As temperatures drop, many people with arthritis report increased pain and stiffness, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
While cold weather doesn’t directly cause arthritis, it can trigger inflammatory flare-ups and intensify existing joint pain.
Studies show that lower temperatures significantly affect patients with osteoarthritis — the most common form of arthritis — as well as those with rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks the joint lining.
Conversely, conditions such as gout and lupus may worsen in hot weather.
Experts believe several factors contribute to this phenomenon. Cold and rainy days often lead people to stay indoors and move less, which increases stiffness and discomfort. Reduced sunlight exposure can also affect mood, making individuals more sensitive to pain.
According to Dr. Mariko Ishimori, director of rheumatology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, cold weather causes the synovial fluid inside joints to thicken, which makes movement stiffer and more painful. In addition, barometric pressure changes can cause muscles and tendons to expand, putting extra strain on already inflamed joints.
