Suppose you are recovering from the Nuss surgery and are in the postoperative period. In that case, you could experience discomfort due to the changing weather.
Even though this problem is uncommon and does not affect many people, it is still possible. It can cause uncomfortable feelings, such as anxiety.
Patients have publicly shared their experiences of such pain, describing it as chest discomfort and tightness when it rains or the weather changes.
Cause
These situations are typical and expected, especially when storms are rolling. That is due to the barometric pressure dropping.
The body, after surgery, somehow senses this change, causing soft tissue to swell and constrict at lower temperatures, placing pressure on the nerves.
While the surgery is probably the leading cause of pain in the early postoperative period, your pain levels can change over time due to the weather, temperature, and humidity.
The level of discomfort and pain should be moderate.
When to call a doctor
This occurrence does not have to frighten you because the worst part, the surgery itself, has already happened.
But, while I understand that this might be a distressing sensation, the good thing is that it is still manageable.
However, you should call a doctor if your chest pain worsens with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or trouble breathing.
Simple chest discomfort brought on by the cold may be due to the weather; it should pass and is of no concern.
Consult a doctor immediately if the pain is severe and intolerable; do not wait for something more serious. The weather pain may signify other issues, such as heart problems, which manifest as chest pain.
4 Ways to ease the pain
1. Be active
Try to be active but cautious because of the limitations in the recovery period. Exercises with low impact and walking can help you. Speaking with your doctor will help you choose an activity based on your recovery condition.
2. Try to stay healthy
Be sure you keep a healthy weight and healthy diet. Maintaining a healthy weight by eating a balanced diet can also assist in reducing inflammation and pain.
3. Find peace
Since the surgery stresses the body, it might be challenging to remain calm and positive during that recovery time. Still, it would help if you remembered that calmness is a solution to many problems.
It would help if you strived to maintain and elevate your mood. Your body can suffer from stress and anxiety. You can significantly enhance your physical well-being by concentrating on your mental health.
Try to use techniques that will calm you and make them a priority in your daily routine. Surround yourself with positive people.
4. Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals, such as Omega 3 and magnesium, are also crucial in helping with weather pain.
However, while still in the postoperative phase, it is best to take the supplements that your doctor recommends to you, and not select on your own, to have a safe and better recovery.
6 Sources
- Butterpuppiesreddit. Pain in the cold/rain after nuss procedure? [Internet]. r/PectusExcavatum. 2022 [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from: www.reddit.com/r/PectusExcavatum/comments/z6n7r9/pain_in_the_coldrain_after_nuss_procedure/
- Shulman BS, Marcano AI, Davidovitch RI, Karia R, Egol KA. Nature’s wrath-The effect of weather on pain following orthopaedic trauma. Injury. 2016 Aug;47(8):1841–6.
- Why Do Past Injuries Hurt When It Rains? - AICA Orthopedics [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from: https://aica.com/why-do-past-injuries-hurt-when-it-rains/
- Why Does My Chest Hurt When It’s Cold? | Mount Sinai Today [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from: https://health.mountsinai.org/blog/why-does-my-chest-hurt-when-its-cold/
- Cold Weather and Cardiovascular Disease | American Heart Association [Internet]. [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/what-is-cardiovascular-disease/cold-weather-and-cardiovascular-disease
- Can a Change in Weather Cause Joint Pain? - Towson Orthopaedic Associates [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2023 Jan 21]. Available from: https://www.towsonortho.com/can-a-change-in-weather-cause-joint-pain/