The summer months may bring longer days full of warm weather and beautiful sunshine, but they can also aggravate joint pain and make it harder to find relief. For those whose joints are sensitive to the heat, knowing how to manage pain in the summer is crucial.
How Does Hot And Humid Weather Affect Joint Pain?
It’s common for those with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, to be temperature sensitive—some may be sensitive to cold weather, while others are sensitive to hot weather. Unfortunately, even if you enjoy the warmer weather, your joints may not!
Here’s how the heat and humidity of summer can lead to joint pain:
Humidity may lead to swelling and inflammation in the joints, which can then increase pain and stiffness. The heat itself may be the cause of your joint pain, as well. Specifically, the heat may cause the muscles and tendons around the joint to tighten, leading to pain.
Furthermore, if the weather is too hot, you may find yourself being more inactive, which can then cause pain and stiffness.
Easing Summer Joint Pain
For those who experience greater pain during the hot and humid summer months, the following tips can help you manage the pain:
- Dehydration in the summer, which can occur thanks to excess sweating, can reduce the fluid around your joints. To help combat this, ensure you stay hydrated using water and sports drinks. The more fluid in your body, the easier it is for your joints to move.
- Relax in the AC. When the temperatures rise, consider spending more of your time indoors in the air conditioning. Not only can the cooler air help reduce joint inflammation, but it also limits your time in the humid air, which can further support your joint health.
- Try new exercises. Just because it’s hot out does not mean that you should succumb to inactivity—it’s important to remain active to prevent pain and stiffness from setting in, but in the summer, you may have to get more creative. Consider trying a summer sport such as swimming. Not only does swimming help you stay active, but it does so while cooling your body. As a bonus, the buoyancy of water can help relieve pressure on your joints, further reducing pain.
- Focus on an anti-inflammatory diet. This is key all year round, but especially in the summer if your inflammation is acting up. Focus on high-fiber foods, fruits, nuts, and green leafy vegetables. Furthermore, stay away from foods high in saturated fats, as they can cause more inflammation.
When To See A Doctor About Joint Pain
While the tips above can help you manage your joint pain in the summer, it’s important to know when it’s time to see a doctor for your joint pain. Generally, if you cannot perform tasks of daily living or the activities you enjoy, it’s time to see a doctor about your joint pain.
At Orthopedic Associates, our doctors can help you no matter what joints are experiencing pain. Dr. Imran Choudhry specializes in arthritis of the fingers, while Dr. Eric Lindberg specializes in foot and ankle disorders, including those that result from arthritis.
If you’re ready to enjoy the summer months and finally beat joint pain, contact Orthopedic Associates to set up an apppointment.
