As the temperatures drop, many people with arthritis start noticing joint discomfort. Increased pain in the cold can severely impact even simple daily tasks. He lines right up with the countless others who battle more severe symptoms during the months of Winter. Winter is associated with stiff joints and the risk of arthritis pain going off at every available opportunity.
Figuring out why this occurs and how to deal with it will help you save yourself from sweating anytime the weather gets cold.
Why Cold Weather Bother The Pain During Winter
There are a few reasons why pain in the cold seems more intense for those with arthritis:
- Poor blood circulation – Cold temperatures lead to the constriction of your blood vessels, which in turn decreases the flow of oxygen and nutrients that your muscles, ligaments and joints need. This can leave your joints feeling more stiff and in pain.
- Barometric Pressure Fluctuations: A decrease in barometric pressure, usually ahead of chillier weather, can cause joints to increase and thus your arthritis ache will flare.
- Muscle tension: cold weather has the ability to contract muscle contraction and tightness that aggravates your joint pains associated with arthritis.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: During the winter season, we rarely go outdoors or find time for physical activities making our bones stiff and adding up to the increased pain of arthritis.
Typical Cold-Weather Arthritis Pain Symptoms
It is a fact that the symptoms of arthritis will often worsen in colder weather. A few of the more common symptoms are:
- Joint stiffness, notably in the early morning
- More Swelling, More Sensitive
- Pain or pressure in the knees, hips and hands
- Avoidance of using affected joints.
Tips to Manage Arthritis Pain in the Cold
1. Keep Warm
One of the best ways to get relief in this cold is by staying warm. Wear layers and thermal clothing both indoors where your home is rightly heated. Use electric blankets or immediate hot packs on stiff and sore joints
2. Stay Active
Resisting the urge to hibernate this time of year and foregoing your favorite spot on the couch is critical for preventing achy, stiff joints. Arthritis pain can be reduced, and arthritis stiffness prevented by performing gentle exercises such as: walking; stretching of muscles which support joints through their normal range of motion daily or taking up swimming in a heated pool(require the supervision — Grand River Physiotherapy). Also, avoid straining the joints with Yoga and Pilates.
3. Use Moist Heat Therapy
Warm, moist heat applied to your joints can help ease arthritis pain. Taking a warm EPSOM SALT bath or shower and using an ELECTRIC HEATING PAD will give instant pain relief. Try a long soak in the bath with Epsom salts aka magnesium, which assists muscle relaxation and alleviates pain due to cold temperatures.
4. Maintain a Healthy Diet
A well-balanced diet can go a long way in keeping inflammation down, which is the root cause for our arthritis pain. Omega-3 fatty acids can also help with inflammation, so add foods like salmon and flaxseed for joint health. Turmeric, ginger and green tea are also anti-inflammatory foods which can assist to reduce pain in the cold.
5. Consider Supplements
Others benefit from supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin or fish oil to manage the pain of cold arthritis. It is advisable that you talk to your doctor before consuming any new supplement as it may or may not work in their favor.
6. Over-the-Counter Pain Relief
For those with severe arthritis pain, over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide temporary relief. Creams or gels with capsaicin (hot pepper extract) and menthol applied directly to painful joints may also help.
7. Stay Hydrated
People often forget about hydration but it is a necessary component of joint function. Dehydration (which is often aggravated by cold weather) might manifest in more painful joints. Stay hydrated drinking water throughout the day Oil joints and prevent arthritis pain.
Read More: Understanding Knee Replacement Surgery
Winterizing Your Activity
Aside from the suggestions above, it will also benefit to make minor changes to your routine so that you are better able to manage pain in cold temperatures. Before any physical activity, it is always recommended to warm up your body a little so you don’t get too stiff or hurt. You should always wear gloves if you’re going outside to keep your hands warm and prevent them from getting frozen.
And plan your day according to the weather marshaled If you face a lot of stiffness and cold in your body then postpone the heavy-duty tasks for later half or when naturally warmed up.
Conclusion
Life does not necessarily need to be cold. Understanding why you feel this pain in the winter and taking preventative steps to control arthritis symptoms can make all the difference when it comes time for colder weather.
Try to stay warm, keep moving and take it easy but get help if your symptoms are getting worse. Even living with arthritis, you can keep moving without chronic pain all year long as long as you do it properly and using strategies that work.
FAQs
Q 1. What leads to the arthritis pain down in the cold?
Ans. When it is cold, the blood vessels tighten which stops circulation to swollen joints making them stiff and sore. In addition, barometric pressure changes can increase joint swelling which makes arthritis pain feel worse. Additionally, for arthritis patients cold weather could increase the risk of pain during the winter months as muscle tension from the temperature drop can also make their condition worse.
Q 2. How Can I Ease Arthritis Pain in the Cold?
Ans. Among these, keeping warm and staying active along with applications of moist heat therapy are the most significant ones when it comes to reducing pain due an increase in cold. Wearing layers of clothing, using heating pads on sore joints and gentle exercise such as yoga or swimming in warm water may help.
Q 3. Will Diet Lessen Arthritis Pain in the Winter?
Ans. A balanced diet featuring lots of anti-inflammatory foods can help arthritis pain. Anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fats (found in salmon, and flaxseeds), as well turmeric and ginger are a few notable.beta-glucans like those found oatmeal or mushrooms before bed can also be helpful. Hydration is also important in preventing joints from drying out and adding to the discomfort.
Q 4. Should I work out if my arthritis pain gets worse when it’s cold?
Ans. That’s certainly true for managing arthritis pain, particularly in the colder months. Low-impact exercises, such as walking, stretching and swimming in warm or heated water can help keep joints flexible and reduce stiffness. However, remember to warm up first in order-to reduce risk of injury.