CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Did you have any aches or pains that re-surfaced with all the rain and cold temperatures in the Carolinas? Well, there might be a scientific reason for that.
Have you ever heard of weather-related joint pains? It’s something people are talking about on social media. It’s believed that changes in barometric pressure can trigger certain sensations in your joints.
OUR SOURCES
Last weekend, the Carolinas were hit by a massive area of low pressure and an accompanying storm, called a nor’easter. Panovich said it’s that low atmospheric pressure that can really bring the pain.
“So when there's high pressure, it's like having a mountain of air above your head," Panovich explained. "When there's low pressure, the atmosphere is actually thinner, so there's less air pushing on your body."
A Cleveland Clinic study on people who live with arthritis found that their aches increased on days with:
- Higher humidity
- Lower barometric pressure
- Stronger winds
But why is this?
“When the pressure goes down, those voids or fluids expand so it puts a little pressure on your joint and causes discomfort or pain," Panovich said.
And in the wintertime? Panovich said that’s when you feel it the most.
“You throw in the fact that it's cold outside and people tend to feel things a little more when it's chilly," he said.
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