Does cold water help with arthritis?
Ice baths and cold therapy have become popular in recent years – often touted for their benefits in aiding exercise recovery, boosting mood and supporting immunity. Experts agree that cold therapy can indeed be an effective way to manage pain if you are living with arthritis. Some people living with arthritis report that their symptoms, such as stiffness and joint pain, gets worse in winter. But everyone’s experience is different. Some people say their pain levels increase when the weather is cold and damp, while other might experience the opposite.No case of arthritis is the same. The sun may trigger symptoms for one person but relieve them for another. While warmer weather can reduce joint pain, people with arthritis can experience more pain and fatigue in the warmer months because many are more active and prone to overdoing it.The cold weather may make your arthritis or joint pain feel worse, but there are some things you can do that can help. Dress warmly: Layer clothing to stay warm and reduce exposure to the cold. Choose coats with Velcro or large zippers to make it easier to get on and off.Arthritic joints feel better and are able to function better when there is less swelling and pain. Cold decreases swelling through vasoconstriction: shrinking of the blood vessels. When blood vessels are constricted, blood flow is decreased and the release of histamine is blocked.Just as the effects of weather vary, the best climate may not be the same for all people. But based on research, it appears that for most people with arthritis, a warmer, drier climate may be optimal, such as that in parts of Texas, Arizona, Nevada and the Eastern Sierra region of California.
Is cold sea swimming good for arthritis?
But the research is thin and remains anecdotal. Cold-water swimmers say they experience fewer infections, the easing of sore muscles and arthritic pain; some swimmers suffering from anxiety and depression have reported recovering to the extent that they can stop using medication. Cold Water Immersion can trigger involuntary gasping, rapid breathing or hyperventilating due to the “shock” of sudden immersion. This uncontrolled rapid breathing can quickly create a drowning emergency if you inhale water and cannot stay afloat. Cold water can cause a sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure.Enter the water slowly, giving your body at least 30 seconds to acclimatise after the initial cold shock response before swimming or putting your face near the water. Don’t swim in colder water for longer than 10 minutes, and avoid using how you feel as a guide — cold incapacitation can occur with little warning.Cold shock response: Sudden immersion in water under 60 degrees can shock your body and lead to symptoms like rapidly increased breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. This can increase your risk of drowning if you’re in deep water. The effect can also strain the heart.While more research is needed into the effects of cold water on the body, we do know it can lead to hypothermia and raise our stress hormone levels, increasing the risk of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and possibly even cardiac arrest.Cold water swimming can lower your body temperature, leading to hypothermia. This is a serious condition where your core temperature drops below 35°C and affects your vital organs. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech.
Which water is best for arthritis?
When you have arthritis or gout, it’s important to stay hydrated, and drinking enough water is the best way to do that. Lemon water can be a healthier alternative to sodas or sugary beverages and it also has specific benefits for arthritis. For people who already have arthritis, vitamin C may reduce pain. Lemon Water: Lemons are a natural source of vitamin C, which studies suggest might help lower uric acid levels and reduce gout attacks. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a glass of lukewarm water and enjoy it first thing in the morning or throughout the day.Numerous scientific studies suggest that lemon juice may help to lower uric acid levels in people with gout. Lemons are also low in fructose, which may raise uric acid. As a result, lemon juice is a suitable addition to a gout-friendly diet. People can use it in many ways, from lemon water to salad dressings and soups.Orange, tomato, pineapple, and carrot juices are all high in the antioxidant, vitamin C, which can neutralize free radicals that lead to inflammation. Tart cherry juice has been shown to protect against gout flares and reduce OA symptoms.
What is better for arthritis, hot or cold?
Heat can relax muscles and help lubricate joints. Heat therapy may be used to relieve muscle and joint stiffness, help warm up joints before activity, or ease a muscle spasm. Cold can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain related to arthritis and activity. It is also recommended to treat many acute injuries. Studies have shown that cold therapy is an effective treatment for the pain and swelling associated with arthritis. Not only that, but it’s safe and typically well-tolerated for alleviating joint pain, with many people applying ice packs to stiff joints daily.Experts agree that cold therapy can indeed be an effective way to manage pain if you are living with arthritis. To benefit from it, there’s no need to go to the extreme of immersing yourself in an ice bath or spending a lot of time or money; even moderate forms of cold therapy at home can make a difference.Heat and cold therapy. Applying heating pads, taking hot baths or showers, or using warm paraffin wax can temporarily relieve join pain. Be careful not to burn yourself. Limit heating pad use to 20 minutes at a time. Ice packs can help lessen pain and inflammation, especially after physical activity.Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and applied to the affected area can be very effective in reducing pain.Heat can relax muscles and help lubricate joints. Heat therapy may be used to relieve muscle and joint stiffness, help warm up joints before activity, or ease a muscle spasm. Cold can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain related to arthritis and activity.
What is the best swimming for arthritis?
Go to the deep end. The more submerged your body is, the lighter the load on your joints. If you have arthritis in your shoulders or spine, keeping your upper body under water increases the fitness benefits, helping burn more calories while improving your mobility and range of motion. Use these strategies for a successful arthritis walking program whether you’re just starting or trying to stick to a routine. For people of any age with arthritis, walking is especially good medicine. It strengthens muscles, which helps shift pressure from joints and reduce pain.Walking as a form of exercise has enormous benefits, particularly for older adults. It’s easy on the joints and helps boost heart health and improve circulation and balance. And new research now suggests that taking a walk can reduce and prevent knee pain related to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis.If you have arthritis, swimming is a great way to exercise; with the water supporting your weight you’ll find you can move much more easily. The movements that you perform when swimming are great for building strength in your knees. Swimming will also get your blood flowing more which will help stiff muscles.If you have arthritis, cycling can be a great way to exercise. Unlike high-impact exercises such as running, cycling puts very little stress on your joints, and can be beneficial in improving your range of movement.