Morning stiffnessis common in people with arthritis.
Sometimes it can even happen if you are being treated for arthritis.
The symptoms of morning stiffness can vary depending on the key in of arthritis you have.
Peter Dazeley / Photographer’s Choice / Getty Images
In your joints, there’s a liquid calledsynovialfluid.
When your joints are not moving, the fluid can get thick and gel-like.
The gelling makes it harder for the joints to move easily.
However, once you start moving again, the fluid will go back to its normal liquid state.
The gel phenomenon is one reason why people with OA may feel stiff after long periods of inactivity.
It’s thought that some conditions make a person have low nighttime levels of the hormonecortisol.
Your cortisol levels tend to be highest (peak) in the morning.
Carrying extra weight puts more stress on your joints, especially on your hips and knees.
Does Low Vitamin D Cause RA?
Rather than vitamin deficiencies causing RA, it could be that people with RA commonly have nutritional deficiencies.
For example, a prescription drug calledRayosis a delayed-release form of acorticosteroidcalledprednisone, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication.
Summary
Morning stiffness is common in people with different kinds of arthritis.
In inflammatory types of arthritis, morning stiffness may last for several hours.
In non-inflammatory forms of arthritis like osteoarthritis, morning stiffness generally goes away in less than half an hour.
Talk to your provider about medications or lifestyle changes that may help you cope with morning stiffness from arthritis.
OA stiffness generally lasts for less than half an hour.
RA can make joints stiff for hours.
Stiffness from aging usually lasts for 15 minutes or less.
Depending on the cause of your stiffness, your healthcare provider may be able to prescribe medication to help.
Talk to your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Arthritis Foundation.Inflammation and stiffness: the hallmarks of arthritis.
Harvard Health Publishing.What makes my joints stiff in the morning?
Hospital for Special Surgery.Osteoarthritis.
2014;16 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S3.
doi:10.1186/ar4687
Arthritis Foundation.Your body’s internal clock affects arthritis symptoms.
Arthritis Foundation.How fat can worsen arthritis.
2017 Oct 18;18(10):2170. doi:10.3390/ijms18102170
Arthritis Foundation.Vitamin D and arthritis debate.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Arthritis of the shoulder.
