Weather conditions can have a notable effect on arthritis symptoms. City dwellers with arthritis may feel better after moving to areas with stable air pressure as the steady climate doesn’t strain joints. While there are some cities, especially up north, that have favorable weather for arthritis patients, many others do not. Coupled with their poor healthcare facilities for arthritis, it can become difficult for patients to live in these locations.

Here are 5 of the worst U.S. cities for individuals having arthritis.

Houston, Texas

Houston might be a great place for rodeos and outdoor enthusiasts, but for arthritis patients, not so much. A victim of shifting weather conditions, the climate isn’t stable in this city because of its location on the gulf. It calls for sudden humid conditions that may trigger the joints. The barometric pressure also fluctuates constantly. This further translates to increased joint pain, which can be a nightmare for people with arthritis.

Casper, Wyoming
The state of Wyoming has been known to be among the bottom five states for arthritis care. It is comparatively less easy for people residing here to find options for arthritis care. Moreso, the city of Casper in this state faces terrible weather conditions. They have heavy snowstorms and periodic cold spells. The temperature in Casper can drop to minus nine degrees, which doesn’t seem to help anything look up for those with arthritis.

Jackson, Mississippi
It is said that people with arthritis can predict when it is about to rain. This is because of the change in air pressure that triggers the bones in the joints. In the city of Jackson, one may feel this kind of sensation often because of its sudden, harsh weather shifts and dramatic rainfalls. Plus, it has high humidity, especially in the month of September. Jackson also doesn’t have a variety of arthritis treatment options, which may make medical care expensive.

Marquette, Michigan

Excruciating cold weather and arthritis pain don’t gel well. So the city of Marquette is also one of the worst U.S. cities for arthritis. The city faces gusty winds, and its temperatures decrease at an alarming rate. The speed at which the weather changes can have a significant effect on joint pain. This happens because the barometric pressure reduces suddenly, which causes one’s tissue to swell and leads to inflammation of the joints. If weather conditions do not stabilize, it may also cause joint pain for a longer duration.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Along with Wyoming, Oklahoma is also known for not being the most convenient when it comes to arthritis healthcare. Its capital, Oklahoma City, has it worse because of dramatic seasonal change that may induce additional joint pain. Humid summers and ice storm winters can make this city’s climate too extreme for arthritis patients. The place is also known for tornadoes, causing harsh weather in the months of April and May.