Record-setting dip in barometric pressure predicted by forecasters

HUTCHINSON — A robust storm system is expected to bring unsettled weather and windy conditions over the next two days. It might also bring some of the lowest barometric pressure in Kansas since records were kept.

What does that do to your health? Some say it does have an effect on joints and muscles. But what are some of the things that your body goes through with changes in the weather?

According to an article in Migraine Again, the first is blood pressure. “Just as its name implies, our blood moves through our bodies using a pressure system created by the heart,” the article states. “So it makes sense that this pressure would be affected by the pressure in the air around us. According to biometeorologist Jennifer Vanos, Ph.D., when the barometric pressure drops, so does your blood pressure. For some, this might mean a feeling of dizziness or even blurred vision.”

Another health issue could come from those who suffer from migraines. Some doctors say that low barometric pressure can cause headaches or migraines by creating a pressure difference between the atmosphere and the air-filled sinuses. The problem is exacerbated when the sinuses are congested or blocked for any reason.

A symptom most complained about is joint pain. Researchers at Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston surveyed 200 patients with knee osteoarthritis and found a link between changes in barometric pressure and ambient temperature and changes in knee pain severity. It’s not clear why a falling barometer would exacerbate joint pain and arthritis, but studies such as this one confirm it does.

Low barometric pressure also can cause problems for diabetics as they try to control their blood sugar. Studies show that blood viscosity increases during cold fronts, making it more difficult to keep blood sugar at stable levels.