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7. Morning Stiffness
Waking up stiff and achy could mean you’re getting sick or you’ve strained some muscles, but if it strikes the top of your wrists, elbows, or fingers, it may point to a deeper problem.
Morning stiffness is common in a few conditions, and though it can be a mild inconvenience, it tends to be more severe in those with RA. For instance, some gentle range of motion exercises can help stretch out the joints when osteoarthritis, but the morning stiffness in RA is generally more prominent and prolonged, often lasting longer than an hour.
Generally, the joints in your extremities will suffer the most; hip stiffness is more often associated with osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful autoimmune disease that targets the joints. There are different types of rheumatoid arthritis. Learn more here.
