Extreme Fatigue And Sore Joints

Joint Pain And Fatigue What Could Be The Possibilities

Fatigue is usually characterized by extreme tiredness that even rest and relaxation cannot cure. A number of factors are responsible for fatigue, including conditions that cause joint pain.

It is important to note that different people have different pain thresholds. However, constant pain brought on by sore or damaged joints cause fatigue in most people. The diseases responsible for fatigue as a result of joint pain include fibromyalgia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Joints can swell or become inflamed while performing certain activities. It can also lead to a chronic condition. The physical and emotional energy required to relieve the joint pain and continue with everyday activities tends to contribute to the fatigue. Painful joints will also prevent a patient from getting a good nights rest. Without good sleep, fatigue will be a natural consequence.

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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Treatment For Muscle And Joint Pain

In case you dont have any other symptoms that would indicate having one of the conditions described below consider using some homemade treatments to ease the pain.

Here is what you can do to relieve muscle discomfort:

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Rare Causes Of Muscle Weakness

Certain rare conditions can cause muscle weakness:

• Dermatomyositis: Dermatomyositis is an inflammatory myopathy, or muscle disorder, that also causes skin irritation and rash. Due to the inflammation that develops with dermatomyositis, muscle tissue can break down, causing pain and weakness.
• Rheumatoid arthritis : RA is an inflammatory, autoimmune form of arthritis that causes progressive joint inflammation and damage, leaving joints painful and stiff and causing muscle weakness around affected joints.
• Sarcoidosis: Sarcoidosis is a systemic, inflammatory condition of unknown cause with symptoms like arthritis, joint pain, and sarcoid myopathy, which is characterized by muscle weakness, pain, and fatigue.
• Secondary hyperparathyroidism: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, or excessive parathyroid hormones, is a common complication of kidney disease. Secondary hyperparathyroidism can cause joint pