Every time the rainy season comes, many people, especially the elderly, complain about the significant increase in joint pain.
This is a common phenomenon but few people understand the real cause behind it, as well as how to effectively control pain.
According to Dr. Pramod Bhor, Director of the Department of Orthopedics and Arthritis Surgery at Hiranandani Vashi Hospital (under the Fortis Network, India), there is a clear link between rainy weather and joint pain.
Changes in humidity, atmospheric pressure and temperature affect blood pressure in the body, causing the circulatory system to work more. This makes joints more sensitive and pain-prone, especially for people with underlying bone and joint diseases, said Mr. Pramod Bhor.
In addition, cold and humid weather can easily cause dehydration in the body, which is a factor that reduces joint lubricating fluid, causing joint movement to be less flexible, causing more pain.
Diseases that can make joint pain worse
Dr. Bhor said that some diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis or lupus are common causes of joint pain symptoms that become serious during the rainy season.
Hoefitis, gout or even bone cancer, although rare, can also be the cause of pain and stiffness.
Mr. Pramod Bhor noted that people should be vigilant if they have symptoms such as swollen red joints, severe pain, fever of unknown cause, or pain lasting more than three days.
When seeing these unusual signs, patients need to see a doctor to determine the cause and receive timely treatment, Dr. Pramod Bhor emphasized.
5 effective ways to reduce joint pain during the rainy season
To control pain and maintain motor function, Dr. Pramod Bhor recommends 5 recommendations:
- Gentle exercise such as walking, cycling, swimming or water aerobic exercise helps flexible joints and reduce inflammation.
- Eat healthy, supplement with anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, green leafy vegetables, yogurt, nuts, green tea and garlic.
- Keep your body warm, especially your joints, by wearing warm clothes, taking warm baths or warming your living space.
- Refer to your doctor for painkillers, especially when the pain is past the endurance level.
- Get 78 hours of sleep per night, because quality sleep helps the body recover, reducing pain level.
The rainy season is no longer a nightmare if you understand the causes of joint pain and proactively prevent it with a healthy, scientific lifestyle.
