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Can you predict the weather with your achy joints? Does your hip remind you to take an umbrella when you leave the house? Maybe your back lets you know when it’s going to be windy and cold outside, and you trust it without even a glance at the forecast. Or maybe that impending headache tells you that it’s going to storm tomorrow – and sure enough, you’re right.
It’s a unique superpower that comes with age!
These strange yet accurate bodily warning signs of bad weather don’t just involve aching joints. It can also happen with migraines. When storms are rolling in, some who suffer from regular migraines might notice that their headaches happen more often or become much worse. And those who have heart problems might also have some additional discomfort during grey and rainy days.
But why do we suddenly become human barometers as the wind picks up and the clouds roll in? Turns out there are a few interesting reasons why seniors can predict the weather.
When Bad Weather Makes You Hurt All Over
As the atmospheric pressure drops, the aches and pains begin. The majority of those who have arthritis and fibromyalgia report increased pain in their joints and muscles as storms are coming, It isn’t a normal, everyday kind of ache; it’s a much more intense, deeper pain than what these individuals usually experience.
In fact, a survey from the University of Georgia found that a whopping 70% of people with chronic pain will alter their plans if storms are coming, as they know that their pain level will rise as the rain comes down.1
If you are dealing with any sort of pain, keeping a medical alert necklace close at hand is an excellent idea. If the pain becomes too much to handle or suddenly worsens, press the panic button to get the help you need right away, no matter the hour.
Did you know that weather changes affect even those who haven’t yet been diagnosed with any sort of chronic condition? In fact, feeling uncomfortable during stormy weather might be one of the first indications that something is wrong. The journal PLOS ONE found that when local weather was rainy and wet, the number of internet searches for pain symptoms rose in that area. Specifically, people seemed most interested in searching out what causes pain in the hip or knee.2
Even though it seems clear that storms lead to increased pain for seniors, some studies have found no clear link between barometric pressure and pain in the joints. That can be a quite frustrating outcome, as the anecdotal evidence is overwhelming.
Joint Pain and Stormy Weather
Many studies have found that well over 65% of patients will notice more joint pain as the weather changes. This might happen during specific times, such as during that change in barometric pressure as a storm rolls in. It can also be related to an increase in humidity or a decrease in temperature. That’s why joint pain not only affects you during the rainy summer months, but also during those winter snowstorms.
Anyone who has problems with inflammation might notice that the weather affects them. Those who have arthritis, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases might notice an increase in inflammation as the weather changes, and that leads to more pain.
But why does this happen?
There are several good theories, but one of them tends to rise to the top: it has to do with negative pressure. The spaces between our joints are small and confined, with slightly negative pressure. Any changes in the pressure of the surrounding environment can affect those negative-pressure spaces, causing them to expand or contract. This results in pain.
Keep in mind that this is just one theory, but scientists are working on finding out more so that appropriate treatments or therapies might be helpful one day.
How to Ease Joint Pain During Bad Weather
The forecast can help you plan out your days. If you know that it’s going to storm and you will feel the effects of that, take pain medication preemptively to help relieve the worst of the symptoms. Stay in a warm and dry place – this is why many seniors prefer to stay inside when it rains.
Make sure to stretch more often when it’s stormy outside. Moving your joints and stretching your muscles can help keep you limber and that can help you avoid discomfort. If your usual pain medications don’t work as well as they used to or you are feeling new types of pain, talk to your doctor.
Remember that when your joints hurt, you will probably move a bit more gingerly, but that could lead to an increased risk of falls. This is when a button alarm is a great idea. If you suffer a fall or other medical emergency, you can reach out for help with the simple touch of a button.
Migraines and Rain
Migraines can be debilitating. They can come with not only blinding pain, but also with nausea and vomiting, as well as severe sensitivity to light or sound. Though scientists aren’t sure what causes them, good theories include abnormal brain activity, as well as a genetic component that makes a person more likely to develop these headaches. But there’s little doubt that drops in barometric pressure are also related to the onset of symptoms.
A study in the journal Neurology investigated the incidence of migraine relating to the Chinook winds. These warm, high-speed winds are specific to the northwest U.S. and Canada. These westerly winds always correspond with a sharp drop in atmospheric pressure. The study found that 30 to 40% of migraine patients were more likely to have migraines as the winds were approaching or at their strongest.3
Some studies have found that atmospheric pressure changes can lead to an increase in activity in certain parts of the brain. They also found that the pressure can result in changes in the middle ear that boosts brain activity in the areas that control balance and coordination.
As pressure changes, it might also constrict blood vessels and change the blood flow in the brain just slightly, which can be enough to bring on a migraine or make an existing one worse.
How to Ease Weather-Driven Migraines
Begin your fight against weather-related migraines by keeping a journal. Make note every day of the weather, where you are, how you are feeling, and a pain rating on a scale of 0-10. Over time you will begin to see patterns.
Once you begin seeing the patterns, you can use the weather forecast as a valuable tool. While you should do your best to keep up regular eating and sleeping schedules, being in a routine becomes even more important as bad weather rolls in. Try to get extra sleep if you know a migraine will come.
If you have come to expect debilitating migraines, plan accordingly – for instance, perhaps you plan for a lighter workload on rainy days, or only run your errands when it’s sunny outside.
Stormy Weather Can Affect Your Heart
It isn’t just the headaches and the joint pain that rise in relation to humidity or barometric pressure. These things also have a strong effect on cardiovascular health.
Studies of those who hiked or traveled to higher altitudes found that the lower atmospheric pressure at those altitudes led to an increase in blood pressure, the thickness of the blood, and increased pressure on the pulmonary arteries, which can directly affect your breathing.
In addition to these studies, others have found that the number of deaths from heart attack and stroke rise during times of excessive heat or cold weather. Of the two, excessive cold is worse, leading to higher rates of death among seniors.
Blend the cold weather with barometric changes, such as when a winter storm is rolling in, and those who have cardiovascular disease might notice they feel much worse than usual. It might seem harder to breathe, your heart might beat faster as it tries to get oxygenated blood around the body, and you might notice some discomfort, especially in your chest.
How to Protect Your Heart from Weather-Related Discomfort
If you have any sort of cardiovascular problem, pay very close attention to the forecast. Do what it takes to stay warm when the cold weather comes. Be ready for storms and understand that they might make you feel worse for a day or two.
If you choose to travel to a higher altitude, be aware that the first few days will require some adjustment. Your body will eventually adjust to the new barometric pressure, but in the meantime, don’t push it.
For instance, if you are taking a trip to ski in the mountains, don’t plan on any strenuous physical activity for the first day, or perhaps even a few days after you arrive. This allows your body time to adjust so that your heart doesn’t have to work so hard.
If you notice that your body reacts in certain ways during bad weather, let your doctor know. There might be ways to alleviate your symptoms and make you feel better. In the meantime, senior alert systems are always there to help you stay safe. If you ever feel any sort of symptom that concerns you or feel as though you are facing a health crisis, press the button to get help fast. The trained professionals on the other end of the line will assess the situation, send you the assistance that’s appropriate for your situation, and stay on the line with you until help arrives. Alert1 provides excellent peace of mind no matter the weather.
