The skies are clear blue, but your ankle starts flaring up with arthritis pain. Could a storm be looming? You feel it in your bones, but is it just an old wives' tale? Or can joint pain actually predict weather changes?
CHANGE OF WEATHER IS A CHANGE OF PRESSURE ON THE JOINTS WHICH GIVES JOINT PAINS .
Blame it on the barometric pressure: Any change in pressure, or the weight of the air pressing against the surface of the earth, can trigger joint pain or headaches in some people.
Barometric pressure often causes levels of fluids in the body to fluctuate.
Barometric pressure changes, as well as changes in humidity and temperature, might affect the pressure in the brain, or the way the brain blocks pain.
Joint pain is caused by a triggering of neuroreceptors in nerve endings that are sensitive to such change. While the exact cause remains elusive, the fact that millions of people with arthritis or bone and joint injuries complain of pain when the weather turns cloudy or damp remains prevalent in medical practice scenarios around the world.
Dehydration
Studies have determined a direct link between humidity and dehydration in the body. High humidity levels in the air thicken the blood, which increases pressure in the blood vessels and requires more effort by the heart to pump blood throughout the body.Dehydration causes joint pain because joint cartilage contains large amounts of water. Hot and humid environments cause excess sweating and loss of body fluid.
Temperature Variations
Temperature variations have long been believed to be a trigger for joint pain in many individuals with arthritis or other bone and joint injuries. The changes in weather, such as warm and dry to damp and cold also triggered baroreceptors in joints that caused increased sensation of joint pain in individuals of all ages. Humid weather especially causes already sensitive or inflamed tissues to expand, increasing pain for arthritis sufferers.
TIPS FOR JOINT PAIN IN HUMID WEATHER
· HYDRATE your self with juices ,water ,soups, fruits.
· Supplement Vitamin D --Low level of vit D increases
the risk of osteoporosis which gives joint paints so talk to your doctor about your need for supplements or vitamin
D-fortified foods.
· Stretching indoors, jogging in place (if you're
going for a run), heat creams and heating pads can all help loosen up stiff
joints, "The main thing is to make sure you warm up well."
As
for weather-related pain, it hurts, but it's only temporary: Your joints should
return to normal as soon as the weather changes
So when your great-aunt said she could "feel" a storm coming on, she was likely right.
Enjoy all weather and remain health
