Does prolonged weather change impact your health? Doctor says yes
While weather anomalies are not entirely unusual, the persistence of these disturbances impacts our health. Weather patterns have become unpredictable, and both the body and individuals are often unprepared for such rapid changes.
The month of March is generally seen as a transition period, when winter recedes and summer begins to set in. Temperatures usually start rising, air conditioners are serviced, and winter clothes are packed away.
In recent years, however, unseasonal rainfall has begun to disrupt this pattern. What once lasted barely a week has now stretched into longer spells, marked by repeated shifts in weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has reported unseasonal rain and hailstones in several northern states of India and heavy snowfall in the Himalayan regions are
This year, March witnessed an unusually early and intense heatwave, with temperatures rising 4 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal in many regions, signalling a rapid shift from winter to summer.
While such weather anomalies are not entirely unusual for this time of year, the persistence of these disturbances are impacting our health.
HOW PROLONGED WEATHER CHANGE IS IMPACTING THE HUMAN BODY
According to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, weather fluctuations affect the body primarily because of a lack of acclimatisation.
When temperatures change abruptly from warm to cold or vice versa, the body does not get enough time to adjust. This weakens immunity and increases the risk of both infectious and non-infectious diseases.
In stable conditions, when the temperature changes gradually over a few days, the body adapts much better.
But when the change is sudden, immunity levels drop, making individuals more vulnerable to infections, and even conditions like cardiac issues or strokes.
GROWTH OF VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
Such fluctuations also create favourable conditions for the growth of different viruses and bacteria.
“Some organisms thrive in warmer temperatures, while others grow in colder or more humid conditions. When the weather keeps shifting, it allows multiple types of infections to emerge at unusual times," says Dr. Suranjit.
Unseasonal rainfall can further worsen the situation. Water accumulation and poor drainage can lead to contamination, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis and typhoid.
CHANGE IN CLINICAL PATTERN
The expert notes that increasing weather variability is now reflecting in clinical patterns.
“We are seeing infections at times of the year when they were not common earlier. For instance, influenza, which was typically a winter illness, is now being observed even during summer or early spring. Similarly, water-borne infections may appear earlier than expected," he adds.
While these illnesses may not always be severe, there is a noticeable rise in people reporting ill health. Dr Suranjit says, "Climate change is clearly impacting health. Weather patterns have become unpredictable, and both the body and individuals are often unprepared for such rapid changes.”
WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS?
Dr. Chatterjee stresses that while it is difficult to fully protect against sudden changes, maintaining a strong health baseline is crucial.
“The body cannot adjust instantly, like a machine," he says, adding that the best defence is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise, so that immunity remains strong enough to cope with these changes.
The month of March is generally seen as a transition period, when winter recedes and summer begins to set in. Temperatures usually start rising, air conditioners are serviced, and winter clothes are packed away.
In recent years, however, unseasonal rainfall has begun to disrupt this pattern. What once lasted barely a week has now stretched into longer spells, marked by repeated shifts in weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department has reported unseasonal rain and hailstones in several northern states of India and heavy snowfall in the Himalayan regions are
This year, March witnessed an unusually early and intense heatwave, with temperatures rising 4 to 8 degrees Celsius above normal in many regions, signalling a rapid shift from winter to summer.
While such weather anomalies are not entirely unusual for this time of year, the persistence of these disturbances are impacting our health.
HOW PROLONGED WEATHER CHANGE IS IMPACTING THE HUMAN BODY
According to Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, weather fluctuations affect the body primarily because of a lack of acclimatisation.
When temperatures change abruptly from warm to cold or vice versa, the body does not get enough time to adjust. This weakens immunity and increases the risk of both infectious and non-infectious diseases.
In stable conditions, when the temperature changes gradually over a few days, the body adapts much better.
But when the change is sudden, immunity levels drop, making individuals more vulnerable to infections, and even conditions like cardiac issues or strokes.
GROWTH OF VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
Such fluctuations also create favourable conditions for the growth of different viruses and bacteria.
“Some organisms thrive in warmer temperatures, while others grow in colder or more humid conditions. When the weather keeps shifting, it allows multiple types of infections to emerge at unusual times," says Dr. Suranjit.
Unseasonal rainfall can further worsen the situation. Water accumulation and poor drainage can lead to contamination, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis and typhoid.
CHANGE IN CLINICAL PATTERN
The expert notes that increasing weather variability is now reflecting in clinical patterns.
“We are seeing infections at times of the year when they were not common earlier. For instance, influenza, which was typically a winter illness, is now being observed even during summer or early spring. Similarly, water-borne infections may appear earlier than expected," he adds.
While these illnesses may not always be severe, there is a noticeable rise in people reporting ill health. Dr Suranjit says, "Climate change is clearly impacting health. Weather patterns have become unpredictable, and both the body and individuals are often unprepared for such rapid changes.”
WHAT ARE THE PRECAUTIONS?
Dr. Chatterjee stresses that while it is difficult to fully protect against sudden changes, maintaining a strong health baseline is crucial.
“The body cannot adjust instantly, like a machine," he says, adding that the best defence is to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular exercise, so that immunity remains strong enough to cope with these changes.
