Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnkylosing Spondylitis and WeatherWeather-Related AS TriggersCopingFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ankylosing Spondylitis and Weather
Weather-Related AS Triggers
Coping
Frequently Asked Questions
Research shows that certain aspects of the weather may be linked to severe bouts ofankylosing spondylitis.
Factors such as cold weather, humidity, high heat, and wind may act as triggers that change or even worsen symptoms. 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.
This article describes how some aspects of the weather can affect ankylosing spondylitis and what you can do to cope with these types of triggers.
Christoph Hetzmannseder / Getty Images
People with arthritic conditions like ankylosing spondylitis often claim that their symptoms react to changes in the weather. Though various studies report that arthritic joints become more painful when it’s cold and damp, others may report feeling worse when the temperatures are warm and dry.
Barometric Pressure and Arthritis
There is some evidence that changes in barometric pressure (a measure of the weight of the surrounding air) may impact arthritis symptoms in some people.
Below is how different weather factors can act as triggers for flare-ups for some people with ankylosing spondylitis and other types of arthritis.
Cold Weather
Many people complain that their chronic pain increases during cold weather. Scientists don’t know why cold weather—or any other weather-related factor—affects some people more than others.
Research indicates that the relationship between arthritis and cold weather is more than anecdotal.
A 2015 study in theJournal of Rheumatology,called the European Project on OSteoArthritis (EPOSA), examined the effect of weather conditions on joint pain in older people withosteoarthritis. Though 67% of participants reported that weather affected their pain, 30% of these weather-sensitive participants said they were only sensitive to cold weather. Of note:
Researchers concluded that there was a significant impact between daily average humidity and temperature on joint pain, with the effects of humidity on pain more significant in colder weather. Possible causes for this include:
Does Cold Weather Affect Arthritis?
Humidity
The results of several studies point to humidity as a factor in triggering flare-ups in ankylosing spondylitis and other types of arthritis.
In a 2021 review of ankylosing spondylitis patient visits to a general hospital in China, researchers found a link between high humidity and an increase in the number of ankylosing spondylitis patients visiting the hospital.
These support the findings of earlier research that report a link between humidity and arthritis symptoms:
However, the link between humidity and arthritic conditions is inconclusive. Research from a 2017 study of 11 million older Americans found no statistically relevant relationship between joint pain and rainy weather.
Best Climate for Arthritis
High Heat
Though it’s more common for people to complain about the effect of cold, damp weather on ankylosing spondylitis and other forms of arthritis, high heat can make the condition worse for some.
In the 2015 EPOSA study of joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis, 5% of weather-sensitive participants reported sensitivity to hot weather. Researchers proposed that the expansion and contraction that occurs with temperature changes may affect tissues in the affected joints, triggering pain.
A 2020 study of 117 patients with rheumatoid arthritis reported that the effect of extreme temperatures in the summer and winter was significant. Researchers proposed that they could attribute the increase in disease activity during the summer to the frequent tissue swelling that occurs with warmer temperatures.
Can the Weather Affect Ankylosing Spondylitis?
Wind
Temperatures aren’t the only factors that can impact the way you feel. There is evidence of the influence of high wind on symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis and other types of rheumatic conditions.
Researchers in the 2019 study from the University of Manchester reported that stronger winds ranked third after higher humidity and lower pressure and significantly effected increased pain among the participants. The results point to a humid and windy day with low pressure as the type of weather most likely to lead to the most pain.
How to Cope With Weather-Related Flare-Ups
Recognizing that certain conditions can lead to weather-related flare-ups can help you prepare to manage your pain. Depending on the type of triggers that you experience, consider these steps to manage your condition:
Other than planning for specific weather events, coping with weather-related flare-ups doesn’t differ much from how you handle any type of ankylosis spondylitis flare-up, regardless of its origin.
The following strategies are usually advisable when dealing with flare-ups:
Summary
Ankylosing spondylitis causes chronic pain and stiffness in your joints. 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.
Though the cause of this illness and its flare-ups are unknown, many people have more severe pain that aligns with certain weather events. Research confirms that the disease may be more active in some people during certain types of weather, but the impact can vary for each person and type of event.
