VISITING ANGELS WHITE PLAINS, NY 914-696-4200
Facebook YouTube X Instagram
Managing arthritis pain through the winter

Managing arthritis pain through the winter

It’s happened to many people before: sometimes you feel that ache or pain, and you just know deep down inside that the weather is to blame. Shortly after, the temperature might drastically drop, or a rainstorm might pass through. It’s a commonly talked about phenomenon, but some research suggests that barometric pressure and temperature may have a hand in causing pain flare-ups.

Winter weather in Westchester County can be especially tough on those who have arthritis, and it affects both inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis. Now that the cold weather has settled in, it may be disrupting your or your loved one’s quality of life. According to the Arthritis Foundation, the cold doesn’t cause arthritis, but it does cause an increase in joint pain. Luckily there are a few ways to manage this until the weather warms up.

Stay warm

This may be obvious, but it’s also the easiest thing you can do to prevent winter pain from seeping into your joints. Layering up with extra garments around your affected joints can prove helpful, like gloves or extra layers around the knees and ankles. Layers are always easy to remove if you’ve overdone them, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you feel chilled to the bone after spending time outside, a hot bath can provide some relief to your joints.

Avoid triggering foods

For those with rheumatoid arthritis, certain foods can trigger flare-ups in pain throughout the body. The winter is accompanied by the holidays when we regularly indulge in heavy meals and sweet desserts that may be full of ingredients that our body does not handle well. The following foods may provoke flare-ups:

  • Red meat
  • Sugar and refined flours in white bread, pasta and white rice
  • Fried foods
  • Gluten
  • Alcohol
  • Processed foods

It may not be realistic to avoid all of these foods throughout the entire winter, but limiting your intake may help avoid inflammation in the body.

Supplement some Vitamin D

The lack of sunlight received in the dark winter months can mean that your Vitamin D levels are dropping lower than usual. It’s an extremely common problem: research suggests that 42% of Americans are Vitamin D deficient. Low Vitamin D can contribute to increased sensitivity to pain, and many patients with inflammatory arthritis have shown more severe pain when Vitamin D drops below the necessary threshold. Vitamin D supplements are a great way to combat this.

Sleep well

Poor sleep can worsen the symptoms of arthritis. Unfortunately, after a restless night, the increased pain the following day can lead to a cycle of bad sleep that is hard to break. Continued poor sleeping habits can lower a person’s threshold and tolerance to pain, increasing their sensitivity to their symptoms. 

Check-in on your mental health

Depression and anxiety are common in the winter months, and a prolonged “down” feeling can make you more sensitive or hyper-focused on the pain you’re experiencing. Reaching out to a friend or trusted family member about your issues can be a mental release that will ease your mood and promote positivity. Practicing self-care also helps, and some can help alleviate symptoms, like a hot bath or a gentle body scrub. The winter may be hard to bear at times, but it will end eventually, and you will find relief.

How Visiting Angels can help

A Visiting Angels Westchester County caregiver can assist you with household tasks that have become unmanageable due to joint pain. Our compassionate caregivers are available to assist with light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, and medication reminders to keep regimented management on your joint pain. Your caregiver can also assist with running errands out in the cold so that you do not have to struggle through them, including shopping for groceries. Visiting Angels in White Plains offers caregivers in Westchester County who are skilled, compassionate, and hold their care to the highest standards. Reach out today to learn about how an in-home caregiver can improve your quality of life year-round at (914) 696-4200.

Serving Westchester County

Visiting Angels WHITE PLAINS, NY
4 W Red Oak Ln #112
White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: 914-696-4200
Fax: 914-696-4201

Serving Westchester County

Visiting Angels WHITE PLAINS, NY
4 W Red Oak Ln #112
White Plains, NY 10604
Phone: 914-696-4200
Fax: 914-696-4201