After the total solar eclipse that occurred on Monday, many Americans began to experience symptoms such as nausea, headaches, and eye pain. Social media users reported feeling buzzy all over, especially in their heads, and some even had to undergo eye exams to ensure their retinas were not damaged during the event. Some women mentioned changes to their menstrual cycles, with many claiming that the eclipse caused their periods to start on Monday. Dr. Nicole Saphier suggested that these symptoms may be due to superstition rather than a physical relationship between the eclipse and a person’s health.
On the other hand, Dr. Marc Siegel believes that there may be a medical basis for some of the adverse health effects experienced after the eclipse. He explained that flicker vertigo, which is vertigo caused by flickering bright lights, may be a reason for these ailments. He also mentioned that headaches, nausea, dizziness, or anxiety lasting less than 24 hours may be due to the discombobulation caused by sudden light shifts from an eclipse, particularly for those who are sensitive to them. NASA maintains that as long as proper eye protection is worn while viewing an eclipse, there should be no negative impact on one’s health despite any symptoms experienced.
Dr. Saphier stated that the perceived eclipse sickness cases may be more influenced by superstition rather than an actual physical effect. She compared it to the belief that healthcare emergency rooms are busier on a full moon night, suggesting that while there may be some truth to it, superstition likely plays a larger role. NASA also mentioned that there is no physical relationship between a total solar eclipse and one’s health, similar to the relationship between health and a new moon. The organization explained that correlations found among a random sample of people may exist occasionally, but are outnumbered by instances where health is excellent.
While NASA asserts that viewing a total solar eclipse with proper eye protection should not have a negative impact on health, Dr. Siegel believes that there may be a medical basis for some of the post-eclipse symptoms experienced. He suggested that flicker vertigo and sensitivity to light shifts could be contributing factors. Some individuals reported changes to their menstrual cycles following the eclipse, attributing the shift to the celestial event. Despite differing opinions on the cause of the symptoms experienced, it is important to exercise caution and ensure eye safety when viewing such astronomical events to prevent potential harm to one’s health.
In conclusion, following the total solar eclipse, many Americans experienced symptoms like nausea, headaches, and eye pain. While some attribute these symptoms to superstition, others believe there may be a medical basis for the adverse health effects. NASA maintains that as long as proper eye protection is worn while viewing the eclipse, there should be no negative impact on health. Despite differing perspectives on the cause of the symptoms, it is important to prioritize eye safety and take precautions when viewing such celestial events to prevent potential harm.
