Inflammation is the body’s natural protective response to pathogens and damaged tissues and cells.
Unfortunately, when the climate becomes humid, inflammation may occur because the body is sensitive to the change in barometric pressure.
Although you can not change the humidity levels in your state, you can help fight the inflammation it causes, and we list some ways below, so keep reading to find out how.
1) Anti-Inflammatory Foods
Food is a powerful tool for many illnesses and symptoms, including inflammation.
Many healthy foods have natural anti-inflammatory properties.
The most beneficial foods are those high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K.
Some great foods to add to your diet are:
- Turmeric
- Salmon or fatty fish
- Blueberries
- Olive oil
- Broccoli
- Leafy greens
- Peppers
- Mushrooms
- Grapes
- Avocados
- Dark chocolate
Focus on foods that contain antioxidants because they help prevent, delay, and repair cell and tissue damage.
2) Avoid Inflammatory Foods
Because food plays a major role in inflammation, many foods also cause or worsen inflammation.
Unhealthy foods cause harm to the body, and inflammation occurs to counteract the effects the food may have caused.
Some examples of inflammatory foods are:
- Fast food
- Junk food
- Fried foods
- Soft drinks
- Red meats
- Dairy
Avoid foods high in refined carbohydrates, preservatives, trans fat, added sugar, and are ultra-processed.
3) Be Physically Active
When you are physically active, your muscle cells release a protein that lowers inflammation called IL-6.
IL-6 production is a necessity in the body’s natural restoration process as it encourages inflammation when an injury occurs and reduces inflammation when the body no longer requires inflammation for healing.
Additionally, physical activity partnered with regulated breathing encourages blood circulation. As blood travels through your body, it delivers oxygen to your muscles resulting in pain relief and reduced inflammation.
Inflammation can be uncomfortable, so it is understandable if someone may not want to be active while dealing with these symptoms in the humidity.
Luckily, light activity such as yoga, walking, or stretching is enough to trigger IL-6 release and increase blood flow.
4) Medical Marijuana
Both THC and CBD are anti-inflammatories processed through the body’s natural endocannabinoid system responsible for homeostasis.
You can reduce inflammation with cannabis in any of its forms, such as:
- Topicals
- Flower
- Edibles
- Capsules
- Tinctures
Many chronic diseases are accompanied by symptoms of inflammation and cannabis is often prescribed as treatment.
Consider talking to your doctor about obtaining a medical marijuana card and using it anytime you feel inflammation start to emerge.
5) Get Enough Sleep
Getting the recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night can significantly reduce inflammation.
Since the body does not know why a person is lacking sleep, it instinctually acts as if you are sick or damaged, resulting in the production of pro-inflammatories to help you heal.
Additionally, the body does the majority of its restoration processes while sleeping. Therefore, not getting enough rest can delay the healing of inflammation.
When inflammation becomes bothersome, a short nap in the middle of the day can reduce swelling and offer some relief.
6) Use a Dehumidifier
If humidity is causing or progressing symptoms of inflammation, consider adding dehumidifiers to your home.
Dehumidifiers pull moisture from the air, allowing the respiratory system to breathe comfortably and preventing the body from recognizing changes in barometric pressure.
When an individual breathes air with excess moisture, inflammation occurs because the body’s blood oxygen levels decrease and allergens thrive and rapidly multiply in warm, damp climates.
Additionally, because humid areas are a breeding ground for allergens, mold, mildew, and bacteria, living in a humid area can trigger the production of pro-inflammatories that the body releases to counteract the damage done by any harmful bacteria growth.
7) Take Anti-Inflammatories
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen work well to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain.
These medications are called NSAIDs, and they block the production of prostaglandin enzymes that are part of the body’s healing process.
As previously mentioned, the body becomes inflamed in response to damage. Therefore, inhibiting the production of these enzymes will eliminate inflammation.
Prolonged anti-inflammatory use is not ideal and may lead to organ damage and delayed healing, so these medications should not be used as a primary source of inflammation treatment. However, it is perfectly safe to take NSAIDs periodically for quick relief.
Conclusion
Living in a humid location may cause some individuals to suffer from unnecessary inflammation because the body struggles to adapt to barometric changes and excess moisture.
Luckily, you can find relief by eating foods that fight inflammation, avoiding foods that cause it, getting physical activity, using cannabis or other anti-inflammatories, getting plenty of rest, or adding a dehumidifier to your home.
