For many people, the simple act of getting out of bed in the morning can still seem like a herculean task, says Dr Raju Vaishya, senior consultant orthopaedic and joint replacement specialist, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.
When we wake up, our joints stiffen, making movement slower. This is known as morning stiffness – a problem that affects people of all ages but is particularly common in older adults, those with arthritis or those with sedentary lifestyles.
Reason
According to Dr. Raju Vaishya, morning stiffness is not just a product of aging. It occurs for many reasons, including:
1. Arthritis: While you sleep, your body produces certain chemicals to help control inflammation. But in some cases, these chemicals can build up in your joints, making you feel sore.
2. Lack of movement: While we sleep, our joints can stiffen. Lack of movement for 6-8 hours will cause the muscles and joints to tighten, leading to a stiff feeling when we wake up.
3. Dehydration: If you're just a little dehydrated (the fluid that cushions your joints) called synovial fluid, it can dry out a little and make your joints stiffer when you first wake up.
4. Poor sleeping posture: The way you sleep can also contribute to morning stiffness. Sleeping in an uncomfortable position or using the wrong pillow can put stress on your back, neck, and joints, leading to morning stiffness.
5. Aging: As we age, our joints lose flexibility and muscles may not recover as quickly from daily wear and tear, making morning stiffness more common.
Is morning stiffness dangerous?
Stiffness upon waking up causes a lot of inconvenience, and if accompanied by joint pain, it will make it difficult to live and perform daily tasks.
Dr. Raju Vaishya noted that if joint stiffness persists for a long time, it can lead to many other dangerous complications such as loss of mobility, muscle atrophy, joint deformities, disability or cardiovascular diseases.
Therefore, when you notice stiff joints every morning, do not be subjective, instead take the initiative to visit a doctor for timely diagnosis and treatment.
