Hurricane Earl is the cause for a number of coastal evacuations ranging from the Carolina states right on up through Maine. But while the people in these communities think about protecting their personal belongings - there is another safety concern to consider: arthritis.Arthritis sufferers know that as the weather changes, so too will the pain and uncomfortableness that accompanies their condition. Barometric pressure changes have been proven to cause sudden shifts in joint pain and inflammation, leaving arthritis sufferers in pain without much left to comfort them. As an atmospheric issue - the pressures that accommpany major storm systems like Hurricane Earl can pose to be a significant threat for days before and days after a storms physical impact in the area.About ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease of unknown cause, mainly affecting synovial joints. Typically, the small joints of the hands and feet are involved in a symmetrical pattern, although any joint may be affected. Patients experience pain and symptoms such as fatigue and malaise. Less commonly, there may be involvement of other organ systems, including the eyes, skin, lungs and vasculature. RA is now considered to be a risk factor for IHD, leading to shortened life expectancy in many patients.About Hurricane EarlHurricane Earl is the seventh depression, fifth storm, third hurricane and second major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. Forming as a classical Cape Verde-type hurricane from a large area of low pressure associated with a broad tropical disturbance wave on August 25, it slowly organized, becoming a tropical storm later that day near the Cape Verde Islands. It maintained peak winds of 45 mph for two days, before slowly strengthening into a 60 mph tropical storm. It then maintained that wind speed for another twelve hours, before becoming the season's third hurricane. On August 30 at 11:00 AM AST, Earl intensified into a category 3 hurricane, making it the second major hurricane of the season after Hurricane Danielle. Later that day, Earl intensified further into a category 4 hurricane before leveling out in intensity. Earl is the first Cape Verde-type hurricane to affect the Leeward Islands since Hurricane Georges. It is currently predicted to affect the Grand Strand of South Carolina, Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Canadian Maritimes. It was the most intense tropical cyclone in the Atlantic basin since Hurricane Dean in 2007. Throughout the Leeward Islands, Hurricane Earl wrought significant damage but resulted in no loss of life. Total losses in the region were estimated up to $150 million
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