Summer Tips for People With Arthritis

Your arthritis responds to the weather, both in winter and in summer. If summertime flare-ups threaten to derail your plans, what should you do to keep your arthritis managed and under control?

At the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, located in Tomball, Kingwood, and Conroe, Texas, Dr. Michael Blackwell treats new and existing patients who are living with arthritis. Dr. Blackwell specializes in both hand and wrist and foot and ankle joint care.

In this article, he offers tips on getting through the summer season with minimal disruption from swelling, pain, and other arthritis symptoms.

Tip #1: Understand your triggers

When you know more about what tends to trigger your arthritis attacks, you can prepare ahead, reducing the negative impacts of flare-ups. Does your arthritis get worse when the weather changes? So you notice that humidity or the temperature affects your symptoms and overall physical condition? If so, you’re not alone.

Tip #2: Maintain a healthy level of physical activity

While the weather can impact your arthritis, your baseline activity levels are a better predictor of whether or not you’ll have a flare-up. The summer months, with warmer temperatures and nicer weather, provide a great opportunity to move more and keep your body weight in a healthy range.

However, take care to avoid injuries like falls or ankle sprains, and increase athletic pressure on your joints and cardiovascular system gradually over time. Low-impact activities like swimming or bicycling are less likely to trigger symptoms than higher-impact running, jogging, or contact sports.

Tip #3: Stay well-hydrated

Here’s a question to consider: is your arthritis worse in summer because of the weather, or because of the increased dehydration risk that comes with sweating more often? Being well-hydrated helps your body to manage pain and keep joints well-lubricated. If you’re not drinking enough water to make up for summertime sweating, you might be increasing your risk of arthritis pain.

Tip #4: Manage your sun and heat exposure

Both heat and excess UV exposure can trigger inflammation, setting you up for a flare-up. To beat the heat, don’t spend too much time in the direct sun, and use cooling strategies like cool showers or a cool, damp cloth on the back of your neck.

Tip #5: Focus on high-quality rest, day and night 

It can be difficult to sleep during hot summer nights, but it’s important you receive 7-9 hours of high-quality sleep. Find ways to cool down your sleeping area, like air conditioning or some strategically-positioned fans. Darken your room for sleep, and maintain a regular sleep schedule as much as possible.

It’s also important to prioritize rest during the long summer days. Avoid over-exertion, and don’t push yourself past your limits. Feeling well is worth taking your time.

Tip #6: Switch to an anti-inflammatory diet

Foods like processed grains and sugars increase the levels of inflammation in your body, which can become a problem if you’re living with arthritis. This summer, try switching to a Mediterranean-style anti-inflammatory diet, with plenty of fish, lean protein, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Enjoy in-season produce and reap the benefits of improved health and wellness.

Tip #7: Learn more about medication management

Are you relying on over-the-counter pain medication to manage your arthritis symptoms? You may benefit from prescription anti-inflammatory medication, or from pain injections, available to you through the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. The right medication management plan can make all the difference in your symptoms.

To consult with Dr. Blackwell about your arthritis treatment options, contact the Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine online or over the phone today and schedule your appointment.