Does Air Pollution Or Weather Trigger Headaches?

A new study shows that higher temperatures and lower barometric air pressure may lead to a higher, short-term risk of headaches, but air pollution may not have a significant effect on headache. The research is published in the March 10, 2009, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

For the study, researchers looked at 7,054 people who were diagnosed with headache in a Boston emergency department over seven years. Scientists then compared temperature levels, barometric pressure, humidity and other air pollutant or weather factors during one to three days leading up to the hospital visit.

The study found that higher temperatures increased the risk of headache. The risk went up by 7.5 percent for every five degree Celsius increase in temperature. Lower barometric air pressure within the two or three days leading up to a person's hospital visit also increased the risk of non-migraine headaches. Air pollution levels had no affect on the risk of headache in the study.

"Air temperature and pressure have been widely cited as a possible trigger for headaches, particularly migraines, but the potential connection hasn't been well-documented," says study author Kenneth Mukamal, MD, with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston.

"There is growing interest in exploring whether there is any link between air pollution and headaches. While our study did not find an association, other studies have shown that air pollution has possible links to other health problems like heart disease and stroke," said Mukamal.

It is estimated that costs associated with migraines total 17 billion dollars in the United States.

The study was supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), dementia, West Nile virus, and ataxia.

How do I deal with health problems caused by work?

The law places responsibility on both employers and employees to look after health and safety at work. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is a national government department that aims to help people to understand what these responsibilities mean, and to ensure that they are taken seriously.

If you believe that your work may be affecting your health, you should first discuss your concerns with your manager, occupational healthcare specialist, or nurse. Your trade union representative, or safety representative, may also be able to help you.

Where a specific medical condition has caused problems at work, you should seek advice from your GP. If you have spoken to your employer about the problem, and you think that they are exposing you to risks, or they are not meeting their responsibilities, and you do not feel that you have got a satisfactory response, you can contact the HSE, or your local authority, if your place of work is inspected by them.

Coping with work-related stress

The modern working environment can often be a stressful environment. However, it is important not to ignore the symptoms of stress because they can have a long-term detrimental effect on your health. The HSE estimates that work-related stress is responsible for a third of all new incidences of ill health. Prolonged work-related stress can lead to depression and anxiety.

Signs that you may be experiencing work-related stress include:

• finding yourself eating 'on the run', or not at all,
• smoking, or drinking, excessively,
• doing several tasks at once,
• missing breaks and taking work home with you,
• constantly rushing from one place to another,
• feeling that there are never enough hours in the day to complete your work, and
• finding it hard to make time for exercise and relaxation.

If you are experiencing work-related stress, you should talk to your manager and your human resources department. Your employers have a duty of care to take all reasonable steps to resolve the problem. It is also in their best interest to have a happy, healthy, and productive, workforce

Many people find themselves stressed because they place unrealistic expectations on themselves and constantly accept new tasks and responsibilities. It is important to learn to say 'no' occasionally, or explain to your manager that you have many conflicting priorities which cannot all be accomplished at once.

Taking regular exercise is also a good way to relieve stress.

What are the incubation periods for infections?

The incubation period is the time between catching an infection and showing symptoms.

These timings are not exact, as you may notice symptoms more quickly or later depending on your age, state of health, and the severity of the infection.

• Diphtheria: 2-9 days
• Tetanus: 1 day- 2 months (commonly 7-8 days)
• Pertussis (whooping cough): 5-21 days (commonly 7 days, rarely more than 10)
• Polio: 7-14 days
• Measles: 6-21 days (commonly 10 days)
• Chickenpox: 10-21 days
• Fifth disease ('slapped cheek' syndrome): 13-18 days
• Mumps: 16 to 21 days
• Rubella (German measles): 14 to 21 days

What should I do? If I got rectal/anal bleeding.

If you've noticed blood in or on your stools, on the toilet paper, or in the water in the toilet bowl, it can be quite alarming. It's also something that many people feel embarrassed about, and therefore often try to ignore it. However, doctors are very used to this type of problem, because it is very common, so there is no need to feel embarrassed.

Any bleeding from your rectum (end part of the large bowel) or anus (the opening which stools pass from your body) should always be checked out by a GP. It is usually temporary and easily treated, but it can be a sign of something more serious. If it is due to a more serious condition, it is always better to start treatment as quickly as possible.

