The change of seasons is a time when outdoor temperatures fluctuate much more dramatically from one day to the next or between day time and night time. Many of us with autoimmune disease seem to experience increased aches and pains during this period of seasonal change.  

The triggers are many - barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation - and our response to them is highly variable. Below are some typical responses to both hot and cold weather:

I can personally get paralyzed by humidity. When I lived in Dubai, high levels of humidity would often render me so immobile that all I could do was waddle from my bed to the shower, stand underneath the hot water for 5 - 10 minutes and then waddle back to bed. I would repeat that several times during the day until the grace of God would befall me and some joints would start moving.

Why is it that changes in weather cause pain?

No one is entirely sure and there is not much science to support all the anecdotal evidence. A famous study conducted in the 60s found humidity and barometric pressure to be the biggest culprits when it comes to swelling and stiffness in patients with RA. The theory goes that a decrease in the air pressure can cause already inflamed tissue around the joints to swell causing the pain. Studies involving MS patients have shown that warmer temperatures do not only increase MS activity, they can also worsen cognitive function, i.e., thinking, learning and memory.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, both RA and MS are wind, damp conditions; as such overexposure to wind and dampness in the external environment can exacerbate the symptoms.

Regardless of the explanation, the increased pain can be very disruptive. So, how do you manage the impact of weather changes on your symptoms? 

Here are some tips that could ease the pain...and save you the cost of an extended vacation to Arizona:

1. Take short hot water showers / baths on very cold or very humid days. The heat enables the joints to loosen 
   • Warning for patients with MS - heat or a slight increase in body temperature - anything from a ¼ to ½ degree impairs the ability of a demyelinated nerve (nerve in which the myelin covering is destroyed by MS) to conduct electrical impulses. So even though a hot bath may ease numbness, be careful that the rise in body temperature does not worsen or cause other symptoms to appear such as blurred vision. So when cold, it's best to wear an extra layer or two. Don't overheat your house and don't let yourself get overheated when exercising
2. On hot days, moderate cooling is best. For example, take moderately cool baths, and use only moderate air conditioning. Try not to crank up the air conditioning so that the temperature inside is 20 - 30 degrees higher than outside. This also applies to you if you have RA
3. Relax your body as much as possible and find ways to reduce stress, including stressing out about an oncoming flare. For example, I roll up a blanket  and place it underneath my knees when I sleep
4. Stretch regularly to loosen up tight muscles. A foam roller and some gentle yoga are great ways to stretch. Don't forget to stretch in bed before you get up
5. Supplement with Vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels increase risk of muscle pain, joint swelling and the flu! Great food sources of Vitamin D are leafy green vegetables
6. Maintain a healthy diet - Adding Omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, flaxseeds, chia seeds and walnuts can help reduce pain and inflammation

• Season changes can weaken the immune system and many physicians will recommend that you take the flu shot if you have RA or MS
• Should you get the flu shot?
• If you can't have the flu shot, what else can you do to prevent the flu?
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