Other Sources Of Fatigue
Your fatigue is not always directly related to your arthritis disease activity, inflammation or pain. In fact according to a 2017 study published inCurrent Rheumatology Reports your fatigue level probably has more to do with other contributing factors, including obesity, physical inactivity, sleep disturbance and depression. Several of them may work together to cause your extreme tiredness, but identifying and treating even one of these factors can provide relief.
Managing Pain
Causes Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
It can be very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of a patients chronic fatigue syndrome because the symptoms can be triggered by a wide variety of factors.2,3,4,5 For example, some sufferers report that a viral infection seemed to lead to their chronic fatigue syndrome, which has led some researchers to believe that certain viruses may cause it.6 Immune system disorders may lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as hormonal imbalances in the adrenal and pituitary glands.7Stress that is not controlled and managed can lead to a worsening of chronic fatigue symptoms too.
How Can I Help Myself
There are a number of things you can do to help manage your fatigue.
Planning your time wisely to spread your energy over the course of a day or week can help. Its also important to factor some gentle exercise into your day and to have a healthy diet.
Theres a strong link between getting enough good quality sleep and fatigue. And there are several positive steps you can take to improve your chances of sleeping well.
Stress and worry can make your fatigue feel worse, so its a good idea to spot anything that is causing you stress and try to deal with them in good time.
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What Questions Might A Healthcare Provider Ask To Help Diagnose An Autoimmune Disease
When your healthcare provider interviews you, they might ask you one or more of the following questions:
- What medications are you taking?
- What are your symptoms?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Have you had to go to the emergency department because of your symptoms?
- How long have you had these symptoms?
- In what ways are your symptoms affecting your quality of life?
- Is there anything that triggers your symptoms? Anything that makes them worse?
- Is there a history of autoimmune diseases in your family?
- Which autoimmune diseases run in your family?
- What over-the-counter or alternative medicines have you tried, if any?
Treatment For Joint Pain
Altering the intensity and type of your activities is often beneficial for joint pain. Consider switching to gentle, low-impact exercise. Many patients also find temporary relief from non-prescription anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen.
Ice has long been recognised for its help with joint pain. Application of cold packs can soothe irritated joints by dulling pain and reducing swelling. We apply this concept with our high-tech, safe whole body cryotherapy treatments.
Cryotherapy uses intense cold to lessen the pain of sore or strained muscles and joints. Cryotherapy also stimulates collagen and amino acid production, two major anti-inflammatory agents. A single treatment lasts only a few minutes but produces profound effects. Give whole body cryotherapy a try for a non-invasive method of improving joint pain and allowing you to continue an active lifestyle.
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When You Ache All Over
Muscle pain that affects a small part of your body is usually caused by overuse sore arms from lifting boxes all day, for example. Or it could be a minor injury, like a bruised shoulder after a fall. But when you ache all over your body, itâs more likely caused by an infection, illness, or medicine youâve taken.
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What Are The Best Treatments
At this time, there is no cure for fibromyalgia. However, there are ways to manage the pain and other symptoms. Pain management specialists understand the full range of pain relief options, including how to use them in combination to achieve a successful outcome.
Physician anesthesiologists specialize in pain control, and some focus their practices on treating patients with chronic pain. Ask your doctor about a referral to a physician anesthesiologist who specializes in treating chronic pain.
Treatment options generally fall into three categories: medicines, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies. Most patients do best when they use components from all three options. Patients may also need to try different medications to find the one that is the most effective for them.
Medicines
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
- Muscle relaxants
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What You Need To Know About Joint Pain Severe Muscle And Joint Pain With Fatigue
You should seek medical attention for any pain you experience. If the pain is caused by an infection, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your pain is more intense, you can try heating or applying ice to the joint. Alternatively, you can also try applying heat to the affected area. To relieve the pain, you should stay away from the activities that cause you to have joint pain. A doctor can prescribe you dietary supplements, such as glucosamine, that are effective in reducing your symptoms.
If you fall or are hit on the leg and notice any swelling or deformity in your knee, you should seek medical attention. If you cant put weight on your leg, it could be a sign of a more serious ailment. If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately. The most important thing to do is to be patient and do not panic. The pain you experience is normal and is not related to any other health problems.
Fibromyalgia As A Cause Of Joint Pain And Fatigue
If you havent heard of Fibromyalgia yet, you will be surprised to learn that it causes joint pain and fatigue. It can be termed as a condition that is characterized by fatigue and pain in the joints. While there be little or absolutely no swelling or inflammation in your joints, those plagued by fibromyalgia have reported of severe pain in the neck and shoulder joints. As the condition worsens over time, the pain spreads to the entire body and in the process produces burning, sore or stiff muscles and joints. The fatigue fibromyalgia patients feel can be more debilitating than joint pain. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia say that they suffer from a lack of energy, minimized endurance levels and exhaustion, which is typically seen in people who are down with a bad case of the flu. These people also tend to feel tired after waking up from a good nights sleep.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis: Living And Dealing With Fatigue
People with rheumatoid arthritis typically have several permanently inflamed joints. The inflammation inside the body can lead to general physical weakness, drowsiness and exhaustion. This feeling of extreme tiredness is also called “.” Some people find this to be the worst symptom of the disease.
Other typical symptoms are joint pain and swelling, and also joint stiffness and physical weakness later on. Non-specific symptoms like exhaustion often start earlier on in the disease. But the symptoms and course of rheumatoid arthritis can vary greatly. People also deal with the disease in different ways. Although people experience their symptoms differently and cope with the disease in different ways, there are some things that many people with rheumatoid arthritis have in common.
Hypothyroidism Tends To Make People Feel Sluggish
Hypothyroidism tends to make people feel tired, sluggish, and depressed.
It is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Inflammation of the thyroid gland is the most common cause. Other symptoms may include hair loss, depression, heavier menstrual periods, weakness, unintentional weight gain and being more sensitive to cold.
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Options For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
Although there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome and no medications that exist specifically to treat it, there are ways to manage the symptoms and keep them bearable. Since one of the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is joint pain, it is helpful for many chronic pain sufferers to use a topical cream such as JointFlex to reduce achy muscles and joint symptoms that occur with this condition. Cognitive counseling may help patients regain control of their lives by managing fatigue and joint pain symptoms.2,5,6 It is also recommended that chronic fatigue patients consult a physical therapist to find exercises that are safe to perform and that get the body moving to fight fatigue, boost energy and relieve joint pain. Simple stretching exercises and range-of-motion workouts are very effective in helping individuals overcome chronic fatigue and have enough energy to do the activities they love.
The Most Common Causes Of Muscle Pain
Not all aches are related to stress or physical activity. As stated above, some medical conditions can cause muscle pain. For example:
Fibromyalgia
In case you have pain on both sides of your body that lasts longer than three months, it might be a sign of fibromyalgia. It is a long-term condition that can cause pain in muscles, general fatigue, sleep and cognitive disturbances. Other symptoms of this condition include headaches, dry eyes, anxiety, pain in the lower belly, and bladder problems.
Keep in mind that only professional healthcare providers can make a diagnosis. If you notice the symptoms of fibromyalgia, make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible and get the right treatment on time.
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Never Ignore Chronic Body Aches & Fatigue
Chronic body aches and fatigue can affect anyone- no matter what your age- and can be a quite stressful experience.
Some of the most common body aches include neck/back pain, muscle pain, headaches, and joint pain. In addition, there is neuropathic pain, which is a condition that results in a malfunction of the nervous system.
Chronic body aches and fatigue can be a serious medical condition that needs medical attention and should never be ignored.
Following are some of the most common causes of body aches and fatigue that you should be aware of.
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Physical Or Emotional Trauma
A few people report that they encountered a physical issue, medical procedure or significant emotional stress shortly before their manifestations started.
Fatigue can be a side effect of numerous ailments, for example, infections or psychological disorders. In general, in case you have excessive or persistent weariness, visit your doctor.
Every individual has various symptoms and hence may require different kinds of treatment to deal with the issue and ease their indications. Work with your group of healthcare providers to make the best therapy plan for you. They can go over the potential advantages and side effects of the treatments with you. Take into consideration that sometimes even a 5-minutes daily workout can boost your mood and rejuvenate you even when you feel tired.
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Lupus Vs Rheumatoid Arthritis
A complex autoimmune disease, lupus can cause a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity, making it challenging to diagnose. Many people refer to lupus by its full medical name, systemic lupus erythematosus .
How is it similar to RA? One of the most common symptoms of lupus is pain and swelling in the hands, knees, and other joints. People often report fatigue, fever, and a general feeling of being unwell.
See Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms
How is it different? A person with lupus may find it painful to take a deep breath. He or she may have sensitivity to light, hair loss, mouth sores, and/or a skin rash, particularly over the face. Digestive difficulties and neurological problems, such as headaches and tingling, are also possible.
Cause Of Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica produces inflammation and swelling in the larger joints of the body, such as the shoulders and hips, and in the tissues around these joints. The inflammation is due to the immune system attacking the membranes lining the joint , but the reason for this is unknown. Genetics and environmental factors are believed to play a role.
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How Do People Cope With Exhaustion
Many people gradually come to learn how to regulate their energy better and to accept the changes associated with the condition. They pay more attention to their bodys signals and then adjust what kinds of activities they do based on their symptoms.
As well as the phases where the arthritis gets much worse, there are also periods where its possible to live a quite normal life. It often helps to start seeing the condition as a part of your life and to set new goals that you can still achieve anyway. Some people say that the disease has helped them to live their lives more consciously.
Many mention in interviews that theyve discovered practical ways of dealing with :
- Learn to say no sometimes
- Dont plan to do too much at once
- Reconsider and adapt your goals
- Plan activities carefully, take your time, spread out demanding tasks across the week.
- Take breaks before you become too exhausted
- Get to bed early, take naps and learn relaxation techniques
- Avoid going out at busy times of the day, for instance when you go shopping or on a trip
- Talk with others about your disease so that they can better understand how it affects you
- Talk to others who have rheumatoid arthritis so that you can learn from their experiences
Fact: Caffeine Provides A Mild Boost
Whether in the form of coffee, soft drinks, or gum, caffeine can briefly increase alertness. Keep in mind that the effect takes about 30 minutes to kick in, so you may want to pull over and rest until you perk up. This temporary fix has its limits caffeine canât overcome severe fatigue and may have little impact on regular coffee drinkers.
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Lupus As A Cause Of Joint Pain And Fatigue
Lupus can be best described as a rheumatic disease that results from an abnormality in the immune system. The disease also causes joint and muscle pain as it becomes progressively worse. The disease is diagnosed after a person goes through a period of severe fatigue, weight loss and weakness. It is also accompanied by a rash on the face. A person affected by Lupus tends to feel joint pain in the hands, elbows, wrists and knees first. A person will experience swollen or warm joints. This apart, the joints tend to be stiff when a person wakes up in the morning. Some people afflicted by lupus also tend to suffer from joint pain and chronic fatigue, while others will experience periodic flare-ups of the existing symptoms.
Fatigue Cause No : Anemia
Anemia is one of the leading causes of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency, putting women at risk. Red blood cells are needed because they carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
Fix: For anemia caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal, can help.
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What Causes Extreme Muscle And Joint Pain
Tension, chronic stress, and minor injuries can result in extreme muscle and joint pain. This type of pain is usually localized and can affect a few parts of the body at the same time.
Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bursitis, strains, and gout can also lead to painful joints.
According to the latest research, joint pain is pretty common in adults. Every fourth person reports having it. If you are one of them, here is what you need to know about muscle pain and its treatment:
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If your joint pain is caused by a sports injury or a serious condition, visit a doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes, joint pain is referred by other parts of the body. For example, a slipped disc in the back can cause leg pain, a condition known as sciatica. So, its important to visit a doctor as soon as possible. You can take a medication that will relieve your symptoms. Autoimmune Dosease That Cause Stomach Pain Joint Pain And Dizziness
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How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed
Because fibromyalgia is a cluster of different symptoms, its not always easy to diagnose.
Theres no specific test for fibromyalgia. So doctors might do tests to rule out other conditions or problems. For example, feeling very tired can be a sign of a thyroid problem. So a doctor may do thyroid tests. If the tests show a persons thyroid is normal, the doctor will know something else is causing the problem.
A doctor will ask about a persons medical history and symptoms, and do an exam. If there is no sign of other health problems, and the patient has had widespread pain for at least 3 months, doctors may decide its fibromyalgia.
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can take a while . That can get pretty frustrating. Dont give up. You may need to find a doctor who has experience with the condition.
Lupus And The Muscles
Lupus often causes myalgia, or aches and pains in the muscles. Less often, lupus can cause myositis, or inflammation in the muscles usually in the hips, thighs, shoulders, and upper arms.
The most common symptom of myositis is muscle weakness. When you have lupus myositis, it can be hard to do things like stand up out of a chair or raise your arms.
Some medicines used to treat lupus, like steroids, can also cause muscle weakness. This side effect usually goes away when you stop taking the medicine that caused it. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medications prescribed to you.
Lupus and the bones
Many patients with lupus develop osteoporosis . Other bone problems like avascular necrosis are less common than joint and muscle problems. These problems can be serious, especially for people who take high doses of steroids to treat lupus.
Osteoporosis
Lupus raises your risk for osteoporosis, a bone disease that makes bones weak and more likely to break. Other things that make osteoporosis more likely include:
- Taking steroids as part of your lupus treatment
- Being less physically active when lupus causes pain and fatigue
- Having low levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood
- Having a family history of osteoporosis
- Lupus nephritis
- Being older
Avascular Necrosis
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