Arthritis symptoms like pain and swelling can ramp up in the summer. Arthritis is no fun any time of year, but flares can happen more frequently in the summer, making those hot months even more unbearable. Despite the pain, swelling, and stiffness, you still have to get up, go to work, and take care of yourself and your family. Fortunately, you can find relief from uncomfortable symptoms with a few self-care steps and an understanding of what causes painful arthritis flares. Innovations Stem Cells can also help mitigate flares when the temperatures rise.
Why Does Arthritis Worsen During Summer?
If your painful arthritis seems to flare up in summer, the reason is that hot and humid weather makes your joints more prone to swelling. The more swelling that happens in your joints, the more painful your joints will become. Another reason your symptoms spike is that changes in barometric pressure also have an impact on your joints. When the pressure changes – and it happens a lot in Texas during the warmer months – it can cause nerve receptors in your joints to become more sensitive, tighter, swollen, and stiff. You may not know this, either, but your ligaments, muscles, tendons, and other connective tissues can expand with the changes in pressure, too. This makes joints extra painful.
Treatment Options for Painful Arthritis
- Hydration: One way to help reduce the effects of temperature changes on your joints is to stay hydrated. A good rule of thumb is to drink half your weight in ounces of water every day. Why does staying hydrated matter? If you’re dehydrated, the synovial fluid in your joints is not replenished. This means your bones are not cushioned during movement, which can result in pain.
- Anti-Inflammatory Diet & Exercise: In addition to drinking more water, you can try eating an anti-inflammatory diet and becoming more active. Yes, getting more active may sound counterintuitive, especially if you’re in pain, but moving more often can help strengthen your joints and ward off painful symptoms. Be sure to get cleared by your physician first before starting any exercise routine, but we recommend low-impact exercises like walking, yoga, bike riding, and swimming.
- Stem Cell Therapy for Painful Arthritis: Another way you can reduce painful arthritis symptoms is through stem cell therapy. Stem cells have proven useful for some people living with arthritis, and many patients see improvements in just one to two days. The anti-inflammatory results typically last two to three months and many patients see a gradual improvement in their overall condition over time.
Contact Innovations Medical for More Information About Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis
If you’re looking to improve your appearance, manage pain, or treat a chronic illness, Innovations Medical is here for you. Our skilled professionals help you decide which treatment is best for you — keeping you informed and confident in the next steps. We’ve been helping our patients look and feel their best since 2005, and even our most advanced procedures are often minimally invasive.
To find out if stem cell therapy is right for you and to learn how Innovations Medical can improve your life, call us at (214) 643-8665 or schedule an appointment.