dealing with arthritis during winter

Winter season is coming around once again along with some of the difficulties we face during this season. Almost everyone with arthritis might have experienced that as the cold weather arrives their joint pain also progressively intensifies in this period.

On the other hands, some people are more sensitive to the winter season as compared to others. So they tend to feel more stiff and achy in the cold. Find the nearest diagnostic centers in Bangalore with Cureplus.

How cold contributes to joint pain

Cold temperatures are likely to irritate the nerves around joint tissue like other changes in weather conditions do. Cold weather causes shrinkage of the tissue in the joint and thus pulses on nerves causing pain. But, the rise in humidity, cold temperatures, and drops in barometric pressure, makes a lethal combination to worsen the arthritis symptoms.

There are ways to survive arthritis during this season with minimal experience of the related symptoms such as joint pain and swelling.

1.      Keep yourself warm

If it’s too cold outdoors, try to dress warmly such as cover aching hands warm with gloves, and put in a layer over knees and legs to keep them warm.

2.      Layer up

It is important to wear lots of layers so that you can control your comfort level according to the changes in temperatures during the day.

3.      Work out inside

In the winter we prefer to hibernate and stay indoors on the couch where it’s warm. With cold and snow outside, it may not be possible for you to exercise outside, therefore an inside exercise routine is the best. Muscle and ligament strength plays an impact on the joint mobility and pain levels, so continue with your workouts throughout the winter season.

4.      Supplement vitamin D

During the winter season, it becomes hard to keep your vitamin D levels up, as the sun, richest source of vitamin D is not available due to foggy or misty or cloudy weather. Vitamin D is really essential for muscle movement, communication between nerves, and combating inflammation. Insufficient vitamin D levels can intensify your arthritis symptoms and weaken your bones. Ask your healthcare provider your need for vitamin D supplements.

5.      Stay safe

Risk of falls increases during the winter season due to ice and snow on the ground, driveways, and sidewalks, and sometimes we can’t even see the ice before we fall. So, people need to wear proper footwear while leaving the house, especially those with arthritis to avoid further damage to their joints.