Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder which targets joints, fingers, wrists, ankles, and feet. Seasonal temperature changes can aggravate pain, swelling, stiffness, and aches in your joints especially during the wintertime. Whether or not the seasonal changes bring any health issues, the joint pains should never be ignored! Get them treated at the right time as medicines are available to ease the rheumatoid arthritis pain. Also, it is also important to note that, arthritis affects even children and adults of any age groups.
What are the reasons for increased joint pain and aches during the winter months?
Here are a few tips to understand why pain flares up during the winter spell:
- When the atmospheric pressure lowers, it causes the tissues and joints to swell thereby it give you joint pain.
- Winter spells may decrease the blood circulation to the toes and fingers giving more pain to the muscles and joints.
- Decrease Vitamin D levels during the winter season can weaken bones and joints
- During winter the pain receptor becomes more sensitive
Tips to manage arthritis pain during the winter season:
Here are a few tips which help you manage pain during the winter season. Check out what those are:
- Wear warm clothes during winter and make sure to cover the area like hands, feet, and legs with layers of woollen clothes that can make you feel comfortable throughout the season. So, pick the clothes based on the climate and area where you live.
- Make sure to take a hot water bath either with Epsom salt, bentonite salt or iodized salt as it helps to relieve muscle, joint pain, and aches. Also, use essential oils to make your lazy days into active one. Mix carrier oil with the essential oil you use.
- Never skip your regular exercise routine during the winter days. It helps to activate muscles and joints which help to relieve stress and pressure from the joints making it more comfortable. Don’t forget to do a warm-up before you start your workout regimen.
- Take vitamin D supplements during the winter days as low levels of vitamin D can stiffen the muscles and joints thereby it raises the risk for osteoporosis. But, make sure to speak to the doctor before you plan to take the supplements. Buy best Vitamin D supplements and healthcare products from a trusted online medicine site and get them delivered directly at your doorstep.
- Drink enough water every day! Yes! Make a practice to stay hydrated well like summer days, even during the cold and chill winter days as well. Drinking eight glasses of water can make you relieve from pain and other health issues.
- Even when you head out during the wintertime make sure to use a coat, hat, leg warmers, and scarf to protect yourself from the cold and dry winds. Also, during the cold winter nights use a humidifier to make your home more moisture or warmth.
- Add well-balanced food in your diet. Include more veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, omega-3 fatty acid, and anti-inflammatory foods and herbs like turmeric, ginger, holy basil, and many more in your diet. These foods help to reduce inflammation of bones, joints, and other pain that occur throughout the body.
- Avoid going near the people who have developed flu. Individuals who have arthritis are easily prone to cold and flu. Hence take precautions and stay away from patients who have seasonal allergies. Try getting a flu shot every year.
- Try acupuncture, which is the ancient Chinese ancient technique of treating the pain which works by inserting the needles in the body, managing the pain, and restoring the body’s energy naturally.
- Practising meditation, breathing exercise and relaxation technique may help manage the stress, depression, and anxiety thereby reducing the pain naturally.
- Turmeric is a wonder herb and spice for treating pain and aches naturally. Yes! Adding turmeric powder to the dishes while you prepare will help manage the pain naturally as the spice is loaded with the anti-inflammatory property which helps to reduce the inflammation in joints and muscles.
- Many herbal supplements are available in the market, which helps to reduce aches and pain occurring in the muscles and joints. There is a lot of over-the-medication available that you can purchase easily from any trusted online medicine shop at the comfort of your home. But, if the OTC medicines don’t work or if the pain doesn’t subside, then consult the doctor.
Things you should take care of:
- Depression is quite a common thing to notice in arthritis patients. Timely treatment not only helps manage your mental stress, but also reduces the arthritis pain naturally.
- If you are suffering from unbearable joint and muscle pain, then never ignore. Manage the pain with the medication and therapies as delayed treatment may increase the inflammation.
- Frequently if you are on the pain relievers, then report them to the doctor and get the advice immediately.
- If you are a smoker, try to stay away from smoking as the chemicals and toxins from the smoke may bring more stress and pain in the joints.
- Never surround yourself with the layer of negative thoughts as it can increase the existing joint pain. Distract and engage yourself with the activities you like the most and talk to the therapist and take their advice if pain flares up.
- Getting natural sunlight early in the morning help to increase the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. It helps to keep your mood up.
Tips to manage aches at the workplace, if you are working:
- Adjust the computer screen in such a way it doesn’t strain your neck.
- Always keep your foot at rest so use a footrest if required.
- Don’t sit in the same position for a long time. Walking around and giving the movement to the body to help reduce the stiffness, fatigue, and pain.
- Choose the right chair and keep your shoulders, arm, and spine relaxed.
When to call the doctor?
If you have unbearable pain or if the pain flares up frequently, then consult the doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise a few blood tests and might suggest you with medications to ease the issue. Order prescription medicines from the best online pharmacy store and get them delivered directly at your doorstep.