Cold weather makes joints 'protest', how to deal with it?

Experts recommend that the elderly maintain exercise to improve bone and joint pain - Illustration: NAM TRAN

The condition of bone and joint pain in cold weather makes patients miserable in daily life and work, thereby reducing the quality of life, and can even cause unwanted complications.

Mr. Nguyen Van Vui (54 years old, Hanoi) has suffered from knee osteoarthritis for more than 3 years. Every time the weather is erratic or the winter weather turns cold, his knee joints feel prickly and painful, very uncomfortable.

“The recurring pain makes it difficult to move, making me sometimes not want to stand up or walk. There are days when the pain is so bad that I am so tired that I don’t want to eat, and I can’t sleep at night,” Mr. Vui shared.

Musculoskeletal diseases are common in cold weather.

Doctor Nguyen Van Cuong - Acupuncture Department, Hung Yen Traditional Medicine Hospital said that in winter, the cold weather and high humidity create favorable conditions for the development of many diseases, especially musculoskeletal diseases. These diseases not only cause discomfort but also seriously affect the quality of life of the patient.

In cold weather, there is a feeling of increased pain and discomfort in the joints.

Some common diseases such as osteoarthritis , which is the degeneration of joint cartilage, often occur in the elderly. Cold weather increases symptoms of pain and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis , an autoimmune disease, tends to flare up in cold weather. People often feel pain and stiffness in their joints in the morning and when the weather turns cold.

Besides, winter is also the time when gout tends to increase due to diet, especially the consumption of foods containing purines.

Reasonable exercise is also a recommended way to prevent disease. In the photo: Nha Trang coastal road is cool in the early morning, suitable for physical exercise - Photo: TRAN HOAI

How to prevent disease?

According to Dr. Cuong, traditional medicine considers health to be a balance between the elements of yin and yang, blood and internal organs in the body. In winter, cold and humid weather can increase the coldness in the body, causing blood stagnation and leading to musculoskeletal problems.

Doctor Cuong suggests some specific disease prevention measures:

– Keep your body warm : Bathing in warm water with a few herbs such as ginger, lemongrass or pink salt helps stimulate blood circulation, warms the body and reduces joint pain.

Dress warmly, with a scarf and socks to keep cold-prone areas such as your hands, feet and neck warm.

– Diet: Eat warm, easy-to-digest foods such as ginger porridge, bone soup, and stews. These foods not only provide nutrition but also help keep the body warm.

Use herbs like ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and garlic in your diet. These herbs have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and immune-boosting properties.

Calcium and vitamin D supplements, calcium-rich foods such as shrimp, crab, fish, and milk can help maintain bone and joint health. Vitamin D from sunlight is also important, so a supplement plan is needed when there is a lack of natural light.

– Exercise properly: Gentle exercises such as yoga or tai chi not only help the body stay flexible but also create a feeling of relaxation. Traditional medicine encourages daily exercise to maintain blood circulation.

Walking every day, even in cold weather, can help strengthen your joints and reduce pain.

– Using traditional medical treatments such as acupuncture, this method helps stimulate acupressure points, increase blood circulation, reduce pain and improve joint function.

Acupressure massage: These therapies help relax muscles, reduce stress and increase blood circulation. You can do gentle massage at home or see a professional.

Using herbal medicine: Some traditional medicines such as mugwort and joint-relieving medicine can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation and improve joint health. You should consult a traditional medicine doctor for appropriate dosage.

Consult your doctor regularly: If you have a history of musculoskeletal problems, consult your doctor for timely advice.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/troi-lanh-la-xuong-khop-bieu-tinh-xu-tri-the-nao-20241209202441845.htm