability, headaches, discomfort in the abdomen, etc.), so it is very important to trace the relationship of emerging symptoms with changes in weather or climate conditions.

Meteosensitivity in vegetovascular dystonia

To examine in more detail the influence of weather conditions on a person with the VSD is forced precisely by the fact that vegetative vascular dystonia is considered one of the most common pathologies. The syndrome of autonomic dysfunction or vegetoneurosis, as otherwise called VSD, has negative manifestations on the part of the cardiovascular, respiratory and autonomic nervous system, which, in the first place, suffer from increased meteosensitivity.

Violations from the vegetative system lead to a deterioration in the adaptive abilities of the body, which begins to suffer difficult various changes in weather conditions. And the pathologies of the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system are always accompanied by symptoms of meteosensitivity. Thus, the symptomatology of meteorology and VSD are superimposed on each other, and we have a pronounced clinical picture of meteopathy.

Meteosensitivity at IRR is manifested as:

• pain syndrome of different localization (heart, muscles, head, joints),
• sensations of increased heart rate, arrhythmias, dyspnea
• jumps of blood pressure,
• irritability, anxiety, sometimes panic mood,
• deterioration of night rest, the reason of which are: insomnia, falling asleep, frequent awakenings,
• dyspeptic phenomena not related to food intake: sensations of bloating, nausea, vomiting.

Poor state of health when changing weather affects also the performance of patients with VSD, who, willy-nilly, have to take medications that normalize the cardiovascular and nervous system.

Meteosensitivity and meteorolability in VSD have a complicated course and because such patients tend to exaggerate the danger of emerging symptoms, and panic only increases the intensity of cardiac and autonomic symptoms.

Meteosensitivity in pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time for every woman, when she, despite the double burden on the body, becomes incredibly happy. One of the factors that can somewhat overshadow the mood of a pregnant woman, are often changing weather conditions.

Changes in the hormonal background, the nature and speed of the various biological processes in the mother's body can affect the biorhythms of a woman during pregnancy. It becomes more vulnerable and impressionable. Her body, working for two, is experiencing strong overload, and anxiety for the future baby does not give a normal rest. It is clear that any changes in the weather cause the future mom to have a state of health disorder.

Increased oxygen demand causes deterioration in periods of magnetic storms and anticyclones, and low blood pressure has a negative effect on the heart and digestive tract. It aggravates the condition and increased suspiciousness of a pregnant woman, so many symptoms of meteosensitivity and meteorolability in pregnant women can be considered strictly subjective, not having a certain soil. For example, for the manifestation of meteorolability, they can take disturbances in sleep, which are actually caused by an uncomfortable position during night rest due to the growing abdomen and chest and experiences for the health of the unborn child.

Complications and consequences

By itself, meteosensitivity, and even meteorolability, is not a disease. However, this feature of the body can aggravate the course of already existing chronic pathologies, having a negative impact on the person's well-being and work capacity.

If, with light meteosensitivity, we are dealing mainly with subjective symptoms that affect mood rather than mood, the increased meteosensitivity already carries a certain danger due to the presence of objective symptoms. Dangerous symptoms include increased or decreased blood pressure and heart rate. As a consequence, hypoxia of organs and tissues develops, which affects their ability to work.

Even subjective symptoms such as sleep disorders, irritability, fatigue and migraines can adversely affect the performance of labor obligations, communication in the team and at home, which in turn can lead to depressions, dismissals, reprimands and scandals.

Against the background of increased meteosensitivity significantly increases the number of colds, myocardial infarction, cerebral strokes, hypertensive crises.

[7], [8], [9]

Diagnostics of the meteosensitivity

Identifying the meteosensitivity is not difficult, it is enough only to establish the relationship between the periodically appearing symptoms with weather changes or climatic conditions. However, it should be borne in mind that the manifestations of meteorological dependence can hide the symptoms of serious pathologies, which can be identified only by consulting the therapist and special examinations.

On the other hand, even if the specification of the diagnosis is not required, the condition of the patients during temperature and pressure changes, magnetic storms and high air humidity can deteriorate to such a degree that it starts to cause certain fears due to the high probability of complications of cardiovascular, respiratory and neurologic pathologies . Therefore, certain measures should be taken to prevent them.

