Rheumatoid Arthritis

As with many other rheumatic diseases, morning stiffness is typical for rheumatoid arthritis. In rheumatoid arthritis, an inflammation of the joints occurs. The joints of the hands, feet and fingers are particularly affected.

In addition to fatigue and general unspecific complaints, swelling and pain occur in the affected joints. The joints feel particularly stiff in the morning. This is called morning stiffness.

This morning stiffness lasts about half an hour, but can also last longer. Various medications can reduce the symptoms and counteract the progression of the disease. The natural course over years without taking medication often results in destruction of the joints and malpositions.

Arthrosis

Morning stiffness can occur in osteoarthritis. However, morning stiffness is usually not as pronounced as in rheumatic diseases. The basis of the complaints lies in the wear and tear of the joint surface.

Over time and stress, the cartilage layer on the joints reduces, which is partly responsible for their smooth movements. T ypical for arthrosis is that the complaints are most severe at the beginning of a movement, e.g. walking. This is known as the initial pain. The pain decreases with the duration of the movement.

Duration

The duration of morning stiffness varies. For rheumatic diseases, one can expect the morning stiffness to last half an hour. But even longer is not untypical.

With different medicines the complaints, as for example the morning rigidity, can be reduced. The duration can also be shortened by medication. In osteoarthritis and joint pain during menopause, morning stiffness tends to be less pronounced and its duration tends to be shorter. A duration of over half an hour is rather rare.

Morning stiffness therapy

The therapy of morning stiffness depends on the underlying disease. For this reason, no general recommendation can be given as to how the symptom of morning stiffness can be treated. If symptoms are perceived, a visit to a physician is recommended in order to determine the cause of the symptoms and initiate appropriate therapy.

The possibilities of treating the diseases responsible for the symptom are also very different. As a rule, however, therapies are based on anti-inflammatory therapy, since in the majority of cases the inflammation of the joints is the cause of the symptom of morning stiffness. Anti-inflammatory drugs, so-called NSAIDS such as ibuprofen or diclofenac, are therefore the basic medication for typical diseases such as rheumatism or arthrosis, which are often responsible for morning stiffness.

If it is an autoimmune disease, especially rheumatoid arthritis, drugs that suppress the immune system can also be taken. Thus the so-called Kortisol represents an important component of the therapy of the morning rigidity with rheumatism. A homeopathic remedy that is supposed to help against morning stiffness is Cimicifuga racemosa.

It is specifically for women who suffer from joint problems during the menopause. In the case of rheumatism, Ledum, among other things, can be used for treatment. However, there is no scientific evidence for the effect of homeopathic remedies.