Wintertime is not many people’s favorite time of the year. It’s cold, dark, and snow, slush, and ice make it difficult to get around. On top of the weather, the winter months bring with them another risk – illness.
It’s no surprise that more people seem to be out of the office during this time. This is the time of the year where germs are everywhere, and everyone is getting sick. In particular, joint pain and respiratory problems tend to worsen during the winter.
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For starters, if you already have a respiratory problem like asthma, it can worsen because you’re cooped up indoors most of the day with little air circulation. This means you’re surrounded by germs as well as pollutants and allergens. Heading outdoors isn’t great either, as you’ll have a hard time breathing in the cold air. If you are heading outdoors, ensure that you’re well equipped in layers and covering your mouth and nose as best as possible.
As for joint pain, this can seem worse during the winter as well. First off, in the winter, we move less, so our muscles become tighter and joints stiffer. Furthermore, when we are cold, our blood becomes constricted, meaning areas like our hands and feet – where many of us experience joint pain – hurt more.
The key to reducing joint pain in the winter is to stay warm, especially when heading outdoors, and to try and keep moving as much as possible. Although it may seem like a good idea to binge-watch TV, it will only make your joint pain worse.
Head over to an indoor area like a mall where you can walk around and get moving. Invest in a treadmill or stationary bike so you don’t need to leave your house. You may even utilize heat packs or take hot baths and showers to ease muscle tension.
If joint pain and respiratory problems affect you, pay special attention this time of the year to reduce symptoms and prevent complications.
Also read:
- Avoid these foods if you have joint pain
- Musculoskeletal pain treatment: Therapies and exercises to avoid further complications
- Best Exercises to Perform with Joint Pain
Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
