A new wave of rain is hitting Brazil this week, keeping the air dry and the weather hot. According to Climatempo, humidity levels can vary between 20% and 12%, with some regions below this value. In São Paulo, for example, air quality was classified as poor to very poor, according to the Environmental Company of the state of São Paulo (Cetesb), in the East and North zones.
In addition to climate issues, dry weather and high temperatures resulting from heat waves can trigger respiratory problems, according to otolaryngologist Bruno Borges de Carvalho Barros, a specialist at the Brazilian Association of Otolaryngology. Recent fires, such as those affecting the Amazon region and cities in the interior of São Paulo, can also pose health risks.
“This happens because the weather is even drier with the smoke released by recent fires, which are still composed of a mixture of toxic gases and fine particles that, when inhaled, can penetrate deep into the respiratory tract,” explains the doctor.
What does dry weather do to the body?
Dry weather can dry out the mucous membranes of the nose, throat and lungs, causing symptoms such as difficulty breathing and coughing, as well as increasing asthma and bronchitis attacks, according to Tatiana Buainain, a general practitioner at Hospital Santa Paula. In addition, allergic rhinitis tends to become more severe due to low humidity, causing frequent itching in the nose and/or eyes, frequent sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion.
Spontaneous nosebleeds can also occur in some cases. This happens because dry weather makes the inner walls of the nose more fragile, making them more susceptible to fissures and bleeding, according to Barros.
In addition to respiratory symptoms, low humidity can leave lips and skin dry, eyes irritated and cause headaches. “Dehydration is also common if there is not adequate fluid intake,” warns Buainain.
Fatigue and low productivity can also be common in dry weather.
Excessive heat makes the body work harder to maintain a balanced internal temperature, as Buainain explains. Consequently, the body uses more energy, causing a greater feeling of tiredness and reducing the ability to concentrate and be productive.
Extreme heat can also cause blood pressure to drop. “This happens due to a phenomenon called vasodilation, which causes our blood pressure to drop and leads to a feeling of fatigue. Therefore, it is very important in cases of extreme heat to stay in cool environments, preferably with air conditioning, and to stay hydrated and use humidifiers,” adds Sara Mohrbacher, a medical clinician and nephrologist at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz.
Furthermore, dry air and heat can disrupt sleep, leading to increased tiredness during the day, since there was not enough rest at night. “Dry air and heat can make the environment uncomfortable, making it difficult to breathe and causing sleepless nights, thus affecting the quality of sleep,” says the specialist.
How to avoid the negative effects of dry weather?
To avoid allergic reactions and irritation of the nasal mucosa, it is important to use saline solution in the form of a nasal spray during the day or to perform nasal lavage at least at night and in the morning. It is also essential to use humidifiers indoors, especially at night, according to Barros. “This can help maintain relative humidity at comfortable levels,” says the specialist.
Other measures include:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day;
- Avoid exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke;
- For those who live near the fires, it is important to stay indoors, avoiding exposure to smoke, and, if possible, keep windows and doors closed and use air conditioning and air purifiers;
- Avoid physical activities during times of high pollutant concentrations (between 12pm and 4pm);
- Moisturize the skin with creams;
- Use air humidifiers;
- Keep windows open for ventilation (in places not affected by smoke from fires).
*With information from Alan Cardoso and Thiago Félix, both from CNN
This content was originally published in Nosebleeds and fatigue: see how dry weather affects the human body on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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