During times of rain and snow, the temperature drops and barometric pressure decreases. This can cause fluid in the joints to thicken, which makes them stiffer. If you have stiff joints, you may be more sensitive to pain during movement, making arthritis pain seem worse.
In one survey of 200 people with osteoarthritis in their knee, researchers found that every 10-degree drop in temperature -- as well as low barometric pressure --corresponded to a rise in arthritis pain.
According to Professor Karen Walker-Bone, professor of occupational rheumatology at the University of Southampton, people with osteoarthritis generally prefer warm and dry weather, while those with rheumatoid arthritis tend to prefer the cooler weather.
Cold or rainy weather can affect any type of arthritis. For example, both osteoarthritis (wear-and-tear arthritis) and inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis) can feel worse on cold, rainy, or humid days.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be one of the most painful types of arthritis; it affects joints as well as other surrounding tissues, including organs. This inflammatory, autoimmune disease attacks healthy cells by mistake, causing painful swelling in the joints, like hands, wrists and knees.
If you suffer from arthritis, whether inflammatory or not, you've probably noticed your joints getting crankier as the weather turns colder. But why are arthritis symptoms worse during the winter? "Our joints operate best in temperate weather," says Dr. Mariko L.
When there's a rainstorm, atmospheric pressure drops. As soon as your body detects this change, it makes your soft tissues swell up. As a result, fluid in the joints expands. Unfortunately, the expansion and contraction that takes place around the joints can irritate your nerves and cause pain.
Lying down can cause inflammatory chemicals to pool in the fluid that cushions your joints, which makes them stiffen up. And your perception of pain may be heightened during the nighttime because you're not distracted by anything else.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints.
The effect of humidity on pain was stronger in relatively cold weather conditions. In a separate 2007 study of 200 people with knee OA, pain increased with every 10-degree drop in temperature. Lower temperatures have been shown to have a similar effect on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Which Weather Conditions Are Worst? If you combine results of the various studies, the general consensus is that cold, wet weather is the worst for inciting arthritis pain.
People with rheumatoid arthritis typically have several permanently inflamed joints. The inflammation inside the body can lead to general physical weakness, drowsiness and exhaustion. This feeling of extreme tiredness is also called "fatigue." Some people find this to be the worst symptom of the disease.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the smooth cartilage joint surface wears out. Osteoarthritis usually begins in an isolated joint. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the immune system malfunctions and attacks the body instead of intruders.
WD-40 Does Not Help Arthritis
Due to the myth that WD-40 helps arthritis, the WD-40 company website includes the following statement regarding the myth (amongst other cool myths, legends and facts)… Fact: This popular headline, appearing at least once a year in the tabloids, is completely FALSE.
Bananas and Plantains are high in magnesium and potassium that can increase bone density. Magnesium may also alleviate arthritis symptoms.
There is no cure for arthritis. The goal of treatment is often to limit pain and inflammation, and help ensure joint function. Treatment plans often use both short-term and long-term methods.
“Barometric pressure changes can affect inflammation in the nose and sinuses, and then can be experienced by individuals as pressure and/or pain.” So when those skies turn gray and the rain starts to fall, make sure you have your sinus medicine on hand just in case.
Low barometric pressure puts less atmospheric pressure on the body, and tissues can swell. Expanding tissues can put more pressure on your joints, and especially for already sensitive achy joints, you'll feel more pain.
In the study, the median survival rate for healthy adults was approximately 82 years while the median survival rate for people with RA was approximately 77 years.
OA usually affects fewer joints, and its symptoms are generally limited to the joints. The progression of RA is more difficult to predict, and it can cause more widespread symptoms. The outlook for people with RA has greatly improved due to advances in research and therapies.