While winters do not cause arthritis, the cold weather is known to worsen aches and pains associated with the autoimmune disease. Experts say there are variety of factors that make winter season difficult for people suffering from arthritis.
Here are some easy lifestyle changes to prevent arthritis pain in cold months:
Dr Narayan Hulse, Director – Department of Orthopedics, Bone & Joint Surgery, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, India, says suggests the following lifestyle changes for people with arthritis during winters.
– Equipping yourself with winter clothes, home-heating etc to keep yourself warm.
– Exercises like brisk walking in the sun or gym activities not only increase your metabolic heat but also help to improve joint function. Also indulging in some sports activities may help your body and mind.
– Consumption of healthy foods especially fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and seeds.
– Vitamin D supplements are proven to be beneficial.
– Warm baths, warm pool swimming, or warm pool exercises help in maintaining body heat.
Tips for arthritis patients during winters:
1. Protecting the skin around the joint area is very important because when the skin becomes dry, it causes a burning sensation over the joints.
2. Moisturisers containing vitamins A and E will ease the pain.
3. Enough exposure to the sun (Vitamin D) will help in building and improving the bones.
4. People with rheumatoid arthritis should take warm tub baths to ease the pain.
5. Exercise helps the knees release adequate amounts of synovial fluid for better movements.
6. A balanced diet with a rich amount of Vitamin D, and Vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids, ginger, soya bean, fatty fish, green vegetables, nuts and seeds, plenty of water, and other collagen supplements will be helpful in joints and bone care during winter.