7 CONDITIONS THAT SUFFER FROM PAIN DUE TO CHANGES IN THE WEATHER…

It’s not just Fibromyalgia sufferers who complain of change of seasons pain. Studies have shown that people suffering from joint pain, headaches, arthritis, stomach pain, back pain, CFS and fibromyalgia may experience flare ups or increases in pain correlated with changes in barometric pressure and other factors when temperatures go from warm to cool or cold.

Southside Pain Specialist say barometric pressure is the weight of the surrounding atmosphere. This pressure typically drops prior to bad weather, which means there is less air pressure on the body. This causes tissue to expand. Expanded tissue creates pressure within the body that then results in pain or the sensation of pain or discomfort. People who suffer from chronic pain may have heightened sensitivity to such pain.

Web MD explain that you can’t change the weather, but if your rheumatoid arthritis acts up when it’s cold and rainy, there’s a lot you can do ease stiffness and pain. Research suggests autumn may be the sweet spot for RA, while winter and spring are the most challenging. 

The changing of seasons can trigger cluster headaches, which happen one or more times a day for a few weeks or months. Clusters are common in the fall and spring, when we adjust our clocks for daylight saving time.

Hunimed point out that it’s not just joints that can be affected by seasonal changes, your stomach can also suffer. It is important to understand the differences in seasonal patterns and how they can bring about abdominal pain. In both children and adults, both acidity and heartburn along with other digestion issues may exist due to common chronic pain conditions, they can also be triggered by various factors that may vary with age. Nevertheless, particular attention should be paid to nutritional and lifestyle choices.

In current urban lifestyles, many individuals don’t get enough sleep and many also stay up until early hours of the morning either watching TV or surfing the net. This is often accompanied by late night snacking, forcing the digestive system to work at an hour when it should be resting.

Vanness Chiropractors say our bodies adjust to the climate we’re living in, so any dips in weather equal back pain, no matter the starting temperature or the degree of the dip. Decreased pressure causes the body’s tissues to expand and press against joints and structures in the back, and you’ll recognize that the pressure dropped with the return of your consistent back pain.

When the barometric pressure drops, this fluid surrounding the joint expands, thus causing the body’s tissues and membranes to stretch even further. This chain reaction means that your pain nerve fibers are irritated – and you’re all of a sudden acutely aware of your back pain.

The Centre For Spine say up to 8 in 10 people will have back pain in their lifetime, and in many cases, a flair up is caused by a drop in temperature. Aches and pains during these cold months can be some of the hardest to deal with because tendons and joints contract in the cold air, making the pain seem more excruciating. If you are one of the many people who suffers from winter pain, there may be a few solutions that will actually decrease your pain.

According to an extensive review of clinical research by Pain Treatment Topics, authored by Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD., people suffering from pain usually had inadequate levels of vitamin D. “In our review of 22 clinical research studies persons with various pain and fatigue syndromes almost always lacked vitamin D, especially during winter months.

When sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, the aches, pains, weakness, and related problems in most sufferers either vanished or were at least helped to a significant degree.

Some tips on how to help ease the pain during the change of seasons are to stay warm, and add extra layers. Stash a blanket in every room of your home. Power up a space heater. If your place is drafty or cool, Cadet says, look for home improvements that seal up drafts.

Lotions or essential oils also do the trick. Warm them up in your hands first. Then use them to massage your joints. Your instinct may be to hunker down at home when it’s rainy or cold outside, but try to resist. If you want to feel better, get active. Try an activity that doesn’t put pressure on your joints, like yoga, tai chi, and swimming. Regular stretching can help you ward off pain and stiffness. Eat well as a healthy diet makes a difference in how you feel when the seasons change.

Source : Centre for Spine, Vanness Chiro, Web MD, South Side Pain, Hunimed.