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Sunny highs to shivering cold: Wild weather swings take a health toll

Temperature fluctuations bewilder plants and animals and can exacerbate human health problems, especially among those with existing medical conditions

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Updated February 23, 2023 at 4:55 p.m. EST|Published February 23, 2023 at 6:00 a.m. EST
Sudden temperature and humidity changes can affect the nose, making someone more vulnerable to bacterial and viral infections. (iStock)
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Lily Pien, an allergist at the Cleveland Clinic, drove to work earlier this week in snow and hail. The next day it was 65 degrees and sunny.

This weather whiplash had her bracing for an influx of patients seeking relief for their suddenly suffering noses. “My schedule is filled up,” she said. “As the weather changes, so does my patient load and their nasal symptoms.”