Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fatigue
Fatigue is a common co-factor in chronic illness as well as in chronic pain. With rheumatoid arthritis, both conditions apply and fatigue is so common that 98% of RA patients report it. There are many reasons for the fatigue and several strategies for dealing with it. Fatigue can be as disabling as joint problems for many patients.Fatigue can result directly from the RA itself. The autoimmune factors produce stress in the body and this is tiring. Any chronic illness commonly results in more fatigue than normal and RA is not an exception. The more active the disease is, the more profound the fatigue is likely to be. Fatigue is also common in other arthritic and rheumatic conditions such as lupus.
Affects of RA also may be more indirect causes of fatigue. RA can cause anemia, a shortage or decrease in quality of red blood cells. These cells carry oxygen to all body tissues, and when they are iron poor, too small, or too few in numbers, this means body cells are starved for oxygen and fatigue is the result with little or no exertion.
Another problem with RA is a loss of body weight and in particular in lean muscle mass. The source of energy for the body is stored in the muscles, and as muscle is lost, this storage capacity diminishes and there is greater fatigue and less ability to recover. The condition is called cachexia and is also sometimes called wasting. Treating the underlying disease and addressing nutritional needs aggressively can help deal with this condition and the fatigue that results from it.
With RA comes pain when the disease is active and even when it is not in damaged tissues. Chronic pain increases fatigue and makes all activities difficult, so good pain control is an important part of dealing with RA associated fatigue.
Stress also produces hormones and other chemicals in the body that contribute to fatigue. Many patients can be helped a great deal with stress reducing measures. This can include psychotherapy, guided imagery, yoga and meditation to reduce the stress and decrease feelings of fatigue.
Another measure to counteract fatigue in RA may seem to be contradictory. Exercise would seem to make a person tired, but the right kind helps to rebuild and maintain muscle mass which reduces fatigue. Exercise can also be very potent in stress reduction as well.
Being cautious about rest also helps. Getting enough sleep is important, and this means treating pain adequately so that it doesn’t interfere with sleeping. Other sleep problems such as sleep apnea also need to be correctly treated since they can also add to the fatigue that is experienced.
Resting too much can even be a problem. Unless a person has an infection or fever, there should not be more rest than activity of some kind in the course of a day. Of course, a doctor can advise RA patients if there are times that more rest is indicated.
The single most important part of controlling fatigue is the universal goal of controlling the activity of the rheumatoid arthritis itself. The more severe and active the disease, the more fatigue. While good control is essential to prevent damage to joints and other tissue, it is also the only sure way to eliminate excessive fatigue in RA.
Arthritis Foundation help with fatigue associated with RA:
www.arthritis.org/how-to-beat-fatigue-1.php
How RA therapies can help fight fatigue:
www.webmd.com/content/article/118/112820.htm
Dealing with RA fatigue:
www.hss.edu/conditions_14370.asp
About.com arthritis information on fatigue and treatments in RA: