Joint pain in winters: Staying warm can help control joint pain in the winter season
Selection from the highest events
- Regular exercise can keep your joints and body healthy
- Add enough vitamin D to your diet for healthy bones and joints
- Stay warm during with hot drinks
With the onset of the winter season, joint pain becomes a common issue. It is common for the elderly. This pain is often associated with arthritis. But there are other causes that can cause combined muscle pain winters and that can affect different age groups except the elderly. It can also affect your ability to perform daily tasks effectively. There are various home remedies that can help you manage this pain at home depending on the cause of the pain. To understand the real reason for this unpleasant experience of the winter season we talked to various experts. Keep reading to know these causes, how to manage this pain effectively at home and when to see a doctor.
Joint pain in winters: What are the causes?
Sanjay Agarwala explains, “During the winter season when the temperature is low the muscles can go into spasm. The joints also resist shortening and tightening in winters. It is already affected by even a slight onset of injury.Another cause is insufficient levels of vitamin D. In winters, your body is usually very exposed to sunlight. This leads to a bad formation of vitamin D and as a result, you may experience pain in the muscles and joints. “
“If you are suddenly exposed to extreme temperatures, the cold can directly affect your joints as it affects the flow of blood in the cigarettes around the joint,” he adds.
Improper levels of vitamin D can lead to muscle and joint pain
Image credit: iStock
Dr. Ashish Jain states, “In winters there is a drop in temperature and a drop in barometric pressure that affects your joints. These lead to inflammation in the cartilage membrane and lining, increased sensitivity of joint pain receptors , tightness of the ligaments and muscles, lack of joint movements, due to inactivity and circulation blocking the flow of nutrients in the joint, all of which lead to increased chances of aches and pains in the joint. your joints along with stiffness and limited movement especially after a rest period like early in the morning. “
Read also: First Aid for Sprain
How do you manage this pain at home?
“Anything warm can help lower the blood vessels and reduce the pain. Drink something hot, use a warm shower or a heat shower. A ligament can provide some relief. A little exercise can also generate heat. in the body “and keep joints healthy,” Dr. Agarwala adds.
Read also: Living with arthritis? Follow these expert tips to manage joint pain in winters
Dr. Jain also shares some simple ways to reduce these pains-
- Keep the temperature around warm
- Insulate the limbs with proper clothing or a support band
- Wear tension clothing or packs for the joints such as the knee
- Regular physical activity even when indoors may help increase the pain including flexibility and strength training for the muscles
- Proper nutrition is also essential for the joints and muscles with the optimal level of protein, calcium and vitamin D and C.
- Proper irrigation is also essential
- Elevation to the legs helps to reduce the tightness of the joint
- Hot compresses or bath to relax the muscles and warm the ball
- Local application of liniments and massage oils also works wonders
A healthy diet full of protein can help keep your joints healthy
Image credit: iStock
When will you see a doctor?
If the pain worsens you need to seek medical help as there can be several other reasons behind this pain. You should not rely on home remedies for too long. Dr Jains also explains that a person should choose medical help immediately if-
- Inflammation seen in the component is particularly unbalanced
- A progressive increase in pain induces preventative measures mentioned earlier
- Limited range of complementary movements
- Limp is important when you walk
- Any high temperature or redness over the component
- Associated fever
Also read: Diet arthritis: foods you should avoid to control inflammation
Winter pains are usually worse in people with underlying issues such as arthritis and gout. A prompt and timely medical assessment can prevent this from getting worse to the point of disability.
(Dr. Sanjay Agarwala is Director – Professional Services, Head – Orthopedics & Traumatology at PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC)
(Dr. Ashish Jain is a consultant orthopedic & trauma surgeon at PD Hinduja Hospital & MRC)
Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing general information only. It does not replace qualified medical opinion at all. Always speak to a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.