Does the weather really affect the health of the joints?

Arab Weather - The concept of increasing joint pain from the usual level was associated with the onset of low temperatures in the winter season, as this idea has spread since ancient times, as there are many tips, and natural mixes transmitted from father to grandfather, in all regions of the world to try to reduce arthritis and its pain in Winter season, in addition to taking advantage of this idea to promote many other medicinal products. Is this information true or a myth?

Does the weather really affect the joints?

Studies and statistics

Numerous studies and statistics have been conducted over the years, with the aim of looking for any relationship linking lower temperatures with increased joint pain and inflammation. As there are many previous statistics that were made for a specific period of time for a group of people who suffer from joint problems, such as osteoarthritis of the knee joint or the pelvic bone in a chronic manner, and the results of these studies showed that a high percentage of these people feel pain more in cold and rainy winter weather.

While many scientific studies tried to find any relationship between increased joint pain with cold weather, for example in 2014 an Australian study attempted to find any link between increased back pain and lower temperatures, or a drop in air pressure or humidity, by collecting Climate data for the period when people's back pain symptoms began and compared to climate data several weeks earlier. In addition, a group of studies attempted to compare the medical records of more than 11 million health care centers (from private and public medical clinics) over the seasons of the year.

Most of these statistics and studies concluded that there is no direct relationship between the increase in joint pain and the decrease in temperature during the winter season, as no significant differences were observed, and therefore most researchers do not support this widespread information.

Proposed theories

But it is worth noting that some researchers have devoted a theory to the assumption that there is a relationship between increased joint pain and decreased atmospheric pressure and not a decrease in temperature, or humidity, or precipitation or the presence of storms.

This theory states that atmospheric pressure in general affects everything, including our bodies, as it works on pressure on the surface of our bodies, and thus pressure on the tissues in all layers and organs, which leads to their presence in a simple state of contraction, and in the event of a decrease in air pressure during Cold weather, this force affecting our bodies, even if only slightly, decreases, which leads to the expansion of some tissues, which in turn leads to an increase in their area and thus pressure on the nerves adjacent to them, which leads to an increase in the feeling of pain.

There are some facts that support this theory, the most important of which are:

Cold weather leads to reduced blood flow to the muscles, which leads to slight spasms, in addition to slowing the process of eliminating harmful substances from the metabolism processes in them.

Lack of activity in general in the winter and a tendency to lethargy and sleep for longer hours, also reduces blood flow to the muscles.

Seasonal depression, or what is known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is felt by a healthy group, especially elderly people or those suffering from chronic pain, may also help increase the feeling of pain, due to limited mobility.

But in the end, there are currently no scientific studies, or clear figures that can be relied upon to confirm and support this relationship, which makes the field of research on this subject open to more theories and proofs.

Winter preventive tips for joint health

With all these facts and information, there is a set of tips that help prevent and reduce joint pain in winter, including:

1. Wear warm clothes, especially when leaving the house, and make sure that they are of fabrics that trap heat, such as wool, for example, in addition to the need to cover the parties well, such as the hands, feet and head, as it is one of the areas that lose heat quickly, due to its exposure.
2. Make sure the feet are kept dry, not wet, by drying well and wearing appropriate socks.
3. Try to have a warm bath from time to time, in order to stimulate blood circulation to all parts of the body.
4. Keep your body active by practicing various kinds of exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga and other sports that keep you in a state of motion.
5. Consult your doctor about the possibility of using NSAIDs from time to time.
6. Eat a balanced diet throughout the day.
7. Make sure to sleep regularly for enough hours every day.
8. Do not try to strain or exert your muscles, by carrying heavy objects, or sitting in the wrong way, and other practices that harm the integrity of the joints and muscles.

Source: Cura