The Worst U.S. Cities for Arthritis Patients
Arthritis can be a difficult condition to live with. People with the disorder have to constantly deal with pain and discomfort all through the year. External factors also play a role in accentuating the pain and inflammation related to arthritis. Here is detailed information on what exactly is this bone and joint disorder, how external conditions affect it, and the worst U.S cities for arthritis.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis results in swelling and pain in the joints. It also causes stiffness around the joints, preventing people from functioning normally. There are more than hundreds of types of arthritis. Both medications and physical therapy can help to manage this chronic condition. Some of the common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, and septic arthritis.
External conditions and arthritis
Climate and location
While there are no proven studies that confirm external conditions such as location and climate play a role in accentuating or decreasing arthritis pain and discomfort, there are many people with the condition who swear there is a connection. External factors such as a drop in pressure, humidity, and rainy weather may increase the severity of symptoms of the disorder. Based on these external factors, people with arthritis will do better to avoid the following cities to live in.
1. Boston
Boston is one of the worst U.S cities for arthritis because of the amount of rainfall it receives over the year. When it rains, the pressure drops. This causes the fluids in the joints to coagulate to an extent, resulting in intense joint pain and inflammation.
2. Oklahoma
If you think humidity makes your arthritis worse, then you should stay away from Oklahoma. This is one of the worst U.S cities for arthritis because of its high humidity levels all through the year. Another reason why people don’t prefer Oklahoma is that there are fewer rheumatologists in the city compared to the number of patients.
3. New Orleans
New Orleans is a city in Louisiana that faces moderate to highly humid climate all through the year. As humidity increases, the pressure decreases and this again results in stiffness and pain around the joints.
4. Miami
The average humidity in Miami is 83% in the mornings and around 60% in the evenings. This also makes it one of the most difficult places to live in when you have arthritis. Miami also receives 62% precipitation over the year, making it a rainy city.
Unfortunately, no cure for arthritis has been discovered just yet to treat the condition completely. All that can be done is manage it with the help of medication, therapies, and lifestyle and dietary changes. Also, keeping in mind factors such as the weather, healthcare facilities, and mobility facilities in the places where you live will help deal with the disorder better.