When the colder weather sets in, even individuals who aren’t living with a painful 
condition such as arthritis struggle with cold getting to their bones and their joints feeling stiff. Winter is particularly difficult if you are living with arthritis.
Managing your condition in the colder months may mean adapting a few things but a few changes can help ensure that winter isn’t too difficult and that your pain levels remain under control, below are some tips to consider.
1. Continue Exercising
You may like to take an evening walk or enjoy gardening in the evening but this can become difficult once the early winter nights set in and the cold outside becomes too much to comfortable handle but this doesn’t mean you should stop exercising. Instead consider some strengthening exercises and stretches you can do inside and ask your doctor or specialist for some advice as to which exercises are best for your condition. Stopping exercising can be very bad for your joints and can mean they seize up and become less flexible. Strengthening exercising can help to make your joints stronger and can even improve their flexibility.
2. Consider your Diet
If you are carrying a few extra pounds you are putting additional strain on your already sore and inflamed joints. Looking at ways to eat more healthily can help reduce your weight and therefore take some of the pressure off your joints, especially knees and ankles. The winter is a good time to focus on your diet as it’s likely you’ll be out and about less due to the colder weather and you can concentrate on healthy home cooked meals.
3. Keep taking your Vitamins
Healthy bones require specific vitamins, most importantly calcium and vitamin D to keep them in the healthiest order. To make vitamin D the body needs sunshine and in the winter months this can be hard to come by so it is worth discussing a supplement with your doctor and finding out if they can help ensure you keep your levels up and your bones in the best possible condition.
4. Stay Warm
Remember to keep your aching and inflamed joints warm during the winter months to help the stiffness and soreness that comes alongside inflammation under control. You could make sure you’ve got an extra hot water bottle to hand for those sorest joints throughout the day time and have a relaxing, warm bath to relieve the stress and stiffness in your joints each evening.
5. Be Vigilant and Safe
Some people with arthritis find the condition gives them an unfortunate predisposition for falls and the risk of broken bones so it is important to be extra careful when out and about, especially when it is wet, snowy or icy. Shoes with good grip are essential as is walking slowly and carefully, with small, steady steps. If you use a cane it is recommended you purchase an ice tip to ensure it can grip properly.
Make an appointment to discuss Arthritis and other related bone conditions
If you have any questions about Arthritis and other related bone conditions or would like to book an appointment with Dr Stephanie Barrett then please get in touch here.
