Research shows that certain aspects of the weather may be linked to severe bouts ofankylosing spondylitis.

Treatment and a healthy lifestyle may help offset the effects of these changes.

Knowing the way weather affects your illness can help you manage the disease.

Raindrops on a window looking out onto a bus stop

Christoph Hetzmannseder / Getty Images

Studies investigating the weather’s effect on arthritic symptoms have produced inconclusive results.

The impact of specific weather-related AS triggers can vary by person.

Why certain factors affect some people with arthritic conditions more than others is unclear.

It may depend on the fact that some people are more weather-sensitive, regardless of their disease state.

Cold Weather

Many people complain that their chronic pain increases during cold weather.

Scientists don’t know why cold weatheror any other weather-related factoraffects some people more than others.

Research indicates that the relationship between arthritis and cold weather is more than anecdotal.

Most participants had some form of arthritis.

The results showed that higher-pain days were more likely to occur when there was higher humidity.

Wind

Temperatures aren’t the only factors that can impact the way you feel.

Like other types of arthritis, it can cause flare-ups that involve spells of more severe pain.

These flares can last for days to weeks.

It can also help you maintain control of your life by planning these events.

During flare-ups, these symptoms may cause pain that is characterized as stabbing or cramp-like.

Pain can occur in one more or be generalized to affect other joints in your body.

Flare-ups exist for a limited amount of time, ranging from days to weeks.

Do your best to avoid stress and physical overexertion, which can worsen your current condition.

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