The primary diagnosis of meteosensitivity consists of two directions: the study of the history of meteorological dependence and the establishment of its relationship with changes in weather conditions. With the first direction, everything is clear, because it is to study the patient's complaints, their dependence on the change of the season and the weather (according to the patient), the measurement of parameters such as blood pressure and pulse, and laboratory tests (a general blood test will show an increase in white blood cells). This part of the diagnosis takes 1-2 days and does not allow to say with great certainty that the deterioration of the patient's state of health is due precisely to the weather.

The second direction of diagnostics is monitoring of changes in the patient's condition in dynamics and comparing the obtained data with the information of meteorologists. All information is carefully recorded to determine the meteorological sensitivity index. This process is quite lengthy, but it allows you to establish meteosensitivity, even in children and relatively healthy people with a hereditary predisposition. A meteotropic index is considered normal up to 2, for children this figure is lower - 1.5.

Based on the meteorological sensitivity criteria, the doctor determines the extent to which a person is dependent on changes in weather conditions.

10 meteorological indicators used in diagnosis:

• presence in the anamnesis of the symptomatology of meteorological dependence,
• subjective complaints about the deterioration of health due to weather changes,
• the appearance of symptoms that signal possible changes in weather conditions (premonition),
• symptoms that appear for no apparent reason: irritability and anxiety, fatigue and reduced activity,
• mood swings, depressive conditions caused by unfavorable weather conditions,
• a certain set of symptoms, repeated when changes in weather conditions,
• anxiety symptomatology is of a short-term nature,
• lack of objective reasons for the deterioration of health or health pathologies with the same symptoms as meteorolability,
• improving the condition of patients on days characterized by stable weather,
• simultaneous occurrence of symptoms of meteorology in different people from the study group.

If a person shows at least 4 or 5 criteria, you can talk about meteorological dependence, more than 5 criteria indicate a meteorological event.

Determine the nature of meteosensitivity (for example, the presence and degree of meteorological dependence or meteorolability) can be done using various tests, including a cold test (Gualterotti-Tromp test), based on the study of thermoregulation. When placing the hand in a cold environment until it reaches 10 degrees, the temperature of the limb in normal conditions (18-20 degrees) should be restored within 6 minutes. If this time is delayed to 10 minutes, you can talk about a violation of adaptive abilities. Meteopaths recovery time is even more than 10 minutes.

Instrumental diagnostics is carried out only if a certain pathology is suspected, for which the symptomatology present in the patient is inherent. In the same direction, differential diagnosis is performed, which helps to distinguish the symptoms of meteosensitivity from the manifestations of existing pathologies of health.

[10]

Treatment of the meteosensitivity

On questions like how to deal with the increased sensitivity of the organism to weather changes and how to reduce the meteosensitivity, there can not be an unambiguous answer, because much depends on the degree of weather dependence, the cause of the onset of anxiety symptoms, the patient's age and the presence of chronic health pathologies. Therefore, the approach to treating meteosensitivity in different categories of people will be somewhat different.

For example, meteosensitivity in infants is most often a physiological or individual feature of the body, so the state is corrected by normalizing nutrition and day regimen, massage and quenching procedures. With such a symptom, as intestinal colic is fought with the help of dill water and correction of nutrition. If the baby is breastfed, the mother will have to re-examine her diet.

In older children, meteosensitivity therapy implies the following:

• correction of the day,
• the temporary abandonment of computer games, television,
• avoiding a large crowd of people and noisy activities,
• frequent quiet walks in the fresh air,
• morning gymnastics and exercises LFK,
• massage and hardening,
• swimming.

In the case of meteoneurosis, it may be necessary to consult a neurologist and train with a psychologist.

If the cause of meteorolability is a certain chronic or congenital pathology, you must first take all measures to eliminate it and stabilize the condition of the small patient.

In principle, the last moment is relevant for patients of any age, since meteosensitivity against a background of various pathologies in the absence of their proper treatment will only increase, acquiring life-threatening forms.

Treatment of meteosensitivity in adult patients includes: exercise exercise, hardening procedures (taking air and sun baths, cold wipes, contrast showers, bathing in pools or pools, etc.) in accordance with age and health. Regular walks in the fresh air, physical exercises that promote a more complete oxygenation of the body (fast walking, running, jumping, skiing, etc.), breathing exercises are also shown, but from smoking, drinking alcohol, coffee and strong it is better to refuse tea.

