Preparing for winter: Seasonal changes and medical cannabis

Your health in the colder seasons

Traditionally, the changing of seasons represents significant changes in temperature, weather, and hours of sunlight. While many of us enjoy basking in the long days of British summertime, the autumn months begin our gradual introduction to colder temperatures and shorter days. But not everyone gives much thought to how these changes could influence our health. 

Perhaps the most talked about effect of seasonal changes on our health is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This temporary condition is characterised by depressive symptoms that occur in a recurrent seasonal pattern. But many people may also notice changes to their physical health - particularly if they have an existing physical health condition. In some cases, these changes to mental and physical symptoms may even be linked.

Seasonal effects on chronic and inflammatory conditions

Many patients living with a range of conditions may notice that their symptoms are worse in colder periods. This can range from conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia to multiple sclerosis. So, let’s take a closer look at how the seasons could play a role in your symptom severity. 

Does arthritis get worse in cold weather?

Arthritis is a collection of over 100 conditions that affect the joints. The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, affecting an estimated 10% and 1% of the UK population, respectively. Symptoms of arthritis typically include pain and inflammation in the affected joints that can have a significant impact on mobility. 

Arthritic symptoms are often associated with triggers, such as stress, overworking the affected joint, weight gain, and of course, cold weather. Indeed, cold weather has been found to potentially exacerbate arthritis-related pain and swelling. This may be linked to several effects, including: 

• The thickening of synovial fluid (the fluid that lubricates the joints)
• Tightening of the muscles and joints in colder temperatures
• Changes to barometric pressure in the winter months
• Constriction of blood vessels in the joints 

Does cold weather affect fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that affects between 2% and 6% of the UK population. Unlike arthritis, the cause of fibromyalgia is not fully understood, often making diagnosis and treatment difficult. Common symptoms of fibromyalgia include pain, muscle aches, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and IBS symptoms.

A significant portion of fibromyalgia patients may experience a worsening in these symptoms in cold weather; however, the exact reason for this is not clear. While some speculate this may be linked to changes in the body’s ability to self-regulate temperature, more research is needed to confirm this.

Do changing seasons affect multiple sclerosis symptoms?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, causing significant damage which can manifest as a number of symptoms, including fatigue, vision problems, stiffness, and spasticity. 

A number of studies indicate that temperature may play an important role in the severity of symptoms to some people with MS. For example, one study found that participants with MS were primarily impacted by changes in climate, leading to “significant worsening of fatigue and severe limitations to the ability to walk and concentrate.”

How does cold weather affect other conditions?

A diverse group of patients living with chronic conditions report worsened symptoms in the winter months. Some examples include:

• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Taking a new approach to your treatment

We generally consider the new year to be the perfect time to try new things and make health-related changes. But if you’re affected by worsening health symptoms in the autumn and winter months, you might be considering an earlier intervention. For example, you might be wondering if there is a more effective alternative to managing your symptoms - particularly if you have already tried several conventional therapies. 

Cannabis-based medicines are potentially beneficial for a wide range of chronic and inflammatory conditions, including some of those mentioned in this article. Specialist doctors can now prescribe medical cannabis to patients with these conditions when conventional treatment options have proven ineffective or intolerable. 

Considerations for medical cannabis patients

Existing medical cannabis patients may equally be affected by changes in the seasons. As such, it is important to stay in regular contact with your prescribing doctor and report any changes in your symptom severity or frequency. In some cases, it may be necessary to alter your medical cannabis dose to achieve satisfactory relief.

Final thoughts

The changing of the seasons is an inevitable occurrence, with a range of both positive and negative effects and associations. But for those living with chronic or inflammatory conditions, the approach of the colder months is often a cause of significant concern. If you’re looking for an alternative method for managing your symptoms, we may be able to help.