New Delhi, Do you complain of worsening pain during winters? Well that’s because the low temperature leads to increase in the aching body parts as during cold weather the body conserves warm blood around the heart and circulates less blood to the other peripheral areas because of which joints become stiffer leading to reduced mobility and thus the pain increases. When the skin is colder, pain sensors work more, which is why we feel more hurt. Here we are offering some tips for patients with joint pain:
Warm clothes
Cold weather tends to create lifestyle conditions that can lead to arthritic symptoms. Keep yourself warm with gloves on your hands. Woolen layers over knees and legs will also help in minimizing pain. Warm clothes raise the temperature in that part of the body and increase local blood flow aiding in relieving pain. People with joint pain should keep themselves active with indoor exercises.
Swimming and warm baths
Swimming in a heated pool is both great exercise and soothing for joints. You can also get relief from warm baths. But don't go right out into the cold immediately after, let your body temperature normalize a bit first.
Vitamin D intake
Being deficient in vitamin D might make osteoarthritis worse as there is lesser sunshine in the winter reducing the absorption of vitamin D in the body. So this is a good time to take a supplement or make sure your diet is vitamin D-rich.
Solid and supportive shoes
When the weather turns cool, people with arthritis need to protect their joints from further damage. If going outside, they should pick solid, supportive shoes with good treads and try to walk on a surface with adequate friction.
These suggestions could help you keep safe in the winter, make sure you keep them in mind and enjoy the winter!
