The Effects of Climate Change of Health

It doesn’t matter whether you view climate change as a natural or man‑made event. The results are the same: It impacts life in many ways, including human life. Children, older adults, and people with pre-existing medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to dramatic weather variables.

“We know that changes in climate are already affecting our health,” says David Eisenman, MD, UCLA Medical Center. “I am seeing patients in my practice whose seasonal allergies begin earlier in the year, last longer into the season, and are more severe. Pollens have become more widespread and potent due to warmer weather from changes in climate.”

Impact of Wet/Dry Fluctuations

Higher amounts of carbon dioxide are food for plants—resulting in more plants and greater amounts of pollen. Plants and soil absorb about 25 percent of greenhouse gases and do help lessen the effects of climate change. But with increasingly severe droughts, plants are stressed and less efficient. And unfortunately, the heavier-than-average rainfalls don’t balance out the effect of longer drier conditions. According to a recent study in the journal Nature, these extreme wet/dry fluctuations may exacerbate climate change.

OverHeating

High temperatures increase the levels of ozone and other pollutants that make heart and lung diseases worse, especially in young children and older adults. High heat and humidity can also cause heat exhaustion, stroke, and other medical problems. The more asphalt, the hotter it is. Cities can be up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than rural areas and suburbs.

TIP: Don’t ignore official heat emergencies. Have an action plan that includes where you might go to stay cool. Many areas have cooling centers, know where they are. Call friends and loved ones to be sure they are safe. Ensure air conditioning units and fans work before the hot season arrives. And have a supply of water on hand. Staying hydrated is a must.

Wildfires

The 2018 fire season was the deadliest and most destructive in California history.

And experts say the new climate-adjusted reality of shorter rain cycles and longer dry periods means that wildfires are now a threat year round. Wildfire smoke contains fine particles that you can’t see but can lodge deeply into the lungs. If you must go outdoors, public health officials recommend N95 respirators or P100 masks. Treatments for bronchitis and pneumonia rise during and after wildfires. Many people report headaches.

TIP: Put together an emergency supply kit that includes the right masks, nonperishable foods and one gallon of water per day per person for at least three days. A backup generator is also wise. Create a list of evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and medications that include why you take the meds, dosages, and prescriber information.

Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs)

Flooding and high humidity increase mosquito breeding and survival, escalating incidences of VBDs, such as malaria and Zika. Experts predict that changes in climate are likely to lengthen the transmission season and to alter geographic range.

TIP: If you plan to travel, check the CDC website for health-related travel advisories, take recommended precautions, and get any vaccinations. At home and abroad, guard against VBDs by using insect repellant and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants. At home and hotels, check that screens are intact, and sleep under a net if need be.

Impact of Floods

Violent storms create more floods and destroy homes. In addition, when rivers flood, many types of particles can float into the coastal waters, including soil from grasslands, fertilizers, and excrement from livestock. In 2018, record amounts of red tide (large amounts of algae) severely impacted the Gulf Coast of Florida. Microscopic algae are essential to sea life. But, with excess nutrients they can multiply into huge toxic masses, killing ocean life and causing respiratory problems in humans when airborne, which happened in Florida. Be advised that shellfish naturally filter algae. Eating tainted shellfish can lead to digestive problems as well as serious illnesses.

Prepare, Prevent

Disaster preparedness is wise, as is the awareness of how climate fluctuations may affect health. More information on disaster preparedness can be found at ready.gov. Some people feel that reducing their carbon footprint is a worthy actionable step toward prevention, for example, driving less and walking and bicycling more; favoring locally-made goods versus imports; going solar where possible, and reducing, recycling, and reusing bags and containers.

The post The Effects of Climate Change of Health appeared first on University Health News.

Read Original Article: The Effects of Climate Change of Health »