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups include pain in thelower back,pelvis, andhipsthat is more intense than the level of discomfort that these problems typically present. 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.Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis flare-ups include pain in thelower back,pelvis, andhipsthat is more intense than the level of discomfort that these problems typically present. 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.
Learn MoreSymptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
Because there are no cures for ankylosing spondylitis, treatments can only succeed in reducing symptoms, not providing a cure. When a patient stops taking medication, allows for too much time between doses, or the drug loses its efficacy, flare-ups are common. Other flare-ups are often attributed to random changes in disease activity or periods in which patients undergo emotional stress or overexert their physical abilities.Learn MoreLiving Well With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Because there are no cures for ankylosing spondylitis, treatments can only succeed in reducing symptoms, not providing a cure. When a patient stops taking medication, allows for too much time between doses, or the drug loses its efficacy, flare-ups are common. Other flare-ups are often attributed to random changes in disease activity or periods in which patients undergo emotional stress or overexert their physical abilities.
Learn MoreLiving Well With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Learn MoreHow to Prevent an Arthritis Flare
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Xin L, Liu J, Zhu Y, et al.Exposure-lag-response associations between weather conditions and ankylosing spondylitis: a time series study.BMC Musculoskelet Disord22, 641 (2021). doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04523-yHarvard Health Publishing.Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?Dorleijn DMJ, Luijsterburg PAJ, Burdorf A, et al.Associations between weather conditions and clinical symptoms in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a 2-year cohort study.Pain. 2014 Apr;155(4):808-813. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2014.01.018Arthritis Foundation.Weather and arthritis pain.Smedslund G, Hagen KB.Does rain really cause pain? A systematic review of the associations between weather factors and severity of pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.Eur J Pain. 2011 Jan;15(1):5-10. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.05.003Timmermans EJ, Schaap LA, Herbolsheimer F, et al; EPOSA Research Group.The influence of weather conditions on joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis.J Rheumatol. 2015 Oct;42(10):1885-92. doi:10.3899/jrheum.141594Dixon WG, Beukenhorst AL, Yimer BB, et al.How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app.npj Digit. Med.2, 105 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0180-3Savage EM, McCormick D, McDonald S, et al.Does rheumatoid arthritis disease activity correlate with weather conditions?Rheumatol Int. 2015 May;35(5):887-90. doi: 10.1007/s00296-014-3161-5Jena AB, Olenski AR, Molitor D, Miller N.Association between rainfall and diagnoses of joint or back pain: retrospective claims analysis.BMJ. 2017;359. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5326Azzouzi H, Ichchou L.Seasonal and weather effects on rheumatoid arthritis: myth or reality?Pain Research and Management. 2020;2020:e5763080. doi:10.1155/2020/5763080Spondylitis Association of America.Examining flares in spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Coping with an arthritis flare.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Xin L, Liu J, Zhu Y, et al.Exposure-lag-response associations between weather conditions and ankylosing spondylitis: a time series study.BMC Musculoskelet Disord22, 641 (2021). doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04523-yHarvard Health Publishing.Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?Dorleijn DMJ, Luijsterburg PAJ, Burdorf A, et al.Associations between weather conditions and clinical symptoms in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a 2-year cohort study.Pain. 2014 Apr;155(4):808-813. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2014.01.018Arthritis Foundation.Weather and arthritis pain.Smedslund G, Hagen KB.Does rain really cause pain? A systematic review of the associations between weather factors and severity of pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.Eur J Pain. 2011 Jan;15(1):5-10. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.05.003Timmermans EJ, Schaap LA, Herbolsheimer F, et al; EPOSA Research Group.The influence of weather conditions on joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis.J Rheumatol. 