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UK Health & allergy (incl pollen) forecasts
A service we are re-launching this Spring for 2007 are
our 'Health & allergy forecasts'
Why such forecasts?
It has been known for some time now that different types of weather can effect our
health. Whilst conditions such as expected periods of extreme heat and cold have clear effects on vulnerable groups such
as the very young and the elderly, other conditions may give rise to, or exacerbate, a range of other conditions in some
people. Some of these, like a period of very warm dry windy weather in summer after a wet period may allow for the sudden
dispersal of pollens into the environment, and the daily pollen forecasts give some warning of this. However they do
not anticipate conditions very far ahead. Similarly, there is good evidence that humid thundery periods may
trigger asthmatic attacks in those prone to them and some feel that sudden changes in the weather (from very
warm to cold conditions in a short period for example) can trigger migraine attacks. A recent article in the scientific 'Journal
of Meteorology' documents studies that have largely substantiated these affects*.
Our new service, in association with our sister site, 'Homesweep' offers
you a warning when a range of likely trigger conditions may occur so as to better prepare you for their onset. There
may well be things that you can do to help ease the onset of these conditions; at the very least being prepared for them will
leave you less vulnerable to their potential effects and, we hope, allow you to alter your life a little or reschedule plans,
in advance.
* 'The effect of Weather on Headaches'; J Wilson. J. Met. Volume
30, number 298. April 2005 pp144-146
What we offer
For a one off fee, paid monthly, we will e-mail you when your local
regional conditions are likely to meet our stated criteria for a set period of time in the month ahead. The criteria
(see below) relate to conditions when a range of allergic and other medical conditions may be exacerbated by the weather.
Every time this becomes likely we will e-mail you in advance giving you details of the
period of the event and it's likely severity.
Choose one or more of the following
conditions and we will ensure that you are e- mailed of the onset of them at least 4 days in advance with details
of onset, length and likely severity. Whilst it would not be right (or indeed medically acceptable) for us to try and
gauge how they may then effect you individually (and indeed there is no one common response to a set of conditions),
the forecast length and severity of the condition should help give
some idea, based on your own previous personal experiences as to the possible effects they may have on you individually.
The criteria
For 7.99 a month choose any of the following which will automatically be sent
when conditions are expected to affect your own region
1
-a distinct
period of unusually damp weather (including heavy rain & or thick fog)
Who may benefit
? Those who suffer from conditions like arthritis and other joint conditions may find such weather causes or exacerbates their condition
2
-a distinct period (within a few days) of a change of weather
pattern (eg warm and sunny to cold and cloudy or vice versa)
Who may benefit
? Those who suffer from conditions like migraines and similar conditions may find such weather causes or exacerbates their condition
3 -a distinct period (within a few days) after
a period of damp weather with rainfall when warmer, rather windy weather is likely to enhance the amount of grass,
tree and other crop pollens in the air.
Who may benefit?
Those who suffer from conditions like allergic rhinitis and hay fever may find such weather causes
or exacerbates their condition
4 -a distinct period of thundery weather (thunderstorms,
high humidities)
Who may benefit? Those who are prone to suffer from conditions
like asthma attacks (and for some headaches or migraines) may find such weather causes or exacerbates their
condition
5 -a distinct period of cold weather (temperatures well below the seasonal normal, risk
of ice/snow and cold winds)
Who may benefit? Those who are prone to suffer from poor circulation conditions, lung conditions and are generally eldery or infirm may find such weather causes or exacerbates their condition
6
-a distinct period
of unusual heat and air stagnation (humid air, high heat index, high pollution levels)
Who may benefit? Those who are prone to suffer from
broncial and respiritory problems may find such weather causes or exacerbates their condition.
How to order
Simply fill in the order form just here, send it off and we will do the rest.
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We are all affected by the weather, however for some..
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..have more of an effect, than on others. |
Photos 1 and 2 above kind courtesy of Colin Grice (C)
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