title: [Tropical climate pathology].
abstract: In addition to being a determinant factor for the development of infectious and parasitic diseases, tropical weather conditions can have harmful effects for the human organism different from those of temperate climates. Adverse effects can result from aggressive environmental factors such as ultraviolet radiation, extreme heat, abrupt changes in temperature, and tropical storms. In weather-sensitive subjects, exposure to tropical conditions increases the risk of acute reactions including ischemic heart disease, asthma attacks, and kidney stones. Adverse effects can be enhanced by suddenness of change in climate as underlined by the stress experienced by air travelers. In practice it is important to recognize that different tropical climates have different effects on health. Intertropical climates range from dry and rainy areas to plains and mountain areas. Knowledge of the concepts of climatopathology is necessary to advise patients on the choice of destination and the most favorable period for travel.
authors.affiliation: Groupement de Recherche Climat et Santé, Faculté de Médecine de Dijon, France.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Besancenot
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D014329:Tropical Climate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014330:Tropical Medicine; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000209:etiology
vernacular_title: La climatopathologie tropicale.