For many people, a bone they broke decades ago, or osteoarthritis that hit their joints, is much more effective than weather forecast when predicting time rain or storm. This week in Spain, one of those times when all the bone alarms are triggered is approaching, with the imminent arrival of the final blows of Hurricane Daniel. But how much can we trust bone pain prediction?
The truth is that this is a difficult question. There is no consensus in science about the relationship between weather changes and bone pain. Some studies suggest some correlation, while others do not. nothing statistically significant. However, we all know someone who claims to have a bone that predicts rain far better than any meteorologist. If we don’t know anyone, that person might even be us.
And the truth is that it could be true biological explanation. Of course, in general, these explanations regarding broken bones are only suitable for recent fractures. That leg you broke riding your bike when you were eight may not have predicted the storm. There may be some assumptions in your predictions. But just in case, let’s see what the science says.
What do studies say about rain and bone pain?
In fact, the pain in the bones is not necessarily associated with rain, but rather with atmospheric pressure changes. These, in turn, are usually associated with storms, but also with other weather events. Taking this into account, numerous studies have been conducted in which these phenomena are associated, among others, with back pain, osteoarthritis or recent fractures. The problem is that there are quite a few discrepancies in the results.
For example, according to a study published in 2014, despite anecdotal reviews some patients parameters such as relative humidity, atmospheric pressure, precipitation or temperature are unable to trigger an episode lower back pain A definite correlation with wind speed was found, although this did not appear to be clinically significant.
A similar study was published two years later, although it involved people with knee osteoarthritis. Again, no relationship was found with rainfall and other climatic factors. On the contrary, in 2012, a definite association was found between these factors and the severity of pain in people with osteoarthritis, also known as arthrosis.
searches increase
While no clear link has been found between rainfall and bone pain, testimonies of affected people are more than widespread. It might have some dose sentenceAs in many myths. After all, our bones may ache at other times, but let’s not associate them with the change of time. However, when the match happens, it will be when we look.
However, there may be some factor that is not taken into account. In search of this factor in 2017, two scientists from the University of Washington and Harvard conducted an interesting study. This consisted in the analysis of search queries on the Internet. terms related to muscle and bone painlinking them, in turn, with the climate in different parts of the USA. Thus, it was observed that these searches seemed to intensify when climatic conditions were more severe, especially at very low temperatures.
This may be related to the proposal we have already spoken about. However, the authors of the study note that this may also be due to the fact that physical activity levels the weather can affect. Therefore, the less physical activity, the more musculoskeletal pain.
Could there be a scientific explanation?
Although the correlation is not statistically significant, there may be some scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
The traumatologist talks about this in an article on his blog. Evgeniya Miranda. Although the doctor emphasizes the importance of individual assessment based on her experience as a doctor, she gives physiological explanation which could shed some light on the cause of bone pain when the weather changes.
There are two structures involved. One side, Haversian ducts, which are honeycomb-shaped holes found inside bones. Blood circulates through its inner part, nourishing the bones and nerves, giving them sensitivity. The problem is that this free circulation can be interrupted by events such as a fracture or the aforementioned osteoarthritis. That’s when the pain comes.
The second structure to consider is periosteum. It is a membrane structure that surrounds the bones and also supplies them with blood vessels and nerves. Its size increases when a fracture occurs, as broken bones need more blood flow to heal. Although it also increases sensitivity and feels more pain.
The point is that these changes due to a fracture or conditions such as osteoarthritis increase with pressure changes. The pain they cause is even more noticeable. But, of course, those changes that occur in the bone after a fracture do not remain there forever. They usually last only a few years. Therefore, a bone broken decades ago should not hurt. Or maybe yes.
It is only clear that there is not much information about him. And also that we don’t have to endure pain, just because climatology makes us. If the pain in the bones is persistent, you should consult a specialist, and it does not matter if it started due to a thunderstorm, rain, or even a hurricane.
Source: Hiper Textual
