Sore Joints In Winter

Cold weather, changes in air pressure, decreased physical activity may all leave your joints feeling stiff and aching in the winter. Many people with arthritis and other joint conditions say that their joint pain worsens in the colder months, and there are a number of reasons why that may in fact be true.

Due to changes in the barometric, or air pressure, studies prove that a drop in pressure is a factor in arthritic joint pain. This may explain how a number of arthritis sufferers can sense changes in air pressure and, therefore, the onset of rain and upcoming cold chilly weather.

It is believed that as air pressure gets lower and there is less atmospheric pressure, the soft tissue and ligament that surrounds the joints will expand and get inflamed. The surrounding tissue is packed with nerves which would be stimulated by the swelling, and thus would cause increased pain.

Arthritis is a very familiar, chronic health problem and is second only to heart disease as a cause of work disability. It is an umbrella term that covers over about more than 100 different diseases that affect the joints and areas around it. Limiting basic physical activities like walking and climbing steps, arthritis affects people of all age groups, including children. Though there is no cure for arthritis yet, there are only ways to reduce the pain.

Below are the few tips to keep your joints happy during winters:

Keep your body warm

The pain worsens in humid and cold weather, so try and keep the body warm. To fight increasing pain during winters wear warm clothes, have your body massaged frequently. Do exercises that help your blood flow and keep your body temperature warmer.

Calcium and vitamin D

Food usually does not worsen arthritis. But incorporating these two elements in your diet are a must in order to avoid yourself from getting arthritis or in helping not to aggravate your arthritis condition. Calcium and vitamin D are a must, either as a part of your food or through supplements. Eat a balanced diet with yogurt, cheese, milk and eggs.

Keep Your weight in check

Arthritis patients should try to remain fit and health keeping their body weight in check. Excessive weight puts pressure on the joints thus causing increased joint pain. To avoid from joint pains try to remain within your Body Mass Index. If you are an arthritis patient, watch your diet and eat more vegetables such as lady finger and corm. Soaking 3-4 lady finger in water at night and drinking it up first thing in the morning also reduces arthritis pain to a large extent. Do low impact exercises such as walking or doing yoga to ease out your aching joints.

Heat and cold therapy

Both heat and cold therapies are used to reduce pain and swelling caused by arthritis. Heat therapy increases blood flow, soothes the swollen area and builds up tolerance for pain and increases flexibility. Using hot packs or hot water bags on the swollen joint reduces pain, a warm bath or shower also helps. Cold therapy numbs the nerves around the joint reducing pain.

Yoga

Yoga is considered the greatest exercise for all kinds and degrees of arthritis. There are other exercises that help as well: stretching increase flexibility and relieve stiffness; strengthening exercises, such as swimming, increase muscle strength and protect the joints.

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