Many myths seem believable. For example, we don’t necessarily need to drink eight glasses of water a day; the amount we need varies on our body mass. Likewise, contrary to popular belief, we do use more than 10% of our brains. As the seasons change, you may wonder, are there any myths with the weather? Studies have shown that there is a connection between the weather and your mood, but what about arthritis? Well, our chiropractor in Oceanside has some insight.
Arthritis – What is it?
There are over 100 different types of Arthritis in existence. The disease affects over 50 million adults and 300,000 children worldwide. Below are some of the most common forms of arthritis:
- Degenerative arthritis – With osteoarthritis, the patient’s pain is caused by the degeneration of ligaments between bones. As a result, the bone rubs on bone without the soft cushion of the ligament. Mild to moderate cases can be treated with hot/cold therapies, regular physical activity, healthy diet, or NSAIDs.
- Inflammatory arthritis – The body’s immune system could accidentally attack inflamed joints and cause joint erosion. Two kinds of inflammatory arthritis are rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis. Because this kind is autoimmune, early detection is important. If you have any questions, contact your chiropractor in Oceanside. DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) can also be considered as a possible treatment.
The Effect of Weather:
In warmer weather, hot air rises and air molecules expand. However, there is no proof that arthritis is linked to temperature. Those with arthritis may feel their pain worsening before it rains or snows. Likewise, it is not the storm itself that causes this change.
So what causes the pain? The change in temperature and pressure is the answer. A 2007 study found that patients had an increase in pain when the temperature dropped or barometric pressure increased. Barometric pressure, or air pressure, changes over time. Density is less for hotter air than cooler air.
Should You Visit a Chiropractor in Oceanside?
On any given day, your arthritis can flare up, so don’t let it intrude on your everyday activities. You can predict your joint pain level by using the arthritis weather index. Aside from that though, you can work with a chiropractor in Oceanside to help reduce the pain that comes along with arthritis. Your chiropractor can administer a full body examination to determine what the best possible treatment is for you. If you feel like you would benefit from a chiropractor in Oceanside, contact the Comprehensive Health Care Group today.
