How to Care for Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Winter
Smart steps can ease your pain during the cooler months.
If you live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that it causes your immune system to attack the lining of your body’s joints, causing pain and stiffness.
You may have noticed that symptoms worsen during certain times of the year. In the winter, this may be due to changes in barometric pressure that make our tendons, muscles, and bones contract and expand. Many of us are also less active in the winter, which makes our joints feel stiff and achy. Here’s what you can do to help this winter.
How to Ease Your Joint Pain in Cooler Weather
Bundle up. The National Institutes of Health suggests layering clothes to keep warm. Pay attention to your feet and hands, where the joints are more susceptible to increased RA symptoms, or “flares.” Always wear warm socks and shoes, as well as gloves.
Visit your doctor. A common treatment for RA is immunosuppressants. See your rheumatologist regularly to ensure that your medication isn’t diminishing the effectiveness of vaccines or making you more vulnerable to a virus.
Keep these tips in mind to help you stay healthy and ease your joint pain this winter. For more healthy living tips, follow Clover Health on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
This article was originally published in the Winter 2022 issue of Clover Living magazine. For more health tips, workout ideas, recipes, and more, subscribe to Clover Living magazine for free here.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan
Published on 1/18/22
Photo credit: Getty
