November 4, 2007

Does Weather Really Affect Arthritis?

In the 1960s, a famed arthritis specialist named Dr. J. Hollander orchestrated a study to demonstrate how high levels of humidity along with low barometric pressure increased stiffness and joint pain in patients who suffered from arthritis. The fibromyalgia sufferers in this study indicated more pain only during days of high pressure. At the end of this study, no significant links between changing weather patterns and an increase in arthritis pain were ever found. Why Weather is Believed to Affect Arthritis Pain
" Cold and rainy weather is often accompanied by a distinct drop in air pressure. The Types of Weather Changes That May Affect Arthritis Pain
" Barometric or air pressure: Although rising barometric pressure, which is the amount of force or weight exerted by the air around us, may also affect some types of arthritis pain, more often than not it is a rapid decline in air pressure, such as the drop that's associated with stormy weather, that causes an increase in aches and pains.
" Humidity: The amount of water vapors in the air is referred to as either humidity, absolute humidity, or relative humidity. - Temperature: Cold weather has long been associated with arthritis pain and stiffness in the joints, as well […]