Meteorosensitivity

[vaneramos]

Maybe it's not just my imagination that I'm a human barometer.

For the past few days we have had cooler, rainy, calm weather. Halfway through this morning I suddenly felt so gross I could hardly stay on my feet. I just had to go sit in the bathroom: general body aches, fatigue, an intense mood swing, lack of concentration, irritible bowels. A few minutes later, having recouped some energy, I emerged to discover a breeze had come up and the clouds were starting to break.

I've previously noticed physical symptoms during storms, summer and winter. The ailments may also include migraine, arthritis pain and anxiety. This summer it seems to be happening more frequently, and not only in association with bad weather, but whenever a front moves through. Maybe I'm just noticing it more because I'm paying more attention, and less willing to accept feeling bad for no apparent reason.

So I tried to find information online. I did find a term for the condition: meteorosensitivity. One paper suggests extra-low-frequency atmospheric pressure oscillations associated with barometric change may disrupt mental activity in humans. Strangely, most of the useful articles are translated from Greek, Chinese and other languages. Any scientific research appears to have taken place in Europe. A doctor promoting one naturopathic remedy even refers to "what the Europeans called 'meteoro' sensitivity." Wikipedia lacks a reference.

To me, the idea that we should not be physiologically sensitive to weather conditions seems preposterous. I suppose this is another mode of denial rooted in the belief we are superior to nature.

Comments

[niyabinghi.livejournal.com]

I think a number of people who have greater sensitivities in general also tend to be more sensitive to weather conditions and changes.
Normally, I like being affected by the weather changes -- except when it's only sheer drainingness from high heat and humidity, heh.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind if the symptoms weren't hitting me so hard at work, where migraine and inability to concentrate mix poorly with using routers and table saws. This morning I took a short break and the symptoms eased off, but at least three times this summer I have had to leave work because of it.