An important point in the therapy of meteorological dependence is the normalization of the psychoemotional state and night rest. Any sleep disorders, whether it be insomnia, problems with falling asleep or nighttime apnea, require specialist advice and appropriate treatment with sedative and light hypnotic drugs on a plant basis.

With meteorological dependence, physiotherapy is of great benefit. Electrosleep, mud therapy, medical baths (contrast and dry carbon dioxide) will necessarily bring the desired relief.

In principle, you can take a bath and at home. In the presence of severe meteosensitivity symptoms, baths with a water temperature close to body temperature are shown. The time of taking a bath is not limited.

By reducing the loss of strength and operability bath should have a tonic character, and hence its temperature should be not more than 20 ^{on the} C (bath need to practice such organism gradually accustomed to cold water and only in the absence of chronic pathologies). With increased sensitivity to cold temperature should not drop below 30 ^about C. The treatment lasts no more than 5 minutes. Do it better in the morning.

A warm bath with a water temperature of about 38 ^to C has a calming effect, and is recommended before bedtime. While maintaining the temperature of the bath with the addition of hot water, the procedure can be carried out for 30-40 minutes.

Any therapeutic bath is recommended for a course of 10, 12 or 15 procedures. To improve the effect in the bath water, you can add coniferous extract, herbal sediments with sedative effect or aromatic oils (eucalyptus, lavender, fennel, rosemary, etc.).

So, for example, doctors with cardiovascular pathology doctors recommend a 3-week complex, which includes:

• daily morning exercises, ending rubdown with a damp towel (to the end of the course the water temperature, which is moistened towel, should be reduced from 30 to 15 ^{of the} C)
• walks in the fresh air (2-3 times a day for 1-1.5 hours),
• coniferous baths with the addition of salt (water temperature from 37 to 38 ^о С, the duration of the procedure is up to 20 minutes).

This course is recommended twice a year: in March and October.

With increased meteosensitivity, it is recommended to revise your diet, because excess weight is one of the risk factors for the development of meteorological dependence. So you need to avoid high-calorie food, especially one that does not contain useful substances (fast food, sugar, sweets, most confectionery, etc.). However, with a depressed mood or depression, you can still treat yourself with a piece of dark chocolate, as an effective antidepressant.

During bad weather, it is better to abandon heavy, fatty foods that redistribute the bloodstream toward the gastrointestinal tract to the detriment of the brain, which results in symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, migraines. Milk-vegetable diet with the addition of seafood is shown.

But dishes from fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, dietary meat and fish, sour-milk products, eggs, vegetable oils are useful in any weather and in different climatic conditions, so they must be included in the diet, enriching your body with nutrients and nutrients.

Meteorological Aids

Since the basis of the development of meteorological dependence is the disorder of adaptation of the organism to changes in the environment, the main drugs in this case will be adaptogens. Most often resort to the help of adaptogenes of vegetable origin (tinctures of ginseng, magnolia vinegar, golden root (radiola rosea), eleutherococcus, preparations "Pantocrinum" and "Apilac"), less often use synthetic drugs in the form of tablets (Metaprot, Tomerzol, "Trekresan", "Rantarin").

These drugs have a general strengthening effect, stimulating the cardiovascular and nervous system, increase immunity, improve thermoregulation and metabolism, prevent respiratory diseases, and facilitate the condition of meteodependent people.

Take them in the recommended dosage, otherwise there may be reactions of increased excitation of the nervous system, threatening insomnia and irritability. Tincture of ginseng should be taken 20-40 drops per reception, tincture of lemongrass - 10-15 drops, tincture of the golden root - from 2 to 10 drops, eleutherococcus extract - 10 to 30 drops per reception. The effective dosage is established by practical means. Multiplicity of reception - 2-3 times a day. The last reception of adaptogens should be carried out not later than 3 hours before a dream.

