As a rule, healthy people do not feel changes in their body when the weather worsens. If during wet weather or a sharp drop in temperature, you feel pain in the joints, then your body signals a problem that you should pay attention to in time.
The joints include the articular bag, which is the surface of the bones that is penetrated by nerve endings. Sudden changes in atmospheric pressure affect the pressure in the joint cavity, which is why it becomes irritated. This is accompanied by characteristic pain.
More specifically, restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder that manifests itself in the form of discomfort in the area from the knee to the foot. People who suffer from this disease describe their sensations in different ways, for example, as if electrical impulses penetrate the legs, sensations of burning, trembling, and tingling. The problem becomes most intense when the limbs are at rest, which is why symptoms most often appear at night.
There can be no causeless pain. If you feel knee pain when the weather changes, this only means that the body is signaling the onset of the disease.
What Diseases Can Cause Joint Pain When the Weather Changes?
If you feel discomfort in your leg joints regularly, and the symptoms increase over time, this indicates the possible presence of diseases such as arthritis, arthrosis, the presence of blood clots, and problems with blood vessels.
What to Do and Which Doctor to Contact?
First, it is necessary to adjust the lifestyle, namely, pay attention to the following factors:
– Moderately long night sleep;
– Complete nutrition, which excludes overeating and junk food;
– Smoking, drinking alcohol, and drinking a lot of coffee throughout the day should be avoided.
If pain appeared after an injury, shock or overexertion, then you should contact a traumatologist.
If the pain occurs, from your point of view, for no reason, then you need to contact a rheumatologist. Be sure to examine the knee joints if they disturb you when the weather conditions change. It is very likely that in the early stages of the development of arthritis or arthrosis, this discomfort is the primary symptom. Don’t delay it in hopes that everything will pass after the weather improves, because in the initial stages of the disease, it is easier to treat, and there are fewer risks of complications. For example, a consequence of rheumatism, oddly enough at first glance, is heart disease.
What Is the Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome?
Treatment must begin by identifying the cause. First, it is necessary to exclude the possible pathology of the muscular apparatus, trauma, and sprain. When collecting anamnesis, the doctor pays attention to concomitant diseases of blood vessels and blood – anemia, atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Legs can hurt at night with diseases of the joints – arthritis, arthrosis, gout, or injuries. However, if there are no listed pathologies and the cause of the problem is excessive physical or mental stress, then you can get rid of unpleasant sensations on your own.
There are a number of recommendations, the observance of which can significantly alleviate the symptoms:
– Avoiding products containing caffeine;
– Taking a warm foot bath or a warming massage before going to bed;
– Limiting your alcohol intake;
– Vibration massage;
– Magnetotherapy;
– Reflexology.
A calcium diet and massage before bedtime will help with cramps. If the cause of RLS is degenerative spine disease, then you will be prescribed physical therapy. Special stockings, special gymnastics, and ointments will help to cope with varicose veins. Still, arthritis with atherosclerosis requires serious treatment by a doctor and appointments, depending on the severity of the disease.