How to Manage Chronic Pain This Summer
June 30, 2022
The good news is that you can manage pain during the hottest months. As a team of leading chronic pain management doctors, we’ve got some essential tips to assist you this summer.
Stay Out Of The Heat
Many patients report that their pain worsens when the temperature and humidity rise (and we know a lot about heat and humidity in central Alabama). The increase in pain could be down to a shift in the barometric pressure, which can make muscles, tendons, and tissues expand and contract. But while you can’t control the weather conditions, you can often control how you feel.
To combat the summer heat, do your best to stay cool. Try to keep your home at or below 78 degrees and stay in the shade whenever possible. Avoid putting yourself in situations when you feel hot for long periods. If you find yourself at an outdoor event, sit under an umbrella or bring along a misting fan. Keeping your temperature down should help ease some of the pain this summer.
Hydration, Hydration, Hydration!
The summer heat will mean you’re likely to sweat more, which can quickly lead to dehydration. In turn, dehydration can worsen your pain because your body does not have enough water to help carry nutrients through the blood.
A good way to improve hydration is to keep a water bottle handy and sip on it regularly throughout the day. This steady stream of water will prevent your pain from getting worse, and it can also keep heat headaches at bay. The recommended daily water intake is 91 ounces for women and 125 ounces for men. By staying hydrated, inflammation in the body will decrease, which will ease your chronic pain.
Be Thoughtful At Summer Gatherings
What’s better than a summer BBQ when the weather is nice? In this season of picnics, cookouts, and weddings, it’s great to enjoy and indulge, but be careful about the dishes you pick. As you may be aware, red meats and processed meats are not recommended for people with chronic pain, as they’re related to inflammation.
Avoid eating too much of any processed or red meat dish over the summer. Instead, ensure you add plenty of fresh vegetables to your meals. A balanced diet will help reduce inflammation in your body, which will make your chronic pain more manageable this summer.
Carry Your Pain Relief Solutions With You
Keep handy any pain medication you use to manage your chronic pain to keep difficult episodes at bay. Remember to include any topical treatments you may use, too! When you make a habit of keeping these medications nearby, you can manage your pain on the go and continue having fun in the sun.
If you are going on vacation or spending the day out with your family, be sure to carry some pain relief solutions with you in a bag. Hopefully, you won’t need them. But, it’s useful to have them in case you get a flare-up and need some relief.
Get Quality Pain Management From A Specialized Chronic Pain Doctor!
Following these tips will only be the start of your pain management journey. If you’d like to learn more about managing chronic pain in the summer months, contact Southside Pain Specialists today. We’re here to help you navigate your unique challenges and get back to focusing on the things that really matter. So get out there and have some summer fun!
Southside Pain Specialists: Comprehensive Pain Treatment in Birmingham, AL
At Southside Pain Specialists, we’re here to help, because life shouldn’t be a pain! We offer a variety of treatment options to meet our patients’ specific needs. If you suffer from chronic pain and are ready to find relief, get in touch with us online, or call (205) 881-0127 to schedule a consultation.