Heat waves and global warming in general are exacerbating the effects and spread of diseases that seriously affect human health. This climate changeTherefore, it does not only affect ecosystems, biodiversity or water resources. It also makes the world population sick. Researchers at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio (USA) reviewed 364 studies dating back to 1990 and global temperatures and meteorological events increasingly seriousincreased risk of stroke, dementia, and multiple sclerosis. But according to the study, it’s not just chronic diseases that are the issue, but milder ailments like headaches have also become more common.
Previous scientific studies have already shown that longer summers and higher temperatures place more stress on the human body. heart. The body has to work harder to stay cool and pump blood to various organs. And tests show that pollution also seeps into the bloodstream when inhaled. It chronic stress increased risk in the body brain disorders and neurological diseases.
Lead author of the study published in the journal American Academy of Neurology, Dr Andrew Dhawan of the Cleveland Clinic said: “Climate change poses many challenges for humanity, some of which have not been well studied.” “As we witness the effects of a warming planet on human health, it is imperative that neurologists predict how neurological diseases may change.”
The brain shrinks when dehydrated
When exposed to warmer climates, the body becomes dehydrated as it needs more water to make up for lost through sweat. Even mild dehydration can trigger headaches and migraines. According to the Cleveland Clinic, When the brain is dehydrated, it contracts, pulling it away from the skull and putting pressure on nerves, causing pain.
One study found that a higher average temperature the day before going to the hospital increased headaches by 7.5%. Researchers selected 364 studies on adults published between 1990 and 2022 that examined the relationship between health problems and temperature changes, extreme weather events, and air pollution.
Extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations have been linked to increased stroke frequency and intensity, increased migraine headaches, hospitalization of people with dementia, and worsening of multiple sclerosis.
Climate change has expanded warmer and more favorable conditions for the world. diseases affecting the nervous system such as meningitis, encephalitis or polio. This means that new populations are at risk of contracting. animal and insect borne diseasessuch as West Nile virus, meningococcal meningitis, and tick-borne encephalitis. The warming of the weather has also increased tick and mosquito-borne infections.
The study did not reflect on why dementia or multiple sclerosis might worsen with climate change. This may be because older people in general are at greater risk of illness in the heat, partly because of their age, but also because they often live alone and don’t drink enough.
Heat worsens multiple sclerosis
Changes in outdoor temperatures can place additional stress on the brain, making it more vulnerable to processes that lead to diseases such as: dementia. This multiple sclerosis causes nerve signals to slow down. Heat can temporarily worsen symptoms by slowing these signals even further. If the heat is due to the continued rise in global temperatures, symptoms may not improve.
A study of more than three million Medicare patients in New England found that temperature increases of 1.5°C caused a 12% increase in hospitalizations for people with dementia. Another study of over 22,000 emergency room visits for headache It showed that an increase in temperature by 5°C was associated with an increased risk of getting all types of headaches, especially non-migraine headaches.
The reasons for these changes were unclear, but researchers have speculated as to why they might be. temperature changes, the ecosystem Collapse, the exposure to air pollution and Food insecurity. The body detects temperature changes as follows: stress, This can lead to illness, and air pollutants can enter the bloodstream, making it difficult to breathe and also worsening lung diseases.
More research is needed on ecosystem collapse and food insecurity, according to the study’s reviewers. They also said it could be due to climate change causing more. atmospheric pollution, This causes the brain and arteries to age faster.
Global warming makes it easier for the air to stagnate due to increased heat, which can cause continued unhealthy levels of pollutants. Some air pollution particles are so small that skin and can accelerate brown spots, fine lines and wrinkles.
In one study, scientists “meningitis belt” Fine particles blown by the Harmattan winds in Africa intensify the transmission of meningitis. In the Czech Republic, flooding was associated with more cases. encephalitis tick borne
One limitation of the review was that all studies were conducted in rich countries, meaning that the results cannot be applied to poorer regions where climate changes might be more likely. A report published days ago showed that extreme weather conditions are on the rise, with 90% of US states experiencing an air disaster between 2011 and 2021.
Reference work: https://n.neurology.org/content/early/2022/11/16/WNL.0000000000201630.full
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