Morning stiffness is something many people experience, especially as they get older. Sometimes, you wake up and your joints feel a bit stiff, but after moving around for a while, the stiffness goes away. This is usually nothing to worry about. However, if your morning stiffness lasts for a long time, especially more than 30 minutes, it could be a sign of something more serious, like rheumatoid arthritis [1]. Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term autoimmune disorder that mainly affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness [4]. It is not just a condition that affects older people, and it can start at any age.
When someone has rheumatoid arthritis, their immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of their joints, which is called the synovium [1]. This attack causes inflammation, which leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. One of the most common and noticeable symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is morning stiffness that lasts for a long time. This stiffness is not just a quick feeling that goes away after a few minutes. Instead, it can last for an hour or even longer, making it hard to move and start the day [3]. The reason this happens is because when your body is at rest, like when you are sleeping, inflammatory fluids build up around your joints. When you wake up, these fluids make your joints feel stiff and painful. The inflammation is also worse in the morning because your body produces less of a hormone called cortisol at night, which normally helps control inflammation [3].
Morning stiffness that lasts for more than 30 minutes is considered a hallmark symptom of rheumatoid arthritis [1]. This means that if you have this kind of stiffness, especially if it happens every morning and is accompanied by other symptoms like joint pain, swelling, or warmth, it is important to talk to a doctor. Other early signs of rheumatoid arthritis include mild joint pain, tenderness, and swelling, especially in smaller joints like the fingers, wrists, and toes [1]. Fatigue and weakness are also common, and these symptoms can happen before the joint problems become severe [1]. The pain and stiffness often affect both sides of the body, such as both wrists or both knees, which is different from other types of arthritis that might only affect one side [1].
It is important to recognize these symptoms early because rheumatoid arthritis can cause permanent joint damage if it is not treated [2]. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent this damage and improve long-term outcomes [2]. Doctors use a combination of medical history, physical examination, and blood tests to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Blood tests can check for things like rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP antibodies, ESR, and CRP, which are markers of inflammation and autoimmune activity [2]. Imaging tests like X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound may also be used to look for changes in the joints, such as swelling, erosion, or loss of joint space [2].
Morning stiffness is not the only symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, but it is one of the most telling signs. If you have morning stiffness that lasts for more than 30 minutes, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like joint pain, swelling, or fatigue, it is important to seek medical attention. Rheumatoid arthritis is a serious condition that can affect your quality of life, but with early diagnosis and proper treatment, it is possible to manage the symptoms and prevent long-term damage [2].
Sources:
[1] https://geimshospital.com/blog/what-is-rheumatoid-arthritis/
[2] https://lokmanyahospitals.com/blogs/what-are-the-4-stages-of-rheumatoid-arthritis
[3] https://altusbiologics.com/managing-morning-stiffness-how-biologics-support-daily-life-for-rheumatoid-arthritis-patients/
[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rheumatoid_arthritis