Assigning the above plant preparations, the doctor must take into account and contraindications to their use:

• tincture of ginseng - hypertension, CNS pathology and increased nervous excitability, mental disorders, hyperthyroidism, poor blood coagulation,
• tincture of magnolia vine - acute infections, hypertension, cardiovascular pathologies, liver and CNS diseases, epilepsy, craniocerebral trauma, mental disorders and increased CNS excitability,
• tincture of the golden root - hypertension, mental disorders on the background of increased excitability of the central nervous system, fever, autoimmune pathologies,
• extract eleutherococcus - myocardial infarction, acute infections, purulent inflammation, autoimmune and mental illnesses, CNS pathology, epilepsy, hypertension, brain diseases.

Any of these drugs are not prescribed if a person has hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. The appearance of such side effects as allergic reactions, increased excitability, sleep disorders, discomfort and pain in the chest, increased blood pressure, shortness of breath, nasal congestion and runny nose, nausea, heart rhythm disturbances, hot flashes require a doctor to review the treatment.

"Pantocrine" is another natural preparation with a fortifying effect that improves the adaptive properties of the body. In pharmacies, it can be found in the form of a tincture or tablets based on an extract from the reindeer antlers.

Take the drug in the form of tablets of 1-2 pcs. 2 or 3 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. Liquid extract is used for oral and intramuscular injection in a dosage prescribed by a doctor.

The drug is not prescribed for hypertension, obvious atherosclerosis of blood vessels, cardiac pathologies, increased CNS excitability, nephritis, diarrhea, oncological pathologies, with increased blood viscosity, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and hypersensitivity to the drug.

Metaproth is one of the synthetic adaptogens that increase the body's resistance to damaging factors (stress, hyperthermia, oxygen starvation, etc.).

Effective dose - 1-2 capsules. Take the drug in this dosage you need 2 times a day for 5 days, then make a two-day break. The number of courses can vary from 2 to 5.

Do not prescribe the drug for hypertension, epilepsy, glaucoma, low blood sugar, impaired liver function, arrhythmias, lactose intolerance and other components of the drug. Not intended for use in pediatrics. Do not use in pregnancy and lactation.

In the prevention of meteosensitivity in meteozavisimyh people recommended 4 times a year to undergo a 3-week therapeutic course aimed at improving blood microcirculation and correcting its coagulability. To this end, it is recommended to take the following medicines once or twice a day:

• ascorbic acid 0.1 g
• Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) 0.25 g
• potassium chloride - 0.5 g
• rutin (vitamin P) - 0.04 g.

If the meteosensitivity is caused by various health pathologies, the doctor prescribes in parallel medications that help if not to cure the disease, then at least reduce its symptoms (for example, vasodilators for hypertension or antiarrhythmics for heart rhythm disturbances).

The weakening of the adaptive and protective properties of the body often becomes a consequence of a lack of vitamins, so if necessary, the doctor prescribes vitamin or vitamin-mineral complexes containing, in addition to vitamins, also calcium, potassium, iron.

Surgical treatment for meteorological dependence is not carried out. An exception may be the cases when meteorological dependence develops against the background of cardiovascular pathologies. But again, the operation is performed according to indications associated with the underlying disease, and not with meteosensitivity.

Alternative treatment

Alternative medicine also does not stand aside from the problem of meteorological sensitivity and meteorolability, because many plants and products have the properties to increase immunity and improve the body's adaptation to changing weather conditions.

Such products as garlic, onions and lemon not only protect us from colds, but also stimulate blood circulation, reducing sensitivity to weather.

For those who are inclined to anticipate changes in the weather, such recipes as green tea with cranberries and lemon or milk with mint and honey will also be useful. These simple and tasty drinks will help you to easily survive any changes in temperature and pressure.

By the way, with respect to honey, not everyone knows that it is one of the best natural adaptogens. However, this is so. Honey has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system and the state of the vessels, which means that it is a universal medicine in meteorological dependence.

It is best to use honey honey from lime and buckwheat, as well as bee products such as propolis and royal jelly (by the way, the drug "Apilak" was created on the basis of the latter). However, these products are strong allergens, and also have some contraindications, so before you start taking them, you should always consult your doctor.

