Ask any sinus, migraine, chronic back pain or mood disorder sufferer if he has more trouble during certain kinds of weather and you'll get a resounding yes. Got weather aches and pains? If you live in Michigan, hope, in the form of a thunderstorm is on the way.
Whatever ails a person, usually ails him more during rainy, muggy weather. Even animals suffer more during certain weather conditions. My cat, Scooter, who is a pretty easy-going guy, turns into a curmudgeon when the weather is hot and humid. A good friend reported that her generally placid pooch was downright rude when her puppy playmate stopped by for a neighborly sniff during the recent heat wave.
What we are responding to, however, isn't necessarily the weather, it's the barometric pressure (or lack thereof). The barometric or atmospheric pressure is measured in millibars. It reflects the amount of pressure exerted by the air in any given weather conditions. The barometer mercury is in best balance at about 29.92 inches of atmospheric pressure. Anything below that is technically "low pressure". Realistically high barometric pressure is anything over 30.5 and below 28.5. Atmospheric pressure is measured is often listed as "x amount Hg". Hg is the periodic symbol for mercury.
Atmospheric pressure, and hence physical complaints, are also affected by humidity level. For example, in Michigan, the barometer has been reading about 29.67 inches (or Hg), which is not terribly low. However the humidity level (as measured by a hygrometer) has been quite high: about 81-89 percent (77 percent on the wet bulb). Combining those factors can bring on low pressure-related health symptoms.
The most common low pressure-related health complaints are headaches, sinus pressure and migraines. Why so much problem in low pressure conditions vs. high pressure? Think of the air around you like an ocean. When the water level is high, it's easier to float and swim. The lower the water level, the more difficult it is to navigate. Air, like water provides buoyancy. When the pressure is low, it's like trying to walk through water. The pressure drags you down and makes everyday tasks more difficult. Instead of buoying you up, it creates resistance. The resistance puts pressure on areas vulnerable to pain.
Heat waves and thunderstorms that have been playing volleyball with Michigan. The bouncing temperatures, humidity, atmospheric pressure develop into storm systems. Thunderstorms play havoc with temperatures, humidity and pressure in return. They also tend to shake low pressure aches and pains. Most of Michigan's Lower Peninsula is under severe thunderstorm watch. Michigan residents, if you're struggling with headaches, aches and pains, Mother Nature is sending some first aid.
Marilisa Kinney Sachteleben is an avid weather watcher and storm chaser. Living on Lake Michigan gives her plenty of opportunity to do both.
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