Extremes of weather, both north and south of the equator, have caused not just discomfort but also some serious health concerns.
In Britain heavy snowstorms, the heaviest in about 20 years, have provided the opportunity for keen photographers to get picture-perfect postcard scenes, even around the normally snow-free London. But icy roads and slippery footpaths make moving around a dangerous proposition. And the extra cold temperatures of the northern hemisphere winter have claimed the lives of many older people with poor immune systems.
During summertime, in all Australian states, we’re used to the occasional really hot days; but the 40-plus degrees of so many consecutive days in the south and east of Australia have caused heat stress to many thousands, and scores of deaths as well.
Even so, it’s in the more tropical north of the country where apparent climate change could lead to diseases more commonly associated with developing countries. It seems northern Queensland is in the grip of a dengue fever epidemic. More than 200 cases of dengue have been identified in Cairns and another 30 or so in Townsville.
Dengue fever is carried by mosquitoes. So the only way to prevent dengue (there is no really effective treatment) is not to get bitten and to prevent the mosquitoes breeding.
An insect repellent is essential if you’re travelling to or through the high risk area, or indeed, if you live there permanently. Keeping our house and public places free of stagnant water – the “breeding ground” of the dengue mosquito – will also help manage the problem.
Meanwhile, malaria, usually considered a serious risk only in certain parts of Asia and Africa, is making somewhat of a “comeback” in other areas. (Centuries ago it used to exist in epidemic proportions, even in the cooler climates of Europe.)
The malaria mosquito belongs to a different family from that which transmits dengue, but changing weather patterns could put Australians at risk of this disease at home, not just when travelling overseas.
So, weather has a significant role in global health. Less spectacular and more subtle weather changes can also be responsible for some adverse health consequences on us as individuals.
Temperature, air pressure, and altitude changes are among the many and varied trigger factors for migraine.
Migraine is not just a bad headache, although the pain is usually very severe. Often there are other symptoms, too – so-called prodromal symptoms – up to 24 hours before the migraine starts. These warning signs include mood swings, changes in appetite, thirst and sleepiness.
A migraine might last several hours or several days; and the pain can put severe limitations on normal activities.
Successful treatments will vary from person to person. For people who suffer migraine regularly and frequently, a number of preventive strategies are available. For some people a simple combination of paracetamol and an antinauseant called metoclopramide gives fast effective relief. (This product is now available without prescription). A group of prescription medicines known as triptans have proven to be effective for relief of severe migraine pain.
Now recent research has suggested a medicine used to treat schizophrenia might provide faster pain relief for migraine sufferers. The active ingredient, known as loxapine, is inhaled directly into the lungs in a similar way to asthma inhalers.
Loxapine belongs to a class of compounds called dopamine receptor antagonists which work on symptoms by blocking the production of the brain chemical dopamine.
The new product is not yet available in Australia, but its introduction may provide further hope for people with migraine not helped by existing therapies.
Meanwhile, whether you’re travelling or staying at home, you can get further advice about migraine (and malaria) from your local pharmacist providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. Phone 1 300 369 772 or check out the Society’s website at www.psa.org.au Accurate weather forecasts are not guaranteed.
