Do experience joint stiffness upon waking up in the morning? While it’s true that it is a problem that’s commonly associated with the process of aging, you really don’t have to be an elderly just to experience such — it can also be due to issues that can affect people of all ages.
Aside from stiffening, it’s also very much likely for you to also experience discomfort, pain, swelling and redness.
This article will get you introduced to some of the most common causes of stiff joints. And if you read further, you will come across some of the best home remedies for it.
An Injury
Did you just encounter a mishap while engaging in sports, working out or doing a household chore?
Then there’s a possibility that your joint stiffness is due to a trauma or an injury incurred by the affected joint. Sometimes rest is all that you need to do, but in some situations it’s a must for you to be seen by a doctor.
Osteoarthritis
There are over a hundred different types of osteoarthritis, and experts say that osteoarthritis is the most common of the bunch. Put simply, it’s all about the wear and tear of the cartilage in your joints.
More often than not, osteoarthritis is seen in older individuals as a result of years and years of joint use.
Sadly, osteoarthritis cannot be reversed — it is chronic and progressive. The good news is that you can considerably slow down its worsening.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Another very common form of arthritis that can cause stiffening of your joints is referred to as rheumatoid arthritis. Unlike osteoarthritis, it’s not the wear and tear of the cartilage but the inflammation of the lining of the joints.
The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is the immune system — it’s an autoimmune disease in which the immune cells attack perfectly harmless tissues such as those that line the bones that meet in a joint.
Just like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is chronic and progressive.
Bursitis
There is a fluid-filled sac in a joint that is tasked at eliminating friction, and it’s called a bursa. In some situations the bursa may become inflamed, and this is something that can lead to what’s referred to as bursitis.
Stiffness, swelling, pain and fever — these are the signs and symptoms of bursitis. Bursitis commonly affects the hip, shoulder and elbow joints.
Unlike osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis is highly treatable. Common treatment options include medications, therapy, injections and in extreme cases surgery.
So what are the things that you may do in order to attain much-needed relief from joint stiffness? The following are some of your options:
- Cold Compress. For about 20 minutes at a time several times a day, you may apply cold compress on the affected area to relieve both stiffening and aching.
- Ginger or turmeric tea. Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, ginger or turmeric tea can help to keep at bay swelling and stiffening of the joint.
- Physical activity. It’s very much likely for your joints to become stiff and achy if you spend most of your waking hours seated on a couch and lying in bed.
- Weight loss. Having excess body pounds can aggravate the signs and symptoms of arthritis and also put a lot of stress on the joints, and that is why maintaining an ideal weight is a good idea.
- Olive oil. There are compounds present in olive oil that can help reinstate proper levels of lubricants in the joints. Aside from adding it to the diet, olive oil may also be massaged on the affected joint.
- Omega-3s. Experts confirm that omega-3s are very good for dealing with joint stiffness, swelling and pain. Some of the top food sources of omega-3s include oily types of fish, avocados, nuts and seeds.
Certainly, it’s a good idea for you to report the problem to your doctor most especially if the stiffening of your joints is already keeping you from carrying out your everyday duties and responsibilities.