There are many causes for rectal or anal bleeding. Haemorrhoids (piles) are a very common condition. They are swollen veins in the rectal and anal area which can cause bleeding, itching and irritation, pain and discomfort. Sometimes they protrude, which means that you can see and feel them on the outside of the anus. Haemorrhoids are usually temporary, but if they persist your GP will be able to suggest a suitable treatment.

Anal bleeding can also be caused by an anal fissure, which is a tear just inside the anus which may be caused by passing hard stools.

The discomfort caused by haemorrhoids and anal fissures can be eased by following a few simple guidelines:

• keep the area clean by bathing or showering daily,
• dry the area carefully but thoroughly,
• use soft toilet paper, and dab rather than wipe,
• don't scratch,
• avoid constipation by eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and high-fibre foods, such as bran cereal, and
• drink plenty of fluids, ideally 8-10 glasses of water every day.

Haemorrhoids and anal fissures can often heal by themselves, but if you still have the same symptoms after a few days, you should see your GP.

You should seek immediate medical attention if your rectal/anal bleeding is accompanied by any of these further symptoms:

• black or maroon stools,
• bleeding that is worsening,
• fever,
• dizziness or fainting spells,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pains or swelling,
• recent weight loss,
• altered bowel habits,
• severe diarrhoea,
• diarrhoea that continues for longer than a few days,
• pencil-sized stools,
• leaking of faeces that you cannot control, or
• inability to have a bowel movement.

What should I do if I have belly button discharge?

If you have redness, inflammation (swelling), and/or a yellowish discharge inside or around your belly button, follow these simple guidelines for 2-3 days:

• try not to pick or scratch the affected area,
• clean your belly button gently with salt water twice a day, and
• dry it carefully but thoroughly after washing.

If after a few days you still have the same symptoms, you should see your GP so that they can investigate the cause of the irritation. If you have an infection your GP may prescribe a course of antibiotics.

How can I get rid of dust mites?

Almost every home in the UK has unwanted lodgers - the common dust mite. You can't see them because they're so small, but left long enough, you will definitely start to notice their presence. And lots of people are allergic to them, with 20% of the population suffering from the little blighters.

The mites are often to blame for causing conditions like asthma and eczema, because their droppings cause an allergic reaction in some people. But there are ways to reduce the amount of mites in your home.

Simple measures like airing your bed, hovering your mattress and carpets daily, and opening your windows when you're cooking and cleaning can all help. Dust mites don't like being too cold, too hot or too dry, they love humid conditions like a snug bed or a cosy carpet.

To prevent the fiends getting too comfy, you can replace feather pillows and duvets with synthetic ones. You can also use cotton sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers to combat the crawlies. Vinyl flooring or floorboards will also put them off because they won't be able to nest in it the way they do in carpets.

Mites thrive on eating our dead skin cells, which we shed around 50 million of every day. So it's very important to hoover regularly and keep your house as dust free as possible. Once the summer arrives, you'll be able to get rid of even more of them because they don't like sunlight and they'll get blown away on the breeze if you leave your windows open.

If you think you may have an allergy to dust mites, you might be experiencing feelings of a tight chest, wheezing when you breathe, itchy, red skin or watery eyes. If you are, you should see your GP as soon as possible and try ridding the mites from your house by following the advice above.

How can I take care of my feet?

The skin on your feet is quite hardwearing but it is still important that you take care of the most hardworking part of your body.

• Wash your feet every day. You wouldn't think twice about washing your body, so don't forget your feet cleaning with soap or shower gel gets rid of the daily build-up of grime and sweat.
• Dry your feet thoroughly - including between your toes. Fungi flourish in warm, damp conditions, which can lead to athlete's foot.
• Use a pumice stone or foot scrub to exfoliate hard skin on the soles of your feet. This is best done during or after a shower or bath when the skin is soft.
• Trim your toenails. Use nail clippers or scissors to cut straight across each toenail don't cut down the sides as this can lead to in-growing nails. If nails are hard, soften them in a hot bath or shower before cutting them.
• Wear a clean pair of socks everyday, and rotate your shoes so they don't get smelly.
• Don't squash your feet into badly fitting shoes. This can lead to bunions.
• If you have diabetes, blood flow problems can lead to nerve damage or ulcers in the feet. Visit a podiatrist or chiropodist regularly so that any problems are found early.
• After a long day on the go, your feet can feel tender and sore. Rejuvenate them with a hot foot soak, but remember not to plunge very cold feet into hot water, as this can cause chilblains.
• Many of us moisturise our bodies, so each time you do, use a foot cream to soften cracked heels.