"There's a storm coming, I can feel it in my left knee." We've heard the older folks say it time and again, but is this just another hypochondriac's way to get attention, or is it true that your joints can sometimes predict a change in the weather?

According to Daniel G. Arkfeld, M.D., associate professor of clinical medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, joint pains or "rheumatism"  certainly can be made worse by cold and moist or oppressive weather. Many people, particularly those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis report pain that changes according to temperature, the barometric pressure, and precipitation.

Researchers say that there seems to be a real relationship between both cold and storms and an increase in the amount of inflammatory bodies called cytokines. When inflammatory cytokines increase pain also intensifies.

A change in atmospheric pressure such as we see when the weather is changing for the worse seems to have a bad effect on inflammatory cytokines in joints that are already painful under the best of circumstances. Barometric pressure is a way of quantifying the amount of weight exerted on our bodies by the air surrounding us. On dry, clear, warm, sunny days the barometric pressure tends to be high. When a storm or other weather front is brewing the barometric pressure tends to drop. Those with weather-susceptible pain will notice the change.

Precipitation, whether rain or snow, is also often accompanied by a change in barometric pressure. Changes in the wind and the amount of humidity are also closely related, so all of these weather changes can cause an increase in joint pain for some people.

These changes in the amount of discomfort someone is feeling because of the weather can cause related problems in daily life. Because of increased pain sleep is often disturbed. This can lead to fatigue and being out of sorts during the day. Increased joint pain will make sitting, standing and walking more painful for some. Those with dementia or other problems that can make communication difficult may not be able to explain how or why they are feeling uncooperative, cranky and unwell.

If you notice a change in your senior when the weather is about to change, consider that there may really have been an increase in the amount of pain. Even if he or she says nothing, you might consider offering a mild over-the-counter pain reliever such as Tylenol (with your doctor's approval, of course).

This can be particularly helpful if your loved one can't communicate the reason they are not feeling "right." If you can prevent an escalation of their pain before it becomes severe you may ward off the anxiety and difficult behavior that often accompany storms and other weather changes.

For an easy way to predict weather-related arthritis pain, try the AccuWeather Arthritis Index. This "aches and pains index" forecasts the "likely severity of weather-related pain in one easy-to-understand scale, from Low to Extreme" for the next several days in your locale. Having a bit of warning about what's coming may help you to plan your activities and have that pain reliever handy.