Does Your Joint Pain Level Predict The Weather?

People with arthritis often claim they can predict the weather, based on their joint pain level, and with good reason. Studies show a variety of weather factors can increase pain, especially changes.

A study from Tufts University in 2007 found that every 10-degree drop in temperature corresponded with an incremental increase in arthritis pain. In addition, relatively low barometric pressure, low temperatures and precipitation can increase pain. Researchers aren't sure why this happens. They suspect certain atmospheric conditions increase swelling in the joint capsule.

It's typical for pain to start even before the first raindrops fall, says David Borenstein, MD, FACP, FACR, a rheumatologist and clinical professor of medicine at George Washington University Medical Center and past president of the American College of Rheumatology.

When weather-related pain strikes, "It isn't a permanent change. It's short-lived." In fact, people will begin to adjust to the barometric changes. "The body is acclimating to the change and will move fluid from the joint into the circulation, so the patient feels less stiff and less achy. These are physiological changes that occur in relationship to these barometric changes, and they will in fact resolve," says Dr. Borenstein.

Would you like to see if your arthritis is impacted by the weather?

For those of you interested in viewing the weather and arthritis forecast, visit http://www.AccuWeather.com - type in your zip code and then click on the arthritis link at the top of the page.