Wet season

Rainy weather brings joint pain for some elders among us

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• published: 07 Jul 2016
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습한 장마철 관절 통증 악화.., There has been a debate for decades about whether there is some type of a connection between weather changes and joint pain. Some scientists express doubts, but our elders, who often experience chronic aches in the rainy season, beg to differ. Lee Unshin has the full story. The monsoon season has brought a wave of showers that, with the effects of climate change, seem to get more unpredictable by the year. And yet, growing up, our grandparents somehow always had an idea about when it was going to rain. Ever wondered how they could tell? "Research has shown the link between joint pain and the weather, with rain more likely to affect your pain. In fact, people who suffer from arthritis claim that sometimes they can tell a storm is looming in advance." "My body can almost always predict weather changes. Aches start to kick in a couple days before the rain. I live in Galveston, Texas, where its extremely humid from the surrounding ocean, and the joint cramps are far worse when I'm there, compared to when I'm in Seoul." While the studies haven't been entirely conclusive, a majority of doctors believes the correlation between weather changes and pain is more than plausible. The knees, elbows and fingers -- joints that go through a lot of wear and tear -- seem to be particularly sensitive. Bones and joints weakened by old age or injury are also reportedly more sensitive to the weather. "When the humidity is high and the air pressure is low, it makes the joints swell a bit, which could cause pain. The best thing to do to if you suffer from chronic aches like these... is to avoid intense physical activity and take pain medication in advance." For people with less prognostic joints, there is a handy smartphone app that offers barometric pressure readings, so people can track potential changes that will affect how they feel. However, doctors add that because not everyone with arthritic pain... experiences weather-related aches... people should consult a physician when considering medication. They also say that further studies are required to confirm the link between joint pain and the weather. Lee Un-shin, Arirang News. Visit ‘Arirang News’ Official Pages Facebook(NEWS): http://www.facebook.com/newsarirang Homepage: http://www.arirang.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/arirangtv Twitter: http://twitter.com/arirangworld Instagram: http://instagram.com/arirangworld