Does a change in the weather make peoples joints ache?
Dear Cecil:Often I hear of people complaining about their bones or joints hurting when they think the weather is going to change. Is there any truth to this? Can people really tell when the weather is going to change, or is this just some psychological phenomenon that has people feeling ghost pains when they hear a cold front is coming in? — Ann R., McAllen, Texas Dear Ann: Medical opinion is divided on this question. The most commonly expressed views may be summarized as follows: Yes, people can tell when the weather is changing because their joints ache. No, they can’t. Some say yes, some say no. More research is needed. You talkin’ to me? But don’t be too critical. We’ve only had about 2,000 years to work on this (2,400 actually, Hippocrates having discussed the effect of weather on chronic diseases in 400 BC). One more big grant, and we’ll have it for sure. Many, perhaps most, people with arthritis and other chronic joint ailments say their symptoms are affected by the weather. The
