Winter cold can contribute to the pain of arthritis

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Source: Nancy Gyurcsik, 785-532-0703, gyurcsik@k-state.edu
Pronounced GURR-SICK
News release prepared by: Angie Johnson, 785-532-6415

Tuesday, December 10, 2002

WINTER COLD CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PAIN OF ARTHRITIS

MANHATTAN -- It's not fun having achy bones and joints during the holiday season. That's why it is essential for people who have arthritis, and those who could potentially acquire the disease, to exercise and avoid becoming a couch potato during the winter months.

Arthritis refers to more than 100 different types of diseases involving joints of the body, surrounding tissue and other connecting tissue. In winter, people are least active, and that is when arthritis may tend to flare up, said Nancy Gyurcsik, an assistant professor of exercise and health psychology at Kansas State University.

"It's not only in the morning, but also when people sit around, that their joints get stiff," she said. "I would suggest using a heating pad when lounging around."

Over 43 million Americans, or one in six people, deal with the pain of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which affects 21 million Americans. This disease occurs when cartilage that lines and cushions the bones and absorbs shock, breaks down and the bones begin to hit each other.

"It can cause a person to be in so much pain that they can't even get out of bed," Gyurcsik said.

Certain controllable risk factors involved with arthritis include obesity, joint injuries and particular occupations. Gyurcsik said farmers are at a higher risk of getting arthritis because they perform heavy lifting and repetitive movements. Other uncontrollable risk factors include genetics and simply being an older adult or female.

"If it runs in your family, you too have a higher chance of getting it someday," Gyurcsik said.

Gyurcsik suggests controlling the disease by first visiting a doctor to get diagnosed with the specific type of arthritis and then taking medication for it. She said education, along with physical activity, can be beneficial to treating arthritis. Surgery, as a last resort, is also an option.