An important role in the therapy of meteorological dependence is assigned to the treatment of herbs, for good reason, even official medicine recognizes as medicinal products the tincture of eleutherococcus, ginseng, pink radish, magnolia vine and other plants that have the property of enhancing the adaptive properties of the body. At meteorological sensitivity and meteorolability, such herbs as medicinal millet (its infusion reduces arterial pressure), black elderberry (fruit juice helps to transfer magnetic storms), and elecampane (alcoholic tincture of plant roots are used during magnetic storms and pressure drops) will be useful.

If the state of health worsens on the eve or during the change in the weather, the alcoholic tincture of 2 plants: celandine and calendula will help. For half a liter of vodka or alcohol take one tablespoon of calendula flowers and half a teaspoon of chopped herb celandine. Insist 1,5 months in a dark cold place. Take the medicine 2 times a day, dissolving 10 drops of tincture in a glass of water.

Homeopathy

By the way, many homeopathic remedies have such a feature, as the ability to alleviate the condition of people with meteorological dependence. It is only worth reading the annotation to them.

Deterioration of a person's state with changing weather is one of the indications for the use of drugs Actea spicata, Alumen, Cimicifuga. The drug Baryta carbonica is prescribed if the symptoms of meteorological dependence are associated with high humidity. Dulcamara will be useful in worsening the state of health caused by the change of weather to cold and wet.

With headaches against the background of meteorological dependence, the Gelsemium preparation will be useful. But Natrium carbonicum is shown with the same symptoms, if they are caused by heat. He also will prevent colds.

Meteosensitivity and meteorolability associated with changes in temperature can be treated with the medicines Physostigma and Ranunculus bulbosus. But to cope with a premonition of bad weather or storm will help homeopathic remedies Rhododendron and Psorinum.

As for the dosage of the above drugs, there are no general recommendations and can not be. Homeopathic preparations have their own characteristics. Their action depends not so much on the patient's age, but on the constitutional and psychophysical characteristics of his organism. Only a homoeopathic doctor can choose a suitable medicine and an effective dosage.

Prevention

Perhaps it seems to someone that such a feature of the organism as meteosensitivity can not be corrected, which means that a person will have to experience the most unpleasant experience of any changes in weather conditions and drink a lot of medicines to remove various symptoms of a pathology called meteorolality. This opinion is erroneous, since compliance with certain rules and timely treatment of chronic pathologies will help reduce the sensitivity to weather changes to a minimum.

Everyone knows that it is easier to prevent the disease in most cases than to treat it. This is very true in relation to such violations in the body as increased meteosensitivity and meteorolability. To avoid the appearance of such violations it is enough:

• mandatory treatment of any disease, not allowing their transition to a chronic form,
• take care of strengthening immunity,
• use only useful and as easy as possible food,
• love sports,
• more to move and temper your body,
• while working at the computer every hour to do 15-minute rest breaks, during which to go out into the fresh air (the same is recommended to do people engaged in heavy physical labor),
• forget about bad habits, including overeating,
• learn to calmly endure stressful situations,
• as often as possible to be in the fresh air,
• to adjust the regime of the day, so that rest would correspond to physical loads during the day,
• whenever possible several times a year to go for a few days to nature, away from the city bustle and dust.

If it is too late to talk about the prevention of meteosensitivity, it is possible to stabilize your condition by taking certain measures on the eve of a bad weather, which you can learn from the signal symptoms or from the information of weather forecasters. For example, after learning about the approaching magnetic storms, anticyclones or rainy weather, it is worth reducing physical activity and adjusting the diet to light plant foods.

If a person takes medication in connection with the underlying disease, it may be worth while to slightly increase their dosage or multiplicity of reception during this period, but this should be done only with the permission of the attending physician. If you feel worse, you should lower your legs for a while in cool water and sit relaxed.

A good preventive effect is hardening and acceptance of plant adaptogens, but always remember that such treatment is not suitable for people with high blood pressure and acute infectious pathologies. They are better suited sedatives based on herbs.

[11], [12]

Forecast

The prediction of meteosensitivity and meteorolability depends entirely on the patient's desire to be healthy and happy. It is clear that to cure chronic diseases is almost impossible, and hence meteozavisimost against their background will remain a feature of the body for many years. But you can always take specific measures to ensure that the underlying disease remains remission for as long as possible, controlling the changes in weather conditions and preventing the appearance of unpleasant symptoms.