No more freezing Joints!!!

Joints are the parts of your body where your bones meet. Joint Pain refers to the discomfort, aches, and soreness in any of the body’s joints. It is a common complaint that can be found nearly in every household. Arthritis is a frequent cause of joint pain. There are two main forms of arthritis, both of which may cause many cases of joint pain:

Osteoarthritis- This disease targets the knees, hips, and hands generally. Joint pain due to osteoarthritis results from a breakdown of the cartilage that serves as a cushion and shock absorbed for the joints.

Rheumatoid Arthritis- It can deform and debilitate the joints over time. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, inflammation, and fluid buildup in the joints as the membrane that lines them is attacked by the body’s immune system.

How does cold, damp weather affect Arthritis?

Cold, damp weather is well known for aggravating aching bones. Blame it on the barometric pressure. Any change in pressure, or the weight of the air pressing against the surface of the earth, can trigger joint pain or headaches in some people. "Arthritis affects everything else within the joint itself, including the joint lining, which we call the synovial, as well as the ligaments that are within the joint. Rheumatoid and arthritic conditions may react badly to winter; what may be merely a stiff joint or a dull ache in summer months can become a shooting pain in cold, damp weather. Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of 'wear and tear' on joints which causes a degeneration of cartilage at a joint, with the growth of painful bone 'spurs' in the surrounding tissue. It can occur at anybody’s joint, but is most commonly found in fingers, hands, hips and the spine. Like all arthritic conditions, it may react to changes in the weather, and just as good weather can ease pain levels, so the onset of wintry weather can cause an increase in discomfort.

The cold season not only restricts the amount of sunlight – a natural source of vitamin D – that provides strength to the bones, but also makes people susceptible to joint aches.’

In cold weather the body tends to circulate less blood to the peripheral areas as a way of conserving warm blood around the heart. As a result, the joints become inflexible, which leads to joint pain.

So to help you tide over this treacherous season, here are 6 tips:

Tip # 1: Follow a healthy diet by including seasonal fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals and dairy products into your daily meal.

Tip # 2: It is essential for people, suffering from joint and knee pain to include foods rich in Vitamin K, D and C (like oranges, spinach, cabbage and tomatoes) into their diet; as they play an important role in the production of cartilage and help the body absorb calcium, strengthening the bones.

Tip # 3: Exercise regularly. It not only helps you lose weight but also increases flexibility and strengthens the muscles that support the knee (e.g. aerobics, walking, swimming or cycling). Your knees experience about three to four times your body weight when you walk, so lose weight to help your knees.

Tip # 4: Have warm baths. They are beneficial in keeping your joints warm and help relieve the stiffness and pain of arthritis and other conditions.

Tip # 5: Get some sun. The sun supplies you with essential vitamin D. This is essential for the strengthening of the bones and other bodily functions. So soak up the sun either in the morning or evening. It will not only naturally warm you up; it will also give you much needed nutrients.

Tip # 6: Stay away from unhealthy drinks. Alcohol, tea, coffee, and other aerated drinks reduce the amount of calcium you absorb, and weaken bones. Swap your caffeine-fueled drinks for water and fresh juice.