Are my EDS symptoms affected by weather or my activities?

I often think about how my Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) is affected by the weather. I also wonder whether the biggest factor in my EDS symptoms is the weather itself or how my activities change because of it.

I’ve been experiencing wild temperature swings lately, ranging from 15 F to 70 F in just 10 days. As I’ve previously noted, because of EDS, I must adjust my activities based on whether it’s hot or cold outside. Both extremes mean more chores for me to do on the farm. I’ve learned the importance of staying warm when it’s cold, because cold weather accelerates the tendency for my muscles to tighten more than usual. On the other hand, when it’s hot out, I have to avoid getting overheated or dehydrated, both of which can also affect my muscles.

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I wonder how much of what I feel is the result of the temperatures and how much is because of what I do because of those temperatures. From a management perspective, it doesn’t really matter, as it is what it is and I deal with it. But I have a background in research, so it gets me thinking and I try to parse the different pieces of the puzzle. Of course, as a common research adage notes, “Correlation does not imply causation.”

So what does correlate? When it’s cold, I have to put blankets on the horses, feed them extra hay so that they stay warm, and make sure the water troughs are defrosted — in addition to my regular chores. That means extra lifting, more time outdoors, and the need to swing a hammer to break up the frozen water in the troughs. Each of these chores can cause soreness, but I don’t know if they would do so if the weather was warmer.

When it’s really hot out, I spend more time dumping and scrubbing water troughs. The horses want to stay in their shelters under their fans, so I have to keep those areas clean of manure and haul it out to the muck pile. While I do that, I tend to be sweating profusely in heat indexes that can reach 100 F.

You might be wondering why I spend time noodling over something that doesn’t really matter and I can’t actually answer. I suppose it’s because I tend to manage my EDS in part by noticing patterns and using that information to modify how I do things. It’s just how my brain works. So, even though I can’t always parse the differences, thinking about it still helps me recognize how I feel and when. That information, in turn, can help me manage my EDS the best that I can.

I think what affects my symptoms is a combination of both what I do and the weather itself. I’m curious what readers think. Please share in the comments below.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.