The skies are perfectly clear, yet you begin to feel a flare up with your arthritis. Is the weather changing shortly? Have you ever been able to consider yourself a weatherperson just by the stiff, achy feeling in your joints when it is going to be cold out or when it is going to rain? What you are actually feeling is the change in atmospheric pressure. Needless to say, joints predicting the weather can in fact be true.
Wondering how this works? We are here to tell you!
Barometric Pressure and Joint Pain
Generally speaking, before the weather changes, to get cold or to rain, there is a drop in atmospheric pressure. This atmospheric pressure, or the weight of the atmosphere around us, is known as barometric pressure. It changes when warm air is mixed with cooler air. This change can further result in storms and swollen joints. The fluid in the joints shifts with the pressure, causing the swelling of the tissue inside the joints. This is the main reason people seem to believe their joints predict the weather.
Although there is no way to know for sure, there are many theories. A recent study found that over 65% of those with arthritis found that their symptoms varied based on the weather. There is also a study which shows that for every 10 degree drop in temperature, there is an increase in pain.
Overall, it is difficult to study since people’s behavior changes when the weather changes as well. For example, in reality, when the weather is wet or cold, we are not as active. This lack of physical activity leads to stiffer joints, making your symptoms feel worse.
Does where you live make a difference?
Summertime and warmer weather make it easier to be active outside. The pain will still travel with you even in a warmer climate. As we are mammals, we do adapt to our climate. These changes in barometric pressure are still relative to where you are living and occur everywhere. You may think your joints predict the weather and a warmer climate will help.
So, should you move to Florida, Arizona, or Hawaii? Although there are benefits of the warmer weather, it is not a cure for arthritis. There is not one area where you feel less symptoms. When you vacation in warmer weather, you may find yourself thinking your joints don’t hurt as badly. However, you are actually just relieved of the daily activities that cause your pain.
What can help relieve this pain?
- Dressing Appropriate for the Weather
When the weather changes and you start to think your joints predict the weather, you need to dress appropriately. Especially, when the weather drops, you need to dress warmly. The easiest way to do this is to wear layers during the day, so you can remove layers as needed. This includes both gloves and socks to cover your joints. If you are just staying inside due to the weather conditions, you can also keep warm by taking a warm shower or bath to regulate your body temperature, using the heat inside of your home, or a weighted, electric blanket.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight with Exercise
As your activity levels go up, your weight will go down. In turn, this healthy weight will help with your arthritis pain levels. The exercise you do should be gentle on your joints, so you are not overexerting yourself. These lighter exercises can include yoga or swimming. Especially if the weather is colder, make sure you warm up and stretch before doing any activity outdoors. This will help you make your joints flexible and limber, so you do not hurt yourself.
As mentioned earlier, we are mammals. Similar to other mammals, we are less active in the winter months or when it is raining. It could be a natural instinct to conserve energy, but it is not good for your arthritis. This makes it important to keep moving to keep your joints from feeling stiff.
- Take care of your General Health
Good nutrition will keep your general health good to go! Eat well with a colorful diet. This includes lots of fruits and veggies. It is also recommended to get 8 hours of sleep per night for your optimal health. Let someone else lift those heavy boxes and ask for help when needed to prevent strain on your joints. Ensure you are drinking 8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated to decrease your symptoms. By doing the above, you will also in turn help boost your mood.
- Take a Supplement
Check with your doctor to see if you can take an anti-inflammatory supplement. Many people have found relief by taking an all-natural supplement called JointFuel360. It combines anti-inflammatory ingredients with antioxidants to reduce swelling, inflammation, and provide relief. It combines turmeric and black pepper extract as a natural anti-inflammatory and increases blood circulation. Other ingredients it includes are resveratrol, Boswellia serrata, type II collagen, and hyaluronic acid, which all combine to provide relief and reduce swelling.
Conclusion
Even if you believe that your joints predict the weather and it is uncontrollable, there are in fact ways to relieve the pain. It is important to learn the reason this happens to know how to control it. The change in atmospheric pressure, or barometric pressure, causes the tissues to swell in your joints. The activities you do to relieve this pain should be to help get the swelling down. Unfortunately, there is not a cure, so moving to a warmer climate will not get rid of your arthritis. It will only be short-term relief since your body will adjust to the atmospheric changes in the warmer climate as well. You can still dress appropriately for the weather, perform light exercises to keep your weight in a healthy range, eat a healthy diet, drink lots of water, get enough sleep, and take a health supplement to only name a few. Performing each of these recommended pain relief tactics will help your symptoms.
