Che cos'è la malattia da cambiamento climatico?

Tempo britannico imprevedibile

Se c'è una cosa su cui possiamo contare con il tempo britannico, è l'inaffidabilità. L'aumento delle temperature in primavera e in estate può essere improvvisamente interrotto da pioggia, temporali e periodi più freddi.

Mentre molti di noi imparano a sbuffare e a roteare gli occhi di fronte a questi flussi e riflussi imprevedibili, i nostri corpi a volte possono trovare più difficile adattarsi. Questo effetto è stato descritto come 'malattia da cambiamento climatico', ma i cambiamenti di temperatura possono davvero farci ammalare?

Puoi prendere un raffreddore a causa di un cambiamento del tempo?

"Interesting question," remarks Dr Aimee Brame, a consultant physician at London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK. "A sudden change in weather doesn't directly make us ill, but it can most definitely affect our health in a number of ways.

"It's important to understand that weather change sickness isn’t the weather itself that can cause the illness, rather the changes in temperature, humidity, and exposure," she says.

Our bodies can interpret a significant change in weather as stress, and when our bodies are stressed, our sistemi immunitari are weakened. This means that our ability to fight off infections is compromised. At the same time, a big shift in temperature and humidity can create the perfect environment for infections to start and then to spread.

In other words, a significant change in weather can't actually make you sick - you need to be exposed to the actual viruses, such as the ones that cause the raffreddore comune oppure influenza virus. However, it can influence factors - in both your body and the surrounding environment - that make you more vulnerable to becoming ill.

Non si tratta solo di virus invernali

When the UK summer turns to autumn and temperatures drop, many of us brace ourselves for the start of stagione di raffreddore e influenza. Tuttavia, potremmo sperimentare malesseri dovuti ai cambiamenti climatici durante tutto l'anno - specialmente quando cambiano le stagioni.

Although we talk about it less in the warmer seasons, it's also possible to feel run-down due to a sudden weather change in the spring and summer. One potential reason is that specific viruses peak at different times of the year, and are not only influenced by decreases but also increases in temperature and humidity.

Sintomi di malessere da cambiamento climatico

Any weather change sickness symptoms you experience will depend on which of the above weather change factors have affected you. Rather than getting specific weather change sickness symptoms, many people feel more generally under the weather if their immune systems are put under stress.

Eventuali sintomi specifici che si manifestano a causa di questi fattori sono probabilmente causati da infezioni virali comuni come il raffreddore, o dalla febbre da fieno.

Riaccensioni di sintomi asmatici come breathlessness and wheezing are also common. This is because people with asthma may find that extremes of temperature - both extreme cold and heat - and humidity, respiratory infections and allergies can all make asthma worse.

If you're finding it difficult to cope, Brame suggests making an appointment to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

"There are plenty of things we can do to make you feel better," she says.

Proteggersi dai malanni dovuti ai cambiamenti climatici

Non è sempre possibile evitare di sentirsi esausti, prendere infezioni delle vie respiratorie superiori o sfuggire ai fattori scatenanti delle allergie. Detto questo, ci sono passi che puoi fare per sostenere il tuo sistema immunitario e aiutarti a proteggerti da alcune delle sfide che un grande cambiamento climatico porta con sé.

Pratica una buona igiene

Lavarsi le mani regularly can help stop the spread of infections such as rhinoviruses - which cause colds, sore throats, and sinus infections. These germs can sometimes survive on touchable surfaces, such as workstations and door handles, for up to 48 hours.

Take your preventer medicine

Use of preventer inhalers for asthma and hay fever medicine started before the time you usually get your symptoms can ward off weather change symptoms.

Get your yearly flu jab in autumn or winter months

If you are eligible for the free vaccino antinfluenzale on the NHS, this gives a good level of protection against seasonal flu in the colder months.

Mantieniti fisicamente attivo

Regular exercise can strengthen your immune system, which helps your body to fight viral infections such as cold and flu.

Dormi a sufficienza

Establishing a habit of getting enough undisturbed sleep each night can give your immune system a significant boost.

Gestisci i tuoi livelli di stress

Feeling stressed can have a big impact on your immune system response to infections.

Bevi molta acqua

Staying well hydrated plays a key role in keeping you healthy and your essential functions working properly.

Segui una dieta equilibrata

This means consuming a wide range of nutrients and vitamins. For example, foods rich in vitamin C, vitamin B12 , and zinc are conosciuti per le loro qualità che potenziano il sistema immunitario.