Winter Arthritis: Managing Your Aches and Pains
http://www.WomensJournals.com/articles/437/1/Winter-Arthritis-Managing-Your-Aches-and-Pains/Page1.html
Dr. R. Scott Oliver, M.D.
For more information or to make an appointment with Dr. Oliver, please call Plymouth Bay Orthopedic Associates at (781) 934-2400.Looking for a physician? Call Jordan Hospital's referral line at:
(800) 2 JORDAN
or go to:
http://www.JordanHospital.org
By Dr. R. Scott Oliver, M.D.
Published on 12/6/2009
Q: It seems that my arthritis worsens during the winter months. 
Are there special precautions I should take when the weather turns colder?
It is true that arthritic joints can stiffen in colder weather. In fact several types of arthritis are specifically winter-onset versions which can make coping in colder climates more challenging.
Are there special precautions I should take when the weather turns colder?It is true that arthritic joints can stiffen in colder weather. In fact several types of arthritis are specifically winter-onset versions which can make coping in colder climates more challenging.
Winter Arthritis: Managing Your Aches and Pains
Q: It seems that my arthritis worsens during the winter months. Are there special precautions I should take when the weather turns colder?
It is true that arthritic joints can stiffen in colder weather. In fact several types of arthritis are specifically winter-onset versions which can make coping in colder climates more challenging.
Arthritis affects more than 46 million adults in the United States. There are actually more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some types, such as osteoarthritis, occur with the wear and tear of joints, where other types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, happens when the body’s immune system does not work properly. The cold damp weather can affect all types of arthritis, but there are ways to manage the discomfort with a little bit of planning. There is no reason for winter’s chill to drive you indoors until the spring thaw.
Here are a few tips:
Stay active. Arthritis sufferers in particular need to keep their joints moving and their muscles active. Being less active during the winter can make even the smallest movements painful. It is important to remain active. This may mean finding low impact indoor activities such as yoga, swimming, using a treadmill, or mall walking.
Stay warm and dry. Wear multiple layers of clothing with fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Avoid rapid temperature transitions between indoors and out. Use warm baths and heating pads to relax muscles, and ice packs and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. Treat yourself to a massage, which may reduce your symptoms and lift your mood.
Watch what you eat. In the winter, we tend to eat more ‘comfort food’ to build fat and stay warm. Controlling weight and keeping excess strain on already sore joints are keys to managing arthritis pain. A healthy, balanced diet also boosts the immune system and promotes healing.
If you have arthritis, it is important to devise a plan with your physician to maintain your health and decrease your discomfort. Your doctor may also prescribe a stretching plan, medications, or joint injections to help ease some symptoms. There is no reason for arthritis sufferers to dread the seasonal cold damp weather. You and your physician can manage your care in partnership, and keep you active and healthy throughout the year.
It is true that arthritic joints can stiffen in colder weather. In fact several types of arthritis are specifically winter-onset versions which can make coping in colder climates more challenging.
Arthritis affects more than 46 million adults in the United States. There are actually more than 100 different types of arthritis. Some types, such as osteoarthritis, occur with the wear and tear of joints, where other types, such as rheumatoid arthritis, happens when the body’s immune system does not work properly. The cold damp weather can affect all types of arthritis, but there are ways to manage the discomfort with a little bit of planning. There is no reason for winter’s chill to drive you indoors until the spring thaw.
Here are a few tips:
Stay active. Arthritis sufferers in particular need to keep their joints moving and their muscles active. Being less active during the winter can make even the smallest movements painful. It is important to remain active. This may mean finding low impact indoor activities such as yoga, swimming, using a treadmill, or mall walking.
Stay warm and dry. Wear multiple layers of clothing with fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Avoid rapid temperature transitions between indoors and out. Use warm baths and heating pads to relax muscles, and ice packs and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling. Treat yourself to a massage, which may reduce your symptoms and lift your mood.
Watch what you eat. In the winter, we tend to eat more ‘comfort food’ to build fat and stay warm. Controlling weight and keeping excess strain on already sore joints are keys to managing arthritis pain. A healthy, balanced diet also boosts the immune system and promotes healing.
If you have arthritis, it is important to devise a plan with your physician to maintain your health and decrease your discomfort. Your doctor may also prescribe a stretching plan, medications, or joint injections to help ease some symptoms. There is no reason for arthritis sufferers to dread the seasonal cold damp weather. You and your physician can manage your care in partnership, and keep you active and healthy throughout the year.