feeling of stiffness upon waking up in the morning

Many people face problems like stiffness in the body and waist strain while waking up in the morning, which they ignore considering it normal. But if stiffness in joints persists for a long time after waking up in the morning, it could be a sign of inflammation, autoimmune diseases or joint- problems.

cause of joint stiffness

According to experts, when a person sleeps, his body remains in the same position for several hours. During this period, the synovial fluid between the joints, which helps the bones to move smoothly, becomes slightly thickened. As soon as the person gets up, this fluid returns to normal and the stiffness begins to reduce. But if inflammation or joint disease is present, this stiffness may persist for a longer period of time.

signs of diseases

According to medical research, morning stiffness can be a sign of diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes swelling, warmth, and pain in the joints of the hands and feet. In many patients this stiffness persists for an hour or more. If not treated timely, this disease can cause permanent damage to the joints.

Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia

Additionally, osteoarthritis is also a major cause of morning stiffness, which usually occurs with aging. In this the cartilage of the joints gradually weakens. Its effect is more on knees, hips and spine. Although the stiffness subsides within a few minutes, persistent pain may be a cause for concern. In some cases, morning stiffness may also be a sign of fibromyalgia, which causes severe pain even with light pressure.

Health experts advice

Health experts suggest that doing light stretching after waking up in the morning can be beneficial. Slowly moving your arms and legs before getting up from bed improves blood circulation. A warm bath or warm compress relaxes the muscles. Additionally, including turmeric, ginger, flaxseed, walnuts and vitamin D-rich foods in your diet can help reduce inflammation.