Chronic Joint Pain And Fatigue

Fatigue Is Always A Sign Of A Serious Medical Condition

At some point, nearly everyone suffers from fatigue. In most cases, it’s acute fatigue — fatigue that occurs suddenly but lasts less than three months and is usually caused by lifestyle or environmental factors such as physical exertion, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, or inadequate diet. In most cases, it’s easily treated by addressing the cause: by reducing stress getting more rest, sleep, or better nutrition or hydrating properly.

Chronic fatigue lasts longer — for more than a few months — and it’s more likely to be associated with an underlying medical condition.

How Can I Improve My Quality Of Life

• Get physically active. Experts recommend that adults be moderately physically active for 150 minutes per week. Walk, swim, or bike 30 minutes a day for five days a week. These 30 minutes can be broken into three separate ten-minute sessions during the day. Regular physical activity can also reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Learn more about physical activity for arthritis. You can exercise on your own or participate in a CDC-recommended physical activity program.
• Go to recommended physical activity programs. Those concerned about how to safely exercise can participate in physical activity programs that are proven effective for reducing pain and disability related to arthritis and improving mood and the ability to move. Classes take place at local Ys, parks, and community centers. These classes can help you feel better. Learn more about CDC-recommended physical activity programs.
• Join a self-management education class, which helps people with arthritis or other conditionsincluding fibromyalgiabe more confident in how to control their symptoms, how to live well and understand how the condition affects their lives. Learn more about the CDC-recommended self-management education programs.

How To Entrain Your Biological Rhythms

Strengthening zeitgebers during the day can improve nighttime sleep and also daytime energy, mood and performance. We can curb our chronotype — whether fast or slow thus modifying individual genetic propensity by what we do, how we do it, and when we do it.

Take Breaks

Breaks can restore focus and thus productivity to normal levels despite natural ebbs and flows. A break could be beneficial before or at the time of an expected dip, such as mid-afternoon, in order to restore mental focus. Regular short breaks can be scheduled every hour just as many secondary education classes have a 10-minute break every 50 minutes of lecture.

What you do during the break does matter. Going from your computer to phone will do little for restoring brain function. Completely and quite literally unplugging from work is ideal and maximize the break time by including these three elements: change of scenery to include nature, movement, and socializing.9, 14 If you cannot have all of them, go for one or two. Look for green spaces with plants and trees or at least where you can see the sky. If you cannot get away for a quick walk, stop and say hello to a colleague. Dont feel like chatting? Walk up and down the stairwell listening to your favorite music.

Time important tasks

Increase natural light exposure

Limit screen time

Move more

Eat regular meals and time your caffeine

Sleep on it and wake up the same time every day

Practice low and slow breathing

Have fun and find meaning

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What Is The Difference Between Fibromyalgia And Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is similar to fibromyalgia, but there are important differences in symptoms and treatment. One big difference is that myosfascial pain is confined to a specific area and is associated with trigger points. For more information, see the Made for This Moment myofascial pain syndrome page.

A person can have both fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. That makes it especially important to consult with a medical specialist who can diagnose the difference and apply the proper treatments for each condition.

Data Collection And Management

Demographics, radiographs, and data on previously used treatment modalities concerning knee and/or hip OA and data on symptoms were obtained in all patients. Questionnaires were collected at baseline and after 12 weeks.

Statistics

Statistical analyses were performed using STATA/IC 10.1 for Windows. In patients with incomplete baseline or follow-up data, multiple imputations were performed using regression modelling to replace missing values. Descriptive statistics were provided. Levels of fatigue before and after 12 weeks of treatment were compared using a 2-test , a paired t-test or Wilcoxons signed-rank test . The subscale CIS fatigue was divided into three classes as mentioned previously. Effect sizes were, when applicable, calculated using the following formula: difference between mean before and mean after the intervention divided by the s.d. of the variable.

Although pain and physical function were relatively highly correlated , the variance inflation factor indicated no problematic multicollinearity .

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Nerve Conditions Which Damage Muscles

Conditions affecting nerves tend to lead to true muscle weakness. This is because if the nerve to a muscle fibre stops working, the muscle fibre cant work either and it will become floppy and eventually shrivel.

