How Does Barometric Pressure Affect Humans?

Barometric pressure is also called atmospheric pressure or air pressure.

Barometric pressure, also called atmospheric pressure or air pressure, is the force or weight of the air surrounding us. Barometric pressure is measured by a barometer. Read on to learn more about what is barometric pressure and its effects on human health.

A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure pressure exerted by the air molecules in the atmosphere, in a given region. One of the most common types of barometers is a mercury barometer, in which the height of a column of mercury that exactly balances the weight of the column of atmosphere over the barometer represents the barometric pressure at that point. At standard sea level, the barometric pressure equals 760 mm (29.92 inches) of mercury.

Differences in air temperatures above the earth cause changes in barometric pressure. Barometric pressure decreases with altitude, as air gets thinner and colder. A rise in barometric pressure is generally considered an improvement in the weather or clear skies, while low barometric pressure may mean worsening weather, and rain or snow, within a day or two.

When barometric pressure is high, the air is heavy and dense and stays close to the earth's surface, allowing the sun to shine. Low pressure allows the air to rise and form clouds, and produce rain, or snow if it is cold enough. Low pressure also produces high winds because air can move more easily, and when it happens over a warm ocean, it can generate a storm.

A fall in barometric pressure can affect health in various ways.

Mountain sickness or altitude sickness

Mountain sickness or altitude sickness refers to a group of general symptoms that occur when climbing or walking to a higher altitude or elevation too quickly. The barometric pressure is low enough to produce altitude sickness at heights above 1,500-3,000 m (5,000-10,000 feet). This happens especially when a person ascends too rapidly not allowing their bodies to adapt or acclimatize to the fall in pressure and oxygen levels with increasing altitude.

Symptoms of mountain sickness or altitude sickness may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Feeling uneasy or sick
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness or fatigue
• Dizziness

If altitude sickness is left untreated, the symptoms may progress to severe breathlessness, cough, vomiting, confusion, and unconsciousness. These symptoms occur because the fall in barometric pressure causes the tissues in the lungs and brain to swell (visualize the change in the size of a sponge when you squeeze and release it) in an attempt to get more oxygen. The dilated blood vessels in the brain may cause headaches and swelling of the brain. The swelling puts pressure on the brain, squeezing it against the skull.

Altitude sickness may rarely advance to a more severe form of the illness called high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). HACE occurs when brain swelling becomes severe, manifesting as severe headache, confusion, lethargy, lack of coordination, irritability, vomiting, seizures, coma, and eventually death if untreated. Severe altitude sickness may cause the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) in the lungs to become swollen and leaky. This leads to an accumulation of fluid in the air sacs of the lungs. This condition is known as high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). HAPE severely decreases the exchange of oxygen in the lungs, which may cause breathing difficulties and even death.

Worsening of arthritis

Arthritis refers to the inflammation of joints. Worsening of arthritis may be due to the changes in the joint fluid as the pressure changes. Arthritis manifests as painful, swollen joints that may be associated with joint stiffness.

Elderly people often describe the pain associated with a fall in barometric pressure as a storm coming in their knees (storms are associated with a sudden fall in barometric pressure). Some people may be more sensitive to weather changes experiencing more joint stiffness, pain, and swelling with a barometric pressure decline.

Scientists suggest a fall in air pressure allows the tissues (including muscles and tendons) to swell or expand. This exerts pressure on the joints resulting in increased pain and stiffness. A fall in air pressure may exert a greater effect if it is accompanied by a fall in temperature as well. A lower temperature makes the joint fluids thicker, eventually worsening symptoms.

Headaches

Some people report worsening of headaches including those caused by sinusitis (sinus inflammation) and migraines when the barometric pressure falls.

How are barometric pressure and headaches related?

The skull has several air pockets called sinuses that keep the skull light. When air pressure drops, there is a difference in the pressure of the outside air and the air in your sinuses. This can cause a headache with a small change in pressure. This is the same reason why ears sometimes "pop" when an airplane ascends causing a difference in the air pressure on either side of the eardrums.

When the barometric pressure falls beyond a certain limit, there may be associated swelling of blood vessels and tissues in and around the brain causing worsening of headache. The pain is generally felt in one or both temples along with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, intolerance to light, and numbness in the face and neck.

How do you stop barometric pressure migraines?

Studies show a drop in barometric pressure is a migraine trigger for some people. However, typically migraines have several triggers, and weather changes usually people if they are already vulnerable to a migraine attack. People with weather sensitivity could move to a place with more stable weather, however, this is not a viable option for most people. Since weather conditions are out of your control, and barometric pressure is only one of the triggers, you could try to avoid other triggers that contribute to your migraine.

The following are some tips to prevent, stop, and treat barometric pressure migraines:

• Avoid common food triggers such as red wine and other alcohols, caffeine, foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG), and foods high in nitrates such as leafy green vegetables, Chinese cabbage, radish, and others. Don't skip meals.
• Drink a lot of fluids and stay well-hydrated.
• Get adequate rest and sleep.
• Avoid moving between cold and hot environments too quickly if you are sensitive to temperature changes.
• Manage stress with deep breathing and other techniques.
• Bright sunlight can be a trigger too, avoid it if you can, or wear sunglasses if you must go out.
• Before known weather systems you are sensitive to hit, take preventive medication. However, be cautious, because medication overuse can cause headaches too.
• If you feel indications of your migraine coming on, take your migraine medication, lie down in a cool, quiet, darkened room, and rest.

What does a barometric pressure headache feel like?

A barometric pressure headache can cause pain around your sinuses and temples. You may have a postnasal drip and your eyes may water. If you tend to get barometric pressure migraines, you may also have common migraine symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sound and light sensitivity, and numbness in the neck and face.

Why am I so sensitive to barometric pressure?

Barometric pressure affects everyone, although, some people are more sensitive to it. Research indicates changes in barometric pressure may affect mood and alter pain sensitivity in some people. Change in outside air pressure is thought to make blood vessels and tissues expand, which may cause pain in some people. These changes may not be perceptible for many people, but some are more sensitive to the effects than others.

People who suffer from painful conditions such as arthritis and migraine tend to be more susceptible to pain with a drop in barometric pressure. Barometric pressure change has been found to also affect people with other conditions including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), epilepsy, and panic disorders.

How does barometric pressure affect a person?

Barometric pressure exerts a certain pressure or force against our body, and when this pressure drops, there is a difference between the pressure outside and in the tissues inside our bodies. The tissues expand and press against the bone and joints, causing pain and discomfort. The difference in pressure causes our ears to pop; everyone experiences this when we ascend or descend rapidly in a lift or an airplane. Low barometric pressure and oxygen cause high altitude sickness in the mountains for the same reason and increase the susceptibility to pain in people with arthritis or migraine.