2015 Oct;42(10):1885-92. doi:10.3899/jrheum.141594Dixon WG, Beukenhorst AL, Yimer BB, et al.How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app.npj Digit. Med.2, 105 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0180-3Savage EM, McCormick D, McDonald S, et al.Does rheumatoid arthritis disease activity correlate with weather conditions?Rheumatol Int. 2015 May;35(5):887-90. doi: 10.1007/s00296-014-3161-5Jena AB, Olenski AR, Molitor D, Miller N.Association between rainfall and diagnoses of joint or back pain: retrospective claims analysis.BMJ. 2017;359. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5326Azzouzi H, Ichchou L.Seasonal and weather effects on rheumatoid arthritis: myth or reality?Pain Research and Management. 2020;2020:e5763080. doi:10.1155/2020/5763080Spondylitis Association of America.Examining flares in spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Coping with an arthritis flare.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Xin L, Liu J, Zhu Y, et al.Exposure-lag-response associations between weather conditions and ankylosing spondylitis: a time series study.BMC Musculoskelet Disord22, 641 (2021). doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04523-yHarvard Health Publishing.Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?Dorleijn DMJ, Luijsterburg PAJ, Burdorf A, et al.Associations between weather conditions and clinical symptoms in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a 2-year cohort study.Pain. 2014 Apr;155(4):808-813. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2014.01.018Arthritis Foundation.Weather and arthritis pain.Smedslund G, Hagen KB.Does rain really cause pain? A systematic review of the associations between weather factors and severity of pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.Eur J Pain. 2011 Jan;15(1):5-10. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.05.003Timmermans EJ, Schaap LA, Herbolsheimer F, et al; EPOSA Research Group.The influence of weather conditions on joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis.J Rheumatol. 2015 Oct;42(10):1885-92. doi:10.3899/jrheum.141594Dixon WG, Beukenhorst AL, Yimer BB, et al.How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app.npj Digit. Med.2, 105 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0180-3Savage EM, McCormick D, McDonald S, et al.Does rheumatoid arthritis disease activity correlate with weather conditions?Rheumatol Int. 2015 May;35(5):887-90. doi: 10.1007/s00296-014-3161-5Jena AB, Olenski AR, Molitor D, Miller N.Association between rainfall and diagnoses of joint or back pain: retrospective claims analysis.BMJ. 2017;359. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5326Azzouzi H, Ichchou L.Seasonal and weather effects on rheumatoid arthritis: myth or reality?Pain Research and Management. 2020;2020:e5763080. doi:10.1155/2020/5763080Spondylitis Association of America.Examining flares in spondyloarthritis.Arthritis Foundation.Coping with an arthritis flare.
Xin L, Liu J, Zhu Y, et al.Exposure-lag-response associations between weather conditions and ankylosing spondylitis: a time series study.BMC Musculoskelet Disord22, 641 (2021). doi:10.1186/s12891-021-04523-y
Harvard Health Publishing.Can the weather really worsen arthritis pain?
Dorleijn DMJ, Luijsterburg PAJ, Burdorf A, et al.Associations between weather conditions and clinical symptoms in patients with hip osteoarthritis: a 2-year cohort study.Pain. 2014 Apr;155(4):808-813. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2014.01.018
Arthritis Foundation.Weather and arthritis pain.
Smedslund G, Hagen KB.Does rain really cause pain? A systematic review of the associations between weather factors and severity of pain in people with rheumatoid arthritis.Eur J Pain. 2011 Jan;15(1):5-10. doi:10.1016/j.ejpain.2010.05.003
Timmermans EJ, Schaap LA, Herbolsheimer F, et al; EPOSA Research Group.The influence of weather conditions on joint pain in older people with osteoarthritis: results from the European Project on OSteoArthritis.J Rheumatol. 2015 Oct;42(10):1885-92. doi:10.3899/jrheum.141594
Dixon WG, Beukenhorst AL, Yimer BB, et al.How the weather affects the pain of citizen scientists using a smartphone app.npj Digit. Med.2, 105 (2019). doi:10.1038/s41746-019-0180-3
Savage EM, McCormick D, McDonald S, et al.Does rheumatoid arthritis disease activity correlate with weather conditions?Rheumatol Int. 2015 May;35(5):887-90. doi: 10.1007/s00296-014-3161-5
Jena AB, Olenski AR, Molitor D, Miller N.Association between rainfall and diagnoses of joint or back pain: retrospective claims analysis.BMJ. 2017;359. doi:10.1136/bmj.j5326
Azzouzi H, Ichchou L.Seasonal and weather effects on rheumatoid arthritis: myth or reality?Pain Research and Management. 2020;2020:e5763080. doi:10.1155/2020/5763080
Spondylitis Association of America.Examining flares in spondyloarthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.Coping with an arthritis flare.
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