ANSWERS: 1
  • For people who suffer from arthritis, the cold winter months often signal a time for more pain and stiffness. While joint pain occurs throughout the year, the cold, damp weather somehow seems to make things worse. The paradox is that doctors recommend cold and heat as palliative treatments for arthritic joint pain. How can a cold pack relieve joint pain and cold weather cause pain? The key seems to be in the actual weather changes that affect the joint pain.

    Significance

    According to the National Institutes of Health, patients with arthritic joints may experience swelling, redness, warmth, stiffness, and pain. Because of these uncomfortable symptoms, arthritis sufferers also have a decreased range of motion.

    Function

    The Cleveland Clinic recognizes the value of using alternate heat and ice packs as palliative care for arthritis pain and inflammation. We can conclude that apparently the cold or warmth by itself does not make joint pain worse.

    Considerations

    According to the National Institutes of Health, what many patients believe to be pain from the cold weather is actually the effects of weather changes on the joints. People notice the change in air pressure in their joints.

    Effects

    Soft tissue encapsulating the joints expands when the air pressure is low. Because the soft tissue expands in this manner, it impinges on the joint area and causes pain.

    Geography and Climate

    According to the Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Alert, there is no ideal environment for arthritis sufferers. They may benefit somewhat from a warm, dry climate; however, this is neither curative nor completely palliative.

    Prevention/Solution

    The NIH recommends that arthritis patients dress warmly in cold weather, in order to reduce stiffness.

    Source:

    National Institutes of Health

    Arthritis: The Cleveland Clinic

    Arthritis: The Mayo Clinic

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