How Cold Weather Affects Arthritis and What You Can Do About It

Arthritis is simply defined as a condition which involves inflammation and swelling of the joints. Depending on the inclusion of the joint and its adjoining accessories, various types of arthritis have been classified such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis etc. About 22-39% of the Indian population suffers from arthritis in different forms. Researchers have tried exploring how weather is related to arthritic pain. The exact reason is unknown while some pretty good theoretical reasons have been hypothesized- like joints getting affected due to changes in temperature, barometric pressure, humidity or precipitation. Cold temperatures alone don’t cause arthritis, but it can worsen symptoms. Women are majorly affected with osteo and rheumatoid arthritis compared to men. Though we have mentioned which types of arthritis get worse due to changes in weather, we will focus more on rheumatoid arthritis in the later parts of the blog. 

Cold Weather And Rheumatism:

Weather changes can cause expansion of joint structures – especially tendons and ligaments, which in turn can get inflamed and feel painful. The joint fluid, also called synovial fluid, thickens due to dropping temperatures and becomes jelly-like in consistency, which makes the joint stiff. Sensitivity to pain is also heightened. Reduction in physical activity due to climate changes can cause stiffness that worsens pain.

Types Of Arthritis That Are Affected By Cold:

1. Osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis can worsen on cold, rainy or humid days.
2. Psoriatic arthritis can worsen in humid climates.
3. Warm and dry climates worsen gout. 

Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis- 

Osteoarthritis is called wear and tear arthritis, which is usually seen in old age due to excessive usage of bones and gradual wearing down of the bones. It mainly affects the larger joints. Rheumatoid arthritis on the other hand is an auto-immune disorder, wherein your immune cells attack the synovial fluid and other joint components, causing inflammation and finally leading to bone erosion or even deformity in severe cases.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and Symptoms:

• Pain begins at the small joints – especially the wrist and fingers.
• Morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes is a classical sign of rheumatoid arthritis
• Fatigue
• Low grade fever
• Reduced range of motion
• Flu like symptoms
• Loss of appetite
• Numbness and tingling in the extremities.
• Nail changes like ridging in the nails or yellowing of nails and appearance of blood vessels in nails could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis And Winter:

Cold temperatures can worsen rheumatoid symptoms causing pain and stiffness. Barometric pressure drops, causing swelling in the joints, making them stiff and painful. Peripherally, there will be changes in blood vessels, which can cause constriction, leading to reduced blood flow and poor circulation to the limbs, making the joint more stiff. Pain receptors are more sensitive in winters. Less sun exposure leads to lowered vitamin D levels that impact bone and joint health.

How To Manage Rheumatoid Arthritis During Winters:

• Staying warm and dressing in layers can help a lot. Use heating pads, hot water bottles for pain and aches and indulge in warm water showers, which can relax muscles and ease associated stiffness during winters.
• Staying active at least minimally or focusing on indoor workouts like yoga, stationary cycling and tai-chi can keep the joints flexible. 
• Stretching regularly helps to ease pain and stiffness. Eating a well balanced diet and staying hydrated can also benefit affected individuals. 

Conclusion – Winters can be nightmarish to deal with, if you have any joint affecting malady, as it aggravates pain and sensitivity. In cases like rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms get even worse as swelling increases with severe pain. Taking appropriate precautionary measures with physician advice is necessary. Warm applications, baths and showers can help along with mild indoor exercises; intake of supplemental vitamin D and increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids can help with reduction of pain, maintain bone health and reduce inflammation.