|Rheumatoid Arthritis||4%||Ruled out|
Does cold or cool, damp weather cause increased muscle, joint, or bone aches or pains?
Possible responses:→ Don't know
→ Yes, slight achiness, not a problem
→ Yes, very noticeable increased pain
→ Yes, severe, debilitating, intolerable pain
Cold, damp weather can worsen the pain at fibromyalgia tender points. Fibromyalgia produces a shortening and tightening of muscle fibers; cold weather also contracts muscles, making symptoms worse.
Like all arthritic conditions, osteoarthritis can react to weather changes: good weather can ease pain, and cold, damp weather can make it worse.
Cold, damp weather is well known for aggravating aching bones. Rheumatoid arthritis can flare up during winter months; what might be a dull ache during the summer can become a shooting pain during the winter.