If you’re one of the over 18 million people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), any change in the weather is all that is needed to experience a painful flare-up. The weather in Houston and its surrounding area is usually comfortable, which allows you to manage your symptoms. But when the hottest days of summer arrive, it sends this chronic condition into overdrive, leaving you in severe discomfort and pain.
Why Does Hot Weather Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare-Ups?
While there may not be one direct cause of RA flare-ups, several factors can combine to make your condition worse.
Humidity
There’s a reason people say, “It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity.” In Houston, it’s both. With the area’s subtropical climate, the humidity starts at 90% in the morning before dropping to 60% in the afternoon. Those hot and humid conditions can cause sweating, and dehydration can decrease the fluid levels in your body, including the fluids that lubricate your joints, leading to increased joint pain.
Increased Inflammation
Inflammation is a core symptom of RA, and heat tends to exacerbate it. Your inflammatory response can be more pronounced in hot weather, increasing the severity of your symptoms.
Heat edema
When the weather is hot, the body’s blood vessels expand. This increases blood flow and allows some fluid to leak into the surrounding tissues. Due to gravitational pull, the fluid settles into your hands and feet, causing them to swell. The swelling is even worse if you have high salt levels in your body. It can cause discomfort, making walking or grasping anything almost impossible.
Barometric Pressure Changes
This isn’t directly related to the heat, but we’ve discussed before how changes in barometric pressure can increase joint pain for people with autoimmune disorders.
If you find yourself in chronic pain during hot weather, there are some things you can do to manage RA flare-ups:
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water to maintain fluid levels in your body.
- Avoid being outside during the hottest parts of the day.
- Engage in low-impact exercises such as swimming or yoga inside an air-conditioned room.
- Use air conditioning, fans, or cool showers to decrease your body temperature.
People living in and around Houston know that with hot, humid weather comes the risk of hurricanes and the possibility of power outages. Keeping your body temperature down becomes more difficult without air conditioning and a freezer full of ice. Here are some suggestions:
- Try to go to a nearby cooling center.
- Have battery-operated fans and plenty of batteries, and run them behind wet curtains or towels.
- Wear wet bandanas or washcloths around your neck and head.
We Can Help Manage Your Hot Weather Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare-Ups
At Advanced Rheumatology of Houston, we take a proactive approach to managing RA flare-ups. Everyone is different, so we do thorough diagnostic testing and create a treatment plan specifically designed for you. There is no need for you to spend your summer living with chronic pain. Contact us to schedule an appointment by calling (281) 766-7886 and start enjoying a better quality of life.
