When the temperature drops or rain clouds begin to gather in the sky, many people claim to feel the weather changes in their bones. Some may swear that old injuries are starting to flare up, while others suffering from existing musculoskeletal problems may suddenly complain of joint pain.
What is the explanation for this unusual sensation shared by many? Scientists have been searching for the answer to this question for years, but to this day, the connection between weather and pain is still not fully understood. However, previous research has shown that fluctuations in air pressure, humidity and wind speed are potential factors that lead to increased pain in some people.
Read more: Old wives' tales predicting the weather: which are based on science and which are just folklore?
Less pressure, more pain
If you suffer from joint pain in cold or wet weather, chances are the underlying cause may be a change in barometric pressure, which measures the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on the Earth's surface.
A decrease in air pressure occurs when a cold front passes through an area, causing dense cold air (which sinks) to be pushed under moist warm air (which rises) and pushes it upward. The displaced warm air then cools and condenses, forming clouds. inclement weather and a sharp drop in temperature.
Decreased barometric pressure during a cold front means there is less pressure on our bodies; this may sound good, but it is often associated with increased pain in people with musculoskeletal conditions, as lack of joint compression can cause musclestendons and other tissues expand. Pressure changes and cold weather can also change the consistency of synovial fluid, which acts as a kind of liquid cushion for joints, reducing friction between them.
Stress and stiffness in cold weather
Those diagnosed with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia will likely feel the most pain from a drop in barometric pressure.
This is shown in a 2019 study published in PLOS One The study collected data on pain levels in 48 patients with fibromyalgia, a chronic disease that causes pain in tissues throughout the body. Study participants reported their pain and emotional state through cell phone messages that were linked to meteorological data corresponding to the time of the messages.
The study found that lower barometric pressure was associated with increased pain in the majority of participants. However, it has also been associated with increased stress levels. The researchers speculate that this may mean that changes in barometric pressure somehow affect stress levels in some people, potentially increasing pain levels.
Cold weather can cause stiffness and discomfort for others who already have injuries, including previous fractures, sprains, torn ligaments, or muscle strains. This can be due to various factors, such as tissue swelling putting pressure on nerves, narrowing of blood vessels, or muscle tension.
Cold temperatures aren't the only weather changes that cause pain. Research has shown that higher humidity (also associated with a drop in air pressure) worsens a number of health problems, from arthritis to migraines.
Uncertain prognosis
Even though this problem seems so widespread, many scientists note that the connection between weather and pain is murky and that much remains to be seen. Research on this issue has produced mixed results in the past but has failed to reach a true consensus.
Conflicting studies have even debunked the idea that weather directly causes pain. 2024 review in Seminars on arthritis and rheumatism analyzed existing international studies of weather and musculoskeletal pain and found no significant association between weather conditions and an increased risk of knee, hip or low back pain symptoms.
Saying that you can predict when a storm will hit based on joint pain may be a slight exaggeration, but there's no denying that many people still associate pain with weather changes. However, at the moment the problem can only be attributed to theory.
This article does not contain medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.
Read more: Climate and weather: what's the difference?
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