Ragweed danger: New app helps allergy sufferers in pollen chaos!

Ragweed danger: New app helps allergy sufferers in pollen chaos!

On June 5, 2025, Dr. Christine Reiler hosts an interesting program about allergic plants and their effects on health in the ORF health magazine “Bewusst Gesund”. Die ausgestrahlte Episode wird am 7. Juni 2025 um 17:30 Uhr auf ORF 2 und auf ORF ON zu sehen sein. Ein zentrales Thema der Sendung ist der Ragweed (Traubenkraut), dessen Ausbreitung in Österreich zunehmend besorgniserregender wird. Die ersten Exemplare erscheinen bereits im Juni und verlängern die Pollensaison auf über 300 Tage. Ragweed hat ein hohes allergisches Potenzial und kann bereits bei einer Konzentration von 4-5 Pollen pro Kubikmeter Luft Symptome hervorrufen.

Die Gefahren des Ragweeds beschränken sich nicht nur auf gesundheitliche Beeinträchtigungen. Auch die Landwirtschaft ist betroffen, da die invasive Pflanze in Sonnenblumenfeldern andere Pflanzen verdrängt und Ernteausfälle verursacht. To curb the spread of ragweed, Uwe Berger, an allergy sufferer and founder of the European pollen warning service, developed the “Ragweed Finder” app. Diese App hilft dabei, die Pflanzen zu lokalisieren und ihre Verbreitung zu dokumentieren.

Psychological effects of extreme temperatures

Another part of the discussion in “Consciously Healthy” deals with the increase in self-diagnoses of mental illnesses. Socio-economic social science aspects are discussed by the sociologist Dr. Laura Wiesböck illuminates. Deterioration in mental health is particularly common during heat waves. The number of annual hot days above 30 degrees Celsius has been increasing for decades, which not only endangers physical health but also puts a lot of strain on the psyche. According to the AOK, the number of tropical nights in which the temperature does not drop below 20 degrees has also increased.

Heat has a direct impact on the human psyche; Symptoms of mental illness may increase or appear new during heat waves. Scientists find that aggression, exhaustion and depressed moods increase during intense heat. The MedUni Vienna warns that sustained temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius can particularly cause or worsen anxiety disorders and depression. The climate crisis is a decisive factor here, increasing ongoing stress through frequent negative events and thus endangering health.

Special challenges for diabetics

An additional topic addressed in the health magazine concerns people with diabetes. The summer heat poses a particular challenge as it makes it difficult for the body to adapt naturally and can lead to fluctuating blood sugar levels. These problems are becoming more and more common, both among diabetics who use modern technologies such as sensors or insulin pumps and among those who are already suffering from the consequences of their disease.

The program also provides health tips, such as genital herpes, a contagious viral infection that is particularly spread through sexual contact. The importance of preventive education and the sensitive handling of such topics is highlighted here.

Movement as an antidote

The program is rounded off by the “Bewegt im Park” initiative, which starts on June 10th and lasts until September. Over 700 free sports courses are offered in parks across Austria to encourage more people to lead an active lifestyle and combat the negative health consequences of a lack of exercise.

The new allergen tracking app and the topics it addresses show that maintaining and promoting our health in a changing climate is a collective task. Further information on the effects of heat on the psyche can be found, for example, in studies carried out by both the MedUni Vienna and the AOK, which urgently point out the psychological consequences of climate change.