Neurological conditions: muscle weakness can be caused by cerebrovascular disease such as stroke and brain haemorrhage and spinal injury. Tumours in the brain can also lead to muscle weakness. Muscles which become partially or completely paralysed lose their normal strength and will eventually waste. Some recovery is possible but it will be slow and may not be complete.

Spine-related conditions: when nerves are damaged as they emerge from the spine , weakness can result. When the discs slip out, they press on nerves headed lower down in the body. The weakness affects only the muscles served by the irritated or compressed nerve.

Other uncommon nerve conditions:Multiple sclerosis : this is caused by damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord and can cause sudden paralysis. This can recover partially but does not always do so.

Guillain-Barré syndrome: this is a post-viral paralysing disease which causes weakness and loss of muscle function from the fingers and toes upwards. It may last many months, although complete recovery is usual.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica And Giant Cell Arteritis

Some people with polymyalgia rheumatica experience giant cell arteritis . Giant cell arteritis involves painful inflammation of the blood vessels of the skull. Symptoms include:

• severe headache
• pain in the side of your jaw or face when chewing
• temples are tender to touch
• scalp tenderness.

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms. If not treated promptly, giant cell arteritis can cause damage to the arteries of the eye, which can lead to blindness.

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Multiple Sclerosis As A Cause Of Joint Pain And Fatigue

Multiple sclerosis affects the immune system by attacking the brain, optic nerves and spinal cord, say experts.

The disease also destroys myelin, the sheath that protects and covers the nerves. This hinders signals between the brain and the body. This can results in numbness, pain and tremors common symptoms of the disease.

In fact, MS can resemble lupus as well as Lyme disease. It can also cause fatigue and joint pain. One of the common symptoms include numbness and a tingling sensation.

Studies suggest that a majority of Americans have MS with the diseases affecting people between 20-40 years. Women are more likely to fall prey to MS as opposed to men.

Exercise Can Worsen The Symptoms Of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Stndrome

While exercise can be helpful for more common forms of fatigue, the relationship of exercise to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is much more complex. Exercise can, in fact, temporarily worsen the symptoms of CFS — a phenomenon sometimes referred to as “post-exertional malaise” or “payback.” This can strike ME/CFS patients about 12 to 48 hours after exercise and make their symptoms worse for days or even weeks.

Even so, ME/CFS patients are not discouraged from exercising. A carefully structured and balanced program of exercise can, over time, help build stamina. Not exercising can cause deconditioning, which can make symptoms worse.

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Is There A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Test

Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnosis since the symptoms are shared with many other health conditions too.2,5,6 Unfortunately, there is no single chronic fatigue syndrome test that yet exists. Instead, it is usually necessary for a physician to rule out the possibility of other diseases, such as sleep disorders and heart disease, before arriving at a final diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Key Points About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by profound tiredness.
• Symptoms often worsen with physical or mental activity.
• In addition to severe fatigue, symptoms include light sensitivity, headache, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and depression.
• Treatments may include medicines, exercise, supplements, and counseling.

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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 body’s 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 it’s 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 they’ve discovered practical ways of dealing with :

• Learn to say “no” sometimes
• Don’t 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

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.

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What Causes Back Pain

Back pain is a common complaint, especially among adults. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, there are several potential causes of back pain.

Aging is one of the most common risk factors, as people may begin to experience back pain between the ages of 30 and 40. It is also a more prevalent issue among those who are not physically fit. Another risk factor is being overweight, which stresses the back and leads to pain. There are also hereditary factors, such as ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that can impact the spine. Back pain may also be caused by diseases such as cancer and arthritis.

Pain in the lower back is particularly common and is one of the leading reasons for people to go to the doctor or to stay home from work. Back pain can occur in acute or chronic forms. Acute pain is pain that begins suddenly and that typically lasts for six weeks or less. Chronic pain is more prolonged, such as pain lasting longer than three months. Chronic pain is less common than acute pain. It is possible for acute back pain to improve without treatment, depending on the underlying cause. You may find that taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin can help to reduce your back pain.

There are several potential causes of back pain, including specific problems related to certain conditions or diseases:

Get A Good Nights Sleep

Its important to try to get a good nights rest because poor sleep patterns can cause fatigue or make it worse.

If youre having trouble sleeping, or you regularly wake up feeling unrefreshed, it would probably help to look at ways you might be able to sleep better. Healthcare professionals talk about a principle called sleep hygiene, which covers things you can do to improve your chances of getting a good nights sleep.

Too much sleep can also cause fatigue. Thinking about what a good nights sleep means to you, can help. Your activity charts can tell you a lot about how youre sleeping.

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Six Possible Causes Of Body Aches And Fatigue: What To Know

Are you wondering why you are experiencing body aches and fatigue at the same time? Generally, body aches are common. When a person suffers from this, he or she can also experience other symptoms, such as pain in a particular body area, cold and flu-like symptoms, and fatigue. Hence, body aches and fatigue usually come together. Sometimes, these may also bring some dental pain. If that happens, you can visit Advanced Dental Care Dubbos services.

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia

The most common symptoms of fibromyalgia are

• Pain and stiffness all over the body
• Fatigue and tiredness
• Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration
• Headaches, including migraines

Other symptoms may include:

• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Pain in the face or jaw, including disorders of the jaw known as temporomandibular joint syndrome
• Digestive problems, such as abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and even irritable bowel syndrome

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The Real Clinical Problem

Physicians of all sorts receive referrals asking for advice on the management of patients with chronic pain and fatigue. Most requests go to rheumatologists, but neurology services are also in the frame, and, in the context of fatigue in particular, advice from colleagues in endocrine, infectious diseases and even cardiology or haematology clinics may be sought, depending often on associated symptoms and comorbidities, clinician preference and availability of appointments. There are huge variations in referral practices across the UK.

So, what happens when a patient is referred to rheumatology, for example? A typical referral letter is illustrated in Box Box1.1. There may be a number of outcomes:

What Are Common Symptoms Of Autoimmune Disease

Between taking care of yourself and family members and trying to manage a social life and career, its common for women to feel tired and achy. But are these symptoms of a stressful life, or could they be tied to an underlying condition like autoimmune disease?

Ana-Maria Orbai, M.D., M.H.S., is a rheumatologist at the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center. Rheumatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal diseases and autoimmune conditions . Orbai talks about how to recognize common autoimmune disease symptoms and when you should see a doctor.

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Getting Adequate Rest Can Fight Short

In most cases, chronic fatigue is not substantially improved by rest. Chronic fatigue often makes it more difficult to get adequate rest. Similarly, fatigue can interfere with sleep, resulting in unrefreshing sleep, difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakening, or sleep apnea.

Rest is unlikely to relieve fatigue caused by a medical condition.

When To See A Doctor

If youre experiencing any of the symptoms associated with either RA or fibromyalgia, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare professional. Even though these conditions share similar symptoms, the treatment and outlook for people with RA differ from those for people with fibromyalgia.

A doctor can help diagnose the condition and recommend the right treatment. Its also important to treat RA early because RA may lead to serious complications as it progresses.

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Role Of Inflammation In Altered Central Nervous System Activity

Stress was also associated with high levels of the pro-inflammatory intracellular transcription factors NFB and inhibitor of kB and modulated genome-wide expression levels . Thus, inflammation and depression seem to be linked, but which one affects the other is difficult to distinguish and probably there is an interaction between both.

Evaluation Of Pain In Many Joints

In evaluating joint pain, doctors first try to decide whether joint pain is caused by a disorder of the joints or a serious bodywide illness. Serious bodywide disorders may need specific immediate treatment. The following information can help people decide when to see a doctor and know what to expect during the evaluation.

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What Are The Complications Of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can cause pain, disability, and a lower quality of life. US adults with fibromyalgia may have complications such as:

• More hospitalizations. If you have fibromyalgia you are twice as likely to be hospitalized as someone without fibromyalgia.
• Lower quality of life. Women with fibromyalgia may experience a lower quality of life.
• Higher rates of major depression. Adults with fibromyalgia are more than 3 times more likely to have major depression than adults without fibromyalgia. Screening and treatment for depression are extremely important.
• Higher death rates from suicide and injuries. Death rates from suicide and injuries are higher among fibromyalgia patients, but overall mortality among adults with fibromyalgia is similar to the general population.
• Higher rates of other rheumatic conditions. Fibromyalgia often co-occurs with other types of arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and ankylosing spondylitis.