5 Tips for Better Mornings with Arthritis

Sep 8, 2023
arthritis

“Arthritis” is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases and conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation.  While people of all ages can have arthritis, seniors often expect arthritis to occur as they age and when it does, mornings can be especially painful. There are, however, ways to prepare for and overcome arthritis-plagued mornings, if you know which type of arthritis you have and what works best.

The many faces of arthritis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention article “Arthritis Types”, there are more than 100 different types of arthritis affecting the joints, joint tissues and connective tissues. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which occurs when joint cartilage breaks down and bones lose their protection.

Different autoimmune diseases also cause arthritis including:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis which can be inherited or caused by environmental risk factors such as smoking, gender (women are more likely to have it), obesity, and of age.
  • Lupus which can damage any part of the body and is most common in women.
  • Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes pain throughout the body as well as mental stress and fatigue.
  • Psoriatic arthritis, which occurs in 10% to 20% of people with psoriasis.

Gout is also a type of arthritis that is especially painful and is caused by a buildup of uric acid in the body.

Why mornings are so difficult with arthritis

Arthritis pain and stiffness are often worse in the morning. According to the verywellhealth.com article “Causes of Morning Stiffness From Arthritis,” reasons may include low levels of the hormone cortisol during the overnight hours which limits the body’s ability to control inflammation and the thickening of the synovial fluid in the joints which inhibits movement. Other causes include lack of movement while sleeping, not staying warm enough and forgetting to take medications to ease inflammation.

Tips to ease morning pain and stiffness

Tip #1 – Take the right arthritis medication

One of the easiest ways to prepare for the morning is to take medications before going to bed. The Arthritis Foundation article, “Medications for Arthritis” lists medications that may be helpful including over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, naproxen, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen; corticosteroids which mimic the hormone cortisol to reduce inflammation; disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or DMARDs; and biologics which are a powerful form of DMARD. Each has its pros and cons and some may work better for different types of arthritis when taken as prescribed by a physician.

Tip #2 – Try bed exercises

When morning brings pain and stiffness, start the day by stretching and exercising in bed. Since inactivity during the night may help bring on arthritis pain in the morning, starting out with simple exercises like those described in the ra.newlifeoutlook.com article, “Six Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises You Can Do Without Getting Out of Bed,” can help lubricate the joints and increase the blood supply, making movement less painful.

Tip #3 – Heat things up

Heat helps so taking a warm (not hot) shower or bath first thing in the morning can ease arthritis pain and stiffness, especially if it occurs in multiple areas. If the pain is primarily in the hands try soaking them in a sink of warm water and gently massaging each hand while moving the fingers to increase blood supply. If winter is particularly difficult, consider using an electric blanket to warm the bed at night and help soothe stiffness in the morning. For more about treating with heat checkout the arthritis-health.com article, “When and Why to Apply Heat to an Arthritic Joint.”

Tip #4 – Chill out

Like heat, cold may also provide a level of relief because cold helps reduce swelling and pain. Just a bag of frozen peas on a sore knee or holding an ice pack for a few minutes may be just the thing to make moving easier and less painful. For ways to use ice safely, the medicalnewstoday.com article “How do heat and cold help arthritis pain?” is an excellent resource.

Tip #5 – Work out regularly

Overall, exercise is one of the best ways to minimize arthritis pain throughout the day and night. The AARP article, “Taking Aim at Arthritis,” notes that even though working out may seem like a painful idea, strengthening muscles is key to maintaining function so aerobic and resistance exercises will get the heart pumping and build strength and stamina. Strong muscles also help cushion the impact walking has on joints and is important for strengthening bones.

At Ganton’s Countryside, we make wellness a priority for all of our residents so they can make the most of every day. For more information about Countryside, please call Margaret Nagel at (517) 206-5000 or download our brochure to learn about our care levels, cost, and amenities.

assisted living near me

Recent Posts

8 Ways an Independent Living Community Supports Your Lifestyle

What do you want out of retirement? The freedom to roam? Relief from all the responsibilities of owning a home? Time to pursue self-fulfillment? Exceptional services and amenities? No matter how you perceive your desired retirement lifestyle, take a look at some of...

Health Changes to Look for When Visiting Mom Over the Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time to get together with family and friends, but they also offer an opportunity to assess the health and well-being of a senior loved one. This is especially true if it has been weeks or months since the last visit since changes will...

Dementia: Understanding Sundown Syndrome

Dementia is a devastating diagnosis with many implications, not the least of which is a condition known as sundown syndrome. Also called sundowning or sundowner’s syndrome this condition generally strikes late in the day as the sun goes down but can occur anytime...

Why Everyone Needs an Advance Directive

Do you know what will happen if you are suddenly incapacitated and cannot make decisions for yourself? While it’s human nature to adhere to the “that won’t happen to me” mindset, the reality is that no one knows what the future holds. That’s why every adult needs an...

5 Decorating Tips for Your Senior Living Retirement Home

After years of living in a family home, moving to a senior living community and starting anew means decorating a new senior living home, something that can be a fun and exciting experience. But where to begin? Whether the new home is a house, condo, cottage or...

The Alzheimer’s Disease Challenges Women Face

Alzheimer’s disease is devastating and its prevalence is on the rise. According to the alz.org report, “2023 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” in 2023 there are about 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older with the disease, and as the population ages, that...

Home Safety for Older Adults: A Checklist of Top Considerations

Home safety for older adults is top of mind concern for loved ones and adult children. According to the AARP Home and Community Preference Survey,  79% of seniors (ages 50 and above) prefer to live at home as they age, but only about 34% recognize they may need to...

When One Partner Has a Dementia Diagnosis and the Other Doesn’t

A dementia diagnosis is a devastating event in any marriage and one that really changes everything going forward. Suddenly there are so many unknowns, so many new concerns, and so much sadness that the healthy spouse may be overwhelmed. One of the greatest of the...

What Services Do Memory Care Communities Provide?

Making the decision to move yourself or a loved one to a memory care community should be a well-informed one. All memory care communities are not created equal, but the best have several things in common. When comparing memory care communities be sure to include the...

How to Talk to Your Parents About Assisted Living

Having a conversation about moving parents to assisted living can go a lot easier when everyone is open-minded, empathetic and has good information about assisted living communities. Today’s modern assisted living communities have come a long way so before sitting...

Share This