Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | You're not imagining things...

The climate in which you live can make a substantial difference in the frequency and severity of your attacks. Hot, humid weather in particular is actually a stress factor in and of itself, because 1) heat stresses the body, and 2) air pressure changes from humidity affect the levels of serotonin in the body (and over 90% of that serotonin is in your gut), which in turn reduces your pain tolerance level.

I lived in New England for almost 8 years, and the hot, humid summers nearly killed me. I spent every summer struggling to just stay stable (and stay indoors, next to the air conditioner, to stay sane). I had to eat so much more carefully, every single day. I couldn't wait to get back home to Seattle and mild, dry summers, and my health (and state of mind) improved drastically when I did.

Interestingly, I'd spent summers in Arizona as a teenager, and the scorching desert heat didn't bother me one bit. It's the humidity that causes problems.

TessLouise, your friend is likely going to do much better after her move.

- Heather

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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!

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