Weather Arthritis Index (2024)

FAQs

Which is worse for arthritis, high or low barometric pressure? ›

One study from Tufts University showed that with every 10 degree drop in temperature, arthritis pain increased in the study participants. It also showed that low barometric pressure, low temperatures and rain can increase pain. Studies in cadavers have showed that barometric pressure can affect pressure in the joints.

Many people living with arthritis will tell you that they can predict the weather based on their level of joint pain. There may be something to this: studies suggest that changes in weather factors may increase pain.

But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California. But obviously there are no absolutes and no guarantees that moving to a different climate would help your arthritis.

It's no wives' tale—people with arthritis and other joint conditions may be able to tell when the weather is going to change. Cold and damp weather tend to make joint pain worse, particularly in people with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other disorders involving the joints.

Virginia, Maryland, California, and Illinois also ranked high. The lowest-scoring state was Wyoming, which got only 37 out of 150 points. South Carolina, Nevada, Mississippi, and Idaho rounded out the bottom five.

I have had many patients tell me that they feel stiffer after sleeping with air conditioning. I suspect it isn't the temperature, so much as it is a change from the outside. However, several studies have shown it is humidity that tends to bring on worsened symptoms in people with arthritis.

Scientists suggest that a fall in air pressure allows the tissues (including muscles and tendons) to swell or expand. This exerts pressure on the joints resulting in increased pain and stiffness. A fall in air pressure may exert a greater effect if it is accompanied by a fall in temperature as well.

Could it be a sign of osteoarthritis, you wonder? Pain in one or more of your joints is the classic symptom of this condition. Usually it starts to hurt when you use the joint or right after you wake up. The pain also often gets worse at the end of the day.

3 – MYTH: Cold, wet climates make arthritis worse. FACT: There is no scientific evidence supporting the theory that a particular climate is better for people with arthritis.

Stay dry: Moisture can exacerbate feelings of cold and discomfort. Using waterproof clothing and staying indoors during heavy rain can help manage symptoms. Supplements: Some supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin, may help reduce joint inflammation and pain.

What does arthritis pain feel like? ›

What is pain from arthritis like? The pain you may experience will vary depending on the type and severity of arthritis you have. It may be dull or sharp, burning or throbbing. It can be associated with swollen joints or no swelling.

The ideal barometric pressure typically falls between 29 and 31 inHg. This barometric pressure is comfortable for most people and will possibly allow them to live with less joint pain, especially if the area they reside in does not fluctuate rapidly throughout the day or week with barometric pressure readings.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. OTC doses of these drugs, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may be useful for relieving pain. At higher prescription doses they may also relieve inflammation.

Researchers have found that high barometric pressure can make people more sensitive to pain while low barometric pressures make them less sensitive to it. So, changes in barometric pressure doesn't necessarily cause pain, but it does influence how our minds (and thus our bodies) react to it.

Low barometric pressure may irritate sensitive nerves and cause tissues in your body to swell. It makes your muscles, tendons, and any scar tissue contract and expand, creating pain in the joints.

Consuming high-purine foods like shellfish or beer, becoming dehydrated, experiencing sudden changes in kidney function, or local trauma to a joint (like stubbing your big toe) can also trigger flares. Taking urate-lowering medicines should lessen the likelihood of having a flare due to these triggers.

It might be that drastic changes — like traveling to the mountains from a low-lying area, or vice versa — lie behind the pain flares. Whether tissues are expanding (under low pressure) or contracting (under high pressure), any big shift from one to the other might cause someone with RA to feel pain.