From english.jagran.com
Dr Himanshu Tyagi, Additional Director of Orthopaedics at Fortis Greater Noida, shares his expert advice on managing arthritis symptoms and mobility challenges during colder months
The onset of winter triggers arthritis in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis to some extent; both of them deteriorate in the winter season. If a patient has knee pain because of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which is generalised body pain or joint pain because of inflammation in the body, then special care is required during the winter season.
Avoid Sleeping In An Excessively Cold Atmosphere
Normally a person with rheumatoid or osteoarthritis should avoid sleeping in an excessively cold atmosphere or in a room where there is no heater. So, one important thing is the body should be adequately warmed; otherwise, in the morning the patient might feel excessive stiffness. Always use a blanket or a heater in the room during the winter season.
Warm Massage To Avoid Stiffness
Oil massage or warm massage should be done before sleeping. If the patient has supposing knee pain or hand stiffness, then a massage with hot oil will definitely help.
Take Right Anti-Inflammatory Medicines
The dose of anti-inflammatory medicines, in the case of rheumatoid patients, might require an increase during the winter season. Before the commencement of winter, the patient should always consult his or her physician or rheumatologist so that the medicine dose can be adjusted accordingly. Also, sometimes what happens is the requirement of medicine or the SOS painkiller also goes up during the winter season. The patient might feel more than normal pain during the winter season. So not only the dose of DMARDs, basically the rheumatoid medicines, needs to be adjusted, but sometimes an occasional painkiller might also be required to be added.
Regular Exercise
One more important thing that patients should always do is regular exercise. In the morning, 10 minutes of all joint mobilization exercises should be done. All joint mobilization exercises mean the exercises that involve all the joints: hand, wrist, shoulder, knee and back. Additionally, wear comfortable and flexible clothes to allow the movement of all joints, and make sure you are doing these exercises in warm weather.
There are a few other general instructions, such as not wearing excessively loose clothes; such clothes cause falls due to their flowy nature, and the elderly are more vulnerable because a fracture might happen because of the fall. Use anti-skid mattresses and carpets for the elderly so the chances of falling off the bed due to pain can be reduced, which can lead to fractures. Following these tips and precautions, arthritis patients can manage mobility challenges and extra pain during the cold weather.
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