Many people who suffer from migraine headaches, arthritis, joint issues and other chronic pain conditions sometimes experience what often is referred to as weather pains. A common complaint of some pain patients is that their pain symptoms increase as rainy weather approaches. Many patients also report that they continue to have pain flares throughout a rainy day, humid day or during other bouts of extreme weather. As of 2011, research still is being done to prove whether weather can make pain worse and, if so, how; meanwhile, weather pains remain a common discussion topic among pain suffers.
One theory concerning weather pains focuses on barometric pressure. When patients keep pain journals, some researchers have seen patterns of pain levels in patients rising as barometric pressure drops. Changes in barometric pressure can impact a person's body. Depending on the medical condition from which a person suffers, inflammation and swelling in the body can increase during periods of low barometric pressure.
Humid weather also is said to be a pain trigger for some patients. It is important for pain patients to stay well hydrated on humid days. Body tissue can expand in humid weather, especially in people who already suffer from joint pain or arthritis. Drinking plenty of water can help to fight this process.
Some pain patients also report to their doctors that their pain gets worse during cold weather. It is recommended that patients attempt to perform light exercise a couple of times a week, even during the winter. It can be easy for a person to lose the motivation to work out on cold days, but exercise in moderation can help to fight cold weather pain symptoms. Weather-related pain sufferers who believe the cold is increasing their symptoms also can try to use home remedies such as heating pads and hot tea for relief.
Weather pains plague many people who are unconcerned about scientists cracking the code linking weather and pain. Many people who suffer from weather pains already are convinced that weather and pain are directly connected, because they know how their bodies feel as a rain storm or cold front heads in. If a person experiences excessive pain symptoms each time the weather changes, then he or she should not be afraid to speak to his or her doctor. A doctor may be able to prescribe a patient break-through pain medication or provide other advice on measures to take on days when pain increases.