Feeling stiff and achy in the morning? Uric acid could be the culprit

Written by: Mantasha Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 14 July 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-5abc911a-e1e4-43dc-ae86-249fca766805","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc7f3550-2ea3-4be4-9305-5af61bad772e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Waking up with joint stiffness and pain isn't solely due to aging or inadequate sleep; high levels of uric acid could be a factor. Photo Credit: Freepik

[{"selector":"#anim-e57e2fed-9424-4ac1-9083-1f259aab1f9a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2d1c0d57-e10b-48b1-a27c-6c9f639a8a35","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Uric acid is a waste product formed when your body breaks down purines. When it builds up, it can crystallize in joints, causing discomfort, especially in the morning. Photo Credit: Freepik

Signs Uric Acid Might Be the Issue

[{"selector":"#anim-7b57efeb-efe0-4088-aacb-e795d31bd172","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc5f8059-052c-4b71-bab1-d0b71071b4a3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0dee990c-725a-48be-b5fa-b5cf7e83364c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-707d9778-5f1d-4275-be54-0c39facf71a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 440.63038%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] – Joint stiffness (especially in toes, ankles, or knees) – Swelling and redness – Sudden, sharp joint pain – Morning discomfort that improves during the day Photo Credit: Freepik

Lifestyle Factors That Raise Uric Acid

[{"selector":"#anim-b860d28d-e3e6-490a-a2a0-5fe3af3301c0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-99746a93-0cb9-4a23-87b4-14c878d1c315","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-63a5b8ba-6705-4652-bd3c-2cd2ec821503","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-210bf510-d15d-47f6-9839-fce3f4807496","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 422.7199%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Excess sugar -Alcohol -Dehydration or low water intake -Obesity or sedentary lifestyle Photo Credit: Freepik

What You Can Do

[{"selector":"#anim-4bed3d56-860c-4df3-984e-da7b6e5a86a8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-29920be4-249f-423d-97d0-a08e6e9cedec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21f8d3ab-3908-410b-b022-ec34bcd504ff","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-49cd6b61-8767-46b2-afb9-5a831414d08d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 645.06201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] – Stay hydrated to help flush out excess uric acid – Limit purine-rich foods like red meat, organ meats, and alcohol Photo Credit: Freepik

Also Try This

[{"selector":"#anim-76d595a2-49e7-47df-9690-81947a2f3a79","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c8c36d61-dc0f-46b8-9cfc-b5ffd4dfe030","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-083b0b32-19bf-495e-b478-53c299cb4839","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-72eb16ec-b920-4075-a35e-17da23995103","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 645.06201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] – Add more veggies, cherries, and whole grains to your diet – Maintain a healthy weight and move regularly Photo Credit: Freepik

Remember

[{"selector":"#anim-e59abf48-54f7-4aa6-a9b3-1933e48d5a6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47f9c3f4-61a6-4199-8ce1-9daae6508873","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.34473%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6282b3e3-ca4d-496d-a82b-ee1e760df928","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3b90576d-db04-4aef-9f36-455b94ec7dea","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 778.3954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] This content is for informational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment if you're experiencing joint pain or related symptoms. Photo Credit: Freepik