If it seems like your rheumatoid arthritis or RA is aggravated by cold weather, you’re not alone. Researchers have been unable to find a strong link between cold weather and increased arthritis pain. But they speculate that falling temperatures lead to a drop in barometric pressure. This causes tendons, muscles and tissues to swell, causing pain in joints impacted by arthritis.
But winter’s chill doesn’t mean putting all your plans on ice. Understanding RA helps you take steps to minimize discomfort.
RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning your body’s immune system attacks itself. This causes swelling and inflammation in the affected parts of the body. RA commonly affects multiple joints at once, such as hands, wrists and knees. When joints become inflamed, it results in damage to the joint tissue, causing chronic pain and deformity.
Minimizing RA pain during winter months involves taking steps to protect your joints and avoid triggering inflammation. Here are seven ways to manage RA during the winter.
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1. Wear layers
When the weather is cold, some of the blood flow is redirected from our hands and feet to our critical core organs. As a result, the hands and feet can feel stiff and painful. To preserve your body heat, wear a warm hat, gloves and shoes or boots that keep your feet dry.
To protect your joints from the cold, Arthritis.org recommends wearing lightweight layers. A base layer of silk, polyester or a nylon blend will wick moisture away from the skin. A fleece sweatshirt or wool sweater adds a layer of warmth. Top it off with a warm, windproof jacket. If the jacket doesn’t cover your neck, add a scarf.
2. Manage your stress
Chronic stress leads to muscle tension that can increase arthritis pain. A bigger concern is that persistent stress triggers inflammation in the body. Experiment with stress-relief techniques to find the best one for you. Examples are:
- Aerobic exercise
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Journaling
- Hot baths
RELATED: Five Day Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Rheumatoid Arthritis
3. Adopt a joint-friendly diet
Your diet can play an important role in managing joint pain. A healthy diet helps you lose extra pounds that add
