Ailsa Bosworth MBE
founder of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society
Research tells us there’s a connection between weather and increased pain, so the winter season is especially hard for people living with rheumatoid arthritis.
It’s fair to say that nearly half a million people living with Rheumatoid Arthritis(RA) in the UK don’t look forward to the winter months.
“Invariably, the colder winter weather has a negative impact on my joints, making them painful and stiff. However, I’ve learnt techniques to help manage my pain and flares more effectively,” says Ailsa Bosworth MBE, founder of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS), who’s been living with RA for over 40 years.
How to self-manage joint pain
There are various ways to self-manage joint pain with medications and non-medication techniques. NRAS has a free e-learning programme called SMILE-RA, which has a ‘Managing Pain and Flares ‘module, which aims to explain RA-related pain and provide management tips.
Ailsa explains, “Learning about your pain is an important step in giving you the confidence to manage it better yourself, and to know when you need to seek help and support from your team.”
Winter brings extra challenges. The NRAS Helpline (0800 298 7650) receives calls about the dark evenings, increasing loneliness for some, while others request information about vaccinations. Aside from the Helpline, here are some practical tips that might help:
- Local councils and voluntary organisations use a variety of schemes to bring people together — find out what’s happening in your area.
- Keep your vaccinations up to date and protect your immune system by maintaining a healthy diet and undertaking physical activity.
- Consider taking vitamin supplements; vitamin D is important for people with RA in the winter.
- Keep warm; the NRAS website has tips on how to do this on a budget.
- Avoid colds by practising good hygiene; wear a face mask if you’re concerned.
- Talk to your employer about how they can support you both in the workplace and at home
Learning about your pain is an important step in giving you the confidence to manage
it better yourself, and to know when you need to seek help and support from your team.”
Ailsa ends with a reminder, “NRAS is there to support everyone living with RA, and our helpline is free to contact for support and information, but if you are struggling with your disease, you should always contact your clinical team.”
For further information, please visit: www.nras.org.uk.
