Mar. 29--Allergy forecasts can help prepare those who suffer from a reaction to airborne pollen -- including asthmatics -- better prepare for the days ahead.
But what about weather forecasts for arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, heart conditions and migraines?
MediClim is a Web site developed by a physician and meteorologist that links chronic health problems to weather conditions, and it issues free e-mail alerts 24 hours before the arrival of weather conditions that may trigger health symptoms.
"Research has shown the association of weather patterns with disease," said Dr. John Bart, a general practitioner in Toronto who noticed in the early 1980s that patients were having similar complaints on the same days.
Bart asked one of his patients, meteorologist Denis Bourque, if weather could be the common factor. Over the years, Bart and Bourque discovered evidence in European studies that supported the weather-health theory. In 2007, they joined a Canadian research study linking weather patterns with admissions to hospital emergency departments.
"We discovered that when a certain weather pattern occurred, hospital admissions went up," said Bart.
With support from health professionals in Canada, Bart and Bourque set out to come up with an index that would map specific weather conditions known to trigger health problems. In January 2009, MediClim was born.
Beth Gooden of Orlando heard about the Web site a year ago, shortly after it made its debut. She signed up for the service and within days got her first alert -- that her migraine likely would be aggravated within 24 hours.
"I'd say that it's been dead-on more than 90 percent of the time," said Gooden, 41. "It allows me to pre-plan my day. If I know I'm going to have a migraine, I won't make plans for the next day or two."
Bart said the objective of the site is to help people prepare for bad health days.
"We can help people manage their health better," said Bart. "If you have asthma and you know tomorrow is going to be a problem for your area, you can be sure you have your inhaler with you. You can call a friend or relative to make sure they check in on you."
For more information and to sign up for free health warnings, go to mediclim.com. Fernando Quintero can be reached at fquintero@orlandosentinel.com or 407-650-6333.
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