Play all audios:
TV doctor Kiran Morjaria has identified five essential strategies to manage inflammation pain during warmer weather. The 30-year-old warned that swollen joint ailments may worsen during the
summer due to something known as 'vasodilation'. This simply describes the process of our blood vessels expanding, causing an increase in flow to the limbs that may put extra
pressure on our joints. "Why are my joints getting painful in the hot weather?" he said in a recent episode of BBC Morning Live. "Well, when we get hot, our blood vessels
expand. That process is called vasodilation. Vaso, blood vessel, dilation, expanding. When that happens, we get an increase in blood flow to the limbs. The fluid can leak out of that into
the tissues surrounding existing sore joints. Think about what we like to do in the nice weather. > "We want to be outside, we are doing things. That increase in activity is great
for our bodies, but [it] actually can put extra stress on our joints... There are a few things we can do and things we can think about when the weather is getting hotter." First and
foremost, Dr Morjaria claimed that staying hydrated is 'really important' for most people. Scientists generally believe that drinking more water can improve the production of
synovial fluid, a substance that lubricates our cartilages. This may, in turn, prevent stiffness and inflammation around the joint. Dr Morjaria also recommended elevating a sore joint above
heart level. He added that doing so will allow gravity to do 'most of the heavy-lifting', potentially allowing the swelling pain to reduce. He continued: "We can put an ice
pack on the area. So, 20 minutes of an ice pack every three or four hours can be helpful. "Avoiding the sun or the hot weather at midday, and then wearing clothes that are loose,
materials like cotton, linen. And just making sure we are not wearing clothing that is too tight for us. This constriction can make us very hot." Besides this, Dr Morjaria emphasised
the importance of continued exercise in situations where the pain is manageable and mild. Staying still for too long may worsen stiffness in the long run, so any achievable movement is
recommended. For anyone struggling with inflammation, he explained that even simple leg raises may help. All you need to do is lie down on a comfortable surface with one leg bent and the
other straight. Keeping your toes pointed towards the ceiling, lift the straight leg off the ground five inches for a few seconds. "So, knees are really a common joint that we see in
[the] clinic," Dr Morjaria said. "So, this is a really good exercise for the knees." DR MORJARIA'S TOP TIPS FOR INFLAMMATION PAIN DURING THE WARMER WEATHER * Stay
hydrated * Elevate the joint * Use ice packs * Avoid the midday sun * Wear loose clothing