Spring Rains Bring Arthritis Pain
Have you ever heard anyone claim they can predict when it’s going to rain by the pain in their joints? It may have seemed silly at the time, but it turns out that it’s not so far-fetched. Doctors believe that changes in the barometric pressure, or weight of the air, can cause pain. While research regarding weather and joint pain is not conclusive, information gathered from patients suggests that there is a correlation between the weather and the aches and pains associated with arthritis. If your parent suffers from arthritis, understanding the condition and the factors that affect it can help you and your parent’s senior care provider alleviate arthritis pain.
Arthritis Basics
Arthritis is a general term that applies to joint pain and joint diseases, which means it can be used to refer to more than 100 different joint conditions. Arthritis can occur in people of all ages, genders, and races, but it is more common in women and older people. The most common symptoms of arthritis are swelling, stiffness, pain, and decreased motion. Symptoms can range from mild to very severe, but may change over the years if the condition progresses. In severe cases, arthritis can result in the inability to perform normal daily tasks and limit a person’s ability to walk and climb steps.
How the Weather Affects Arthritis
Arthritis affects much more than the bones of a joint; it affects everything in and around the joint, which includes the lining of the joint, or synovium, and the ligaments. All of these contain nerves, so they can feel pain or stiffness. Studies using cadavers have shown that barometric pressure affects the pressure within joints, even moving hip joints one-third of an inch out of their normal alignment.
Managing Arthritis Pain
Arthritis is certainly a condition you should speak to your parent’s doctor about. The doctor can suggest medical treatments to reduce pain and stiffness. There are also some things that you or your parent’s senior care provider can do at home to avoid or alleviate pain. Here are some suggestions:
Gentle exercise before bed can reduce stiffness in the morning.
Have the senior change positions often throughout the day.
Ask the senior to stand and move around every 30 minutes or so.
Manage weight gain. Being overweight puts more strain on the joints, which can cause pain.
Use hot or cold packs to relieve pain.
Get the right shoes. Research suggests that flat, flexible shoes can help reduce instances of knee pain.
If you suspect the weather is affecting your parent’s arthritis pain, have your parent’s senior care provider track arthritis symptoms along with weather conditions. If the weather does cause your parent more pain, staying inside on cold or wet days may be the best course of action.
If you or an aging loved-one are considering in-home senior care in Enterprise AL, please contact the caring staff at Wiregrass HomeCare today. Call us at 334-539-5900.
- Keep These Tips in Mind Before Celebrating National Picnic Day - April 17, 2023
- Spring’s Arrival Turns Attention to Outdoor Skin Care Routines - April 3, 2023
- Tips for Helping Seniors Living with Chronic Pain - March 15, 2023