How changing weather patterns exacerbate our HAE symptoms
My abdominal swelling and joint pain are affected by barometric changes
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When my family first moved to Colorado almost 20 years ago, I was surprised to see snow in early October, and even on Mother’s Day in the spring. It was especially odd considering we don’t live in the mountains, and the summers here are so warm. But this year, we had virtually no snow at all, and no accumulation of the little we did have. Climatologists are saying we may be facing the biggest drought in the recorded history of the state.
As Northeastern Global News noted, Hunter Lovins, cofounder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, coined the term “global weirding” to describe the increasing frequency of extreme weather patterns and the unpredictability caused by climate change. That sounds about right.
Weather, which is affected by climate change, can have a huge impact on the lives of those of us living with rare diseases, especially if our immune systems are involved. Many people who have arthritis or other joint issues will understand what I’m saying. After I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, I experienced seasonal affective disorder and noticed that changes in the weather not only affected my mood but also my body’s ability to function normally.
For the people in my family living with angioedema, weather changes can mean physical changes as well. My daughter, Leah, primarily experiences great fatigue with her hereditary angioedema (HAE) type 2 flares, in addition to vascular inflammation. My son, Dorian, has HAE type 1 and regularly has difficulty sleeping. Weather fluctuations make him even more exhausted and more susceptible to HAE attacks. I have HAE type 3, with normal C1 levels, and mostly deal with abdominal swelling and joint pain, both of which are complicated by barometric changes. The symptoms of this rare disease are strange enough, but they become even more problematic with rapidly changing weather cycles.
In the past few weeks, the weather has been especially dramatic. It has gone from lows in the 20s (F) to highs in the 80s with different types of precipitation included. Not only has this been difficult for the plants in my garden, but also for all the human occupants of our home. Frankly, we feel like we’re riding a symptom roller coaster these days.
Fortunately, we’re all on prophylactic maintenance medication and have emergency treatment for breakthrough attacks. With all the ups and downs, it’s good to remember to always be prepared for an HAE flare.
While we cannot control the peculiar weather fluctuations, and certainly not how our bodies respond, we must remind ourselves of the things we can control. We can monitor the forecast for potential changes that might affect our health. We can try to get plenty of rest in advance to shore up our energy. And we can rely on personal comforts, pastimes, and self-care as needed during an attack.
The most important thing we can do is take care of ourselves and support each other throughout these difficult episodes.
Note: Angioedema News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Angioedema News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to angioedema.
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