Many people believe that sudden changes in weather can cause bone or muscle pain. This happens when it’s suddenly sunny and it starts to rain, or when temperatures drop or rise a lot. Often, when some part of our body hurts, we blame the weather. But the truth is that science is not so clear.
Climate can influence some diseases, but not all
There is some research that has found that high temperatures and low humidity can increase the risk of an attack of gout, a form of arthritis. It has also been seen that hot weather can cause people with gout to have more uric acid in their bodies, making them more dehydrated. But this relationship between time and pain is not as evident in other chronic diseases that affect bones or muscles.
A team of researchers from the University of Sydney has reviewed several studies that have looked at the risk of musculoskeletal disease according to changing weather factors such as temperature, humidity, air pressure and rainfall.
The most common pains do not depend on time
“Many think that musculoskeletal symptoms such as hip pain, back pain or arthritis become stronger depending on the weather,” says Manuela Ferreira, the leader of the study, who says that her research “questions this idea”. “Shine or rain, the weather does not have a direct relationship with most of our pains and discomforts,” says the professor at the University of Sydney.
What are the pains that can be related to the weather? The study says knee and hip osteoarthritis are the most common, followed by low back pain and rheumatoid arthritis. But changes in temperature, humidity, pressure and rain do not appear to increase the risk of knee, hip or back pain.
You don’t need to worry about the time, but about the treatment
Australian researchers say the study “debunks” the medical myth about time and bone or muscle pain. In addition, they recommend both professionals and patients not to focus on the weather when dealing with the problem: “You need to focus on how to manage the problem, such as controlling your weight or exercising, and not on the time”, they conclude.
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