PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — We’re into the dog days of winter — a month past Christmas, with no sign of spring in sight. While we haven’t seen heavy snow or long stretches of cold weather in the region, chilly days and cold nights can wreak havoc on our bodies, especially those among us with chronic pain issues.
“It definitely varies from person to person. Some people are really bothered by changes in weather, while other people aren’t,” KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough said in our weekly conversation.
HEAR MORE FROM DR. BRIAN MCDONOUGH
He said those pain issues tend to flare up usually during the transition to colder, damp weather conditions. It’s especially tough on people with chronic joint pain and issues such as arthritis, McDonough said.
Issues such as headaches can be exacerbated by cold weather, too, he added.
“Part of it is barometric pressure and that can make things worse,” he said. “Those pressure changes can do that.”
One of the solutions is a simple one.
“The key thing is to stay hydrated,” he said. “If you drink a lot of water, especially when the weather is changing — like it’s about to — that really helps.
“The second thing is to move around a bit,” he said. “It may seem counterintuitive, but actually moving around — and moving around indoors where it’s warmer — can be really helpful.