How does Barometric (Air) pressure affect our health?

Migraines from Air Pressure

What is Barometric (Air) pressure ?

Barometric pressure also called atmospheric or air pressure is the force or weight of the air surrounding us. At standard sea level, the barometric pressure equals 760 mm (29.92 inches) of mercury or 1013.25 hPa. 

What Barometric (Air) pressure levels lead to health issues ?

Studies show people are most comfortable with a barometric pressure of 1015.91 hPa. When it rises to 1026.07 hPa or higher, or drops to 1005.75 hPa or lower, there are risks of health issues, and with pressure less than 1007 hPa tied to headaches. The Butterfly provides notifications if the pressure reaches these limits. 

How does Barometric (Air) pressure change ?

Changes in air pressure are typically due to changes in weather, where a rise in barometric pressure is generally considered an improvement in the weather, while a fall in barometric pressure may mean worsening weather. These changes in pressure can affect us in many ways, as well as changes in air pressure within our homes or workplaces due to how today's buildings are insulated. A great website for providing Barometric Pressure Forecast and History for the area you live in. Nice to compare the changes and similarities to your “personal weather station” provided by the Butterfly. The altitude of where we live is also a health factor. A great website created by “Migraines” can be found at Global Barometric Variation – Annual Maps and Monthly Raw Data – SecureVideo, where the best and worse places to live for Migraines can be found. 

The major health issues triggered by Barometric (Air Pressure)

Headaches

This is the most common complaint doctors receive during periods of barometric fluctuation – like the changing of the seasons. And the reason is simple: When the oxygen pressure in the air changes, the oxygen pressure in our blood changes. Your brain’s supply of blood is hyper-sensitive to oxygen changes. If the oxygen pressure in the air dips, the brain prepares to have more oxygen delivered to it. It instructs the body to dilate blood vessels headed to the brain, which increases blood flow… Thus, you get a barometric pressure headache.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure can be affected by changes in temperature AND changes in atmospheric pressure.

Just like your blood vessels constrict in the cold (which raises your blood pressure because your blood has to work harder to get through a narrower avenue), your blood vessels also constrict during changes in humidity, cloud cover, wind, etc. You’ll often find your blood pressure rising as barometric pressure drops.

Joint Pain

Have you ever known a storm was coming because you could feel it in your joints?

That’s because of inflammation, and it’s an oft-reported side effect of barometric pressure changes.

Joint fluid changes as barometric pressure changes. Scientists surmise that this happens when a fall in air pressure lets the muscle tissues and tendons swell, putting pressure on the joints. When lowered barometric pressure is combined with lowered temperature, the viscosity of joint fluids changes and becomes thicker - Double pain.

Blood Sugar

During a pressure drop, the thickening of fluids and blood also affects your blood sugar. Thicker blood lowers blood sugar levels, which contributes to all kinds of other quality of life issues. Diabetics should be especially dedicated to watching their blood sugar levels during barometric pressure dips.

Fatigue

In this case, it happens enough that there’s a term for it: “low barometric pressure fatigue”.

When the weather changes fatigue… the air feels charged… the sky gets dark, and the rain clouds roll through. Anyone who struggles with maintaining their blood sugar levels will recognize that when it’s low, fatigue sets in. That’s partially thanks to the lowered blood sugar, and partially thanks to a few other factors.

First, lowered atmospheric pressure often occurs in conjunction with periods of lowered natural light, which sends a signal to the body to produce more melatonin. But a little more obviously, reduced oxygen in the air results in drowsiness, because you aren’t getting enough oxygen to stay alert.

Monitor Barometric (Air) Pressures seamlessly using the Butterfly

The Butterfly environmental health monitor can provide you the history of barometric pressure changes that can be correlated to your or your family’s health triggers and set to generate notifications if a change in pressure occurs. Additionally, when used indoors can notify you when and how to modify the indoor condition to adjust for changes in air pressure.

What actions can be taken to help alleviate the health effects of Air Pressure

Cool air sinks, which suppresses air molecules and raises air pressure. Therefore, if the air pressure drops cool the house by turning on the air conditioner, opening the windows on a cool day, or utilizing ceiling fans. Warm air rises, causing air pressure to fall. Therefore, if the air pressure increases, change how much heat is being released into the house by opening windows if warmer outside, turn on the heating, or turn off exhaust fans. Keep all this in mind over the next few weeks – you’re not crazy! You’re just made of the same molecules as the atmosphere and responding in kind to its behavior.