Most people that have joint issues claim that their state worsens when the weather is cold and rainy. But did you know many types of weather can affect your joints? There are people—and they are in the majority—whose pain is more pronounced during warm and humid conditions. If your elderly loved one is one of those that belong to the this group and have inflammation and stiffness during hot and humid weather, you shouldn’t worry. There are many things that you can do to relieve some of the pain and beat the heat.
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Weather and Chronic Pain
The connection between weather and chronic pain has been well documented for centuries. Unfortunately, even to this day, it isn’t fully understood. Because of that, many people still refuse to accept the way things stand. But they should. There are countless studies that have connected the dots between rheumatoid arthritis, pain, and weather.
One theory which revolves around weather and arthritis claims that some of the pain appears because in hot weather the fluid that lubricates our joints doesn’t work correctly. Even if this isn’t wholly true, it’s clear by now that some joint pain and inflammation is caused by hot weather and humidity. What’s even worse, some of the best known medications for inflammation, such as ibuprofen, are less effective during warmer conditions.
Types of Arthritis
You probably didn’t know this, but there are more than 100 types of arthritis. The difference between them lies in the amount of pain and which joints are affected. The types of arthritis best known to the world are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, gout, psoriatic arthritis, and lupus.
While all of these types of arthritis have different causes, what they have in common is joint pain. Another thing in common is that the pain caused by these conditions worsens with the weather. One-third of all people with arthritis claim that the weather limits their activities even more than normal. The number of people having issues with weather is enormous, considering that there are more than 24 million arthritis patients in the United States alone.
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Tips for Handling the Heat When You Have Arthritis
Luckily for all of you having joint issues, there are many ways you can relieve the pain during the hot weather. One of the easiest ways is to avoid going out, and instead stay in the house, cooled by a fan or air conditioner. Some people also suggest using a dehumidifier, which helps in making hot days more tolerable.
Same as with many other health issues, you can reduce the effect of arthritis with exercise or diet. For example, water workouts will not only cool you down, but they are also ideal for people with joint issues, as they have a low impact on joints.
Furthermore, if you need to spend time outside during hot days, you need to dress appropriately. Clothes made out of natural fabrics and that are loose-fitting are the right choice, as they allow your body to breathe. If you have scheduled activities during warm weather, you should take more breaks and also apply cooling or ice packs on your joints. If you used anti-inflammatory drugs, you should look to stay hydrated, as these medicines are known to reduce blood flow to the kidneys. By staying hydrated, you will also prevent muscle cramps and heat stroke.
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Caring For Arthritis in Warm Weather
So by now, you understand that in addition to cold weather you also can have issues with warm days. But if you follow our instructions from above, there’s no reason why pain should prevent you from enjoying warm summer days. Chronic pain will always be a nuisance, but now at least you know there are ways to handle it.
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