Increased Joint Pain and Arthritis Cases After Pink Eye in Delhi

Following a strong attack of pink eye and viral fever, Delhi is currently seeing a 50% rise in individuals experiencing arthritis and joint pain over the past week. Arthritis is when one or more joints become inflamed, leading to pain and stiffness that can get worse as you get older.

Dr. L Tomar, the Senior Director and Unit Head of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Max Super Speciality Hospital in Delhi, mentioned that there's been about a 50% increase in patients coming to them with complaints of knee and joint pain.

Dr. Uma Kumar, the Head of the Department of Rheumatology at AIIMS Delhi, also stated that they're noticing more patients at the OPD with joint pain.

This issue isn't just affecting older people above 60; even younger individuals around 30 years old are having joint-related problems.

In arthritis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to inflammation and painful swelling in various body parts.

The doctors are attributing this condition to the monsoon weather. Changes in air pressure during the monsoon, along with hot days and cool nights, are making joint aches and pains worse, especially for those with arthritis and other chronic pain conditions.

Dr. Kumar also highlighted that subclinical infections like dengue could be contributing to the increase in joint pain.

Dr. Tomar explained that during monsoons, the condition worsens due to a drop in barometric pressure, causing tissues to expand and put more pressure on them. This primarily affects the knees, followed by spinal cord joints and ankles.

High humidity levels during the monsoon can make arthritis pain worse. Humidity causes bodily tissues, including soft tissues around joints, to hold onto extra fluid, leading to increased stiffness and discomfort. This makes it harder for people with arthritis to move their joints freely.

To manage this, it's advised to exercise moderately, stay hydrated, and avoid getting wet in the rain. Unhealthy habits like a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive smoking, and alcohol consumption can also contribute to the development of arthritis, according to Dr. Tomar.