Soothe Seasonal Arthritis Flare-Ups! How to Stay Warm to Alleviate Joint Pain During the Cold Season
Although old age comes with increased wisdom, it also makes someone more prone to joint problems such as arthritis. As the young members of your family get excited over a cool brisk morning, arthritic members likely feel sad as they prepare to brave joint pains and aches has come. Arthritis flare-ups worsen during the cold season, but "warmth" can help alleviate them.
Though taking vitamin D supplements, adjusting your diet and getting a massage could help mitigate arthritis flare-ups during the cold months, staying warm could be more effective. If you have arthritis or have a loved one suffering from this joint problem, here are some tips to help alleviate arthritic flare-ups.
Get Warm Layers
Having several layers of clothes will help trap warm air and keep it close to your body. The first layer you put on should have breathable cotton, followed by lightweight fleece or wool. The outerwear shouldn't let in moisture and it should suit the weather. If you keep yourself warm, especially from the hips to the shoulders, you can help enhance blood flow to all parts of the body. However, wearing heavy and bulky clothing won't fully alleviate arthritis flare-ups if the indoor temperatures are low.
Use Waterproof Shoes
If the feet of an arthritic individual get cold and wet, cold sensitivity is easily exacerbated. It's hard to hide your feet from freezing rain, snow or ice always during the cold months. However, wearing waterproof shoes could help keep the feet warm and dry. People with painful, cramped arthritic feet are more vulnerable to a debilitating fall during the cold season. If you love bike riding and hiking, go for water-resistant sneakers so the body heat isn't lost through the feet.
Eat Thermogenic Foods
If you have foods that increase body temperature–thermogenic foods, you could easily alleviate arthritis pain and inflammation during the cold weather. Spices such as cayenne, turmeric and ginger can naturally fight arthritis flare-ups. However, citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges won't help combat arthritis because they have vasodilation properties. When the blood vessels are relaxed and expanded, more blood flow throughout the body, increasing body temperature.
Warm Up Your Rooms
A heating system that won't work during the cold months is a total nightmare. If the rooms aren't heated, alleviating arthritic flare-ups through other warmth-sources won't be effective. If you can keep your heating system in good shape throughout the year, arthritis pain won't worsen during the cold weather. Most heating systems stop working due to a malfunctioning thermostat, dead heat pump, cracked heat exchanger, low refrigeration levels, defective blower capacitor, dirty or damaged filters, too much gas or poor maintenance. If you don't want joint pain to worsen when fall and winter days come, hire a heating repair contractor to keep the appliance in good working condition.