WEATHER AND SEASON CHANGE AND ARTHRITIC PATIENTS

Dr Vinaya Kunjir

When you were growing up, did you hear your grand mother say, "There is a strom coming, I can feel it in my bones." As a child, you might have thought that it is ridiculous, but it seems to be true when you think about it as a grown-up. As a doctor I often hear patients say that they can predict the weather outside while sitting at home by the change in pain and stiffness in their joints.

How are weather and Arthritis connected?

Arthritis is associated with pain and swelling in joints leading to stiffness and decreased movements of joints.
If you have arthritis, you may notice that your pain changes along with the weather. Certain climate conditions can make arthritic pain better or worse.
There have been several studies in the past examining the effect of rain, humidity and other weather related factors on systems of arthritis. Some of them have been inclusive while some studies have found evidence linking weather to arthritis symptoms of pain and stiffness.

Here are five ways that suggest that arthritis and weather are connected :-

1. Humidity or moisture in air can make the arthritic joints stiff and their movements become painful. In summer, humidity is less than that in rainy or cold season. Pain may improve in during summer. Dry, sunny clean weather is much better for arthritis pain.

2. Arthritic joints may become more painful during rainy season and in winter. Biometric pressure or air pressure is the weight of air. The weight of air or air pressure increases in good, sunny, warm weather and decreases in bad weather (storm, rainy or windy weather) During times of rain and snow, the temperature decreases and air pressure decreases. This can cause the fluid in the joints to thicken and make them stiff. Stiffer joints make movements painful and can cause worsening of arthritis. Muscle tendons and soft tissues around the joints expand due to low air pressure causing more pain to the already inflamed joints.

3. Lack of Physical Activity -
Joint friendly exercises such as walking, biking, water exercises are known to decrease Arthritic pain. When the weather is warm and nice outside, you might go for walks or go biking. But when it's cold or raining, you might want to stay indoors and may not get enough physical activity which makes the arthritic joints stiff and painful.

4. Weather affects the mood and therefore the joint pain. Arthritis pain and emotions are connected. When you are happier, you tend to have less pain and Vice-versa. It is common for the weather to affect your mood. Rainy days are gloomy and can you in a bad mood. Sunny days can put a smile on your face. Thus, bad weather causes bad mood and more pain. Nice, sunny weather can make you happy and hence less pain

5. Infections are linked to weather change.
In India, flu is the most common infection which can cause flare in arthritis.
Rainy season or winter season is called flu season. Arthritis patients have disturbed immune system due to the disease itself or the medication. Hence they are more prone to infections which can trigger arthritis.

 Is it worth moving?

Should you move to a warmer climate area to escape from arthritis pain? According to the 'National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin disease', there is no evidence to support that changing the location will make longterm difference in arthritis. Although warm, dry weather may result in less pain, it does not affect the cause of the disease. Arthritis patients who live in warmer climate are not spared from arthritis pain. Many people move to a warmer and less harsh climate when they retire. This type of move may provide some pain relief but cannot provide cure to arthritis.

So what's the solution?

It's a fair question. Even if we could prove that the weather changes can affect the symptoms of arthritis, we can not move to more warmer, sunnier and arthritis friendly climate. But it does not mean nothing can be done about treatment of arthritis. With recent medical advances, there are several treatment options available to patients. With use of medication and non-medication options, we can control arthritis progression and consequent joint damage.

Things which you can do to minimize weather's effects on your arthritis :-

1) Keep yourself warm. Wear warm clothes, gloves and socks.

2) Hot fomentation.

3) Heating pads for aching joints.

4) Staying Active - even just moving your joints - hands and legs while at home, will keep your blood flowing.

5) Some exercise, knee bending.

6) Proper, timely vaccination with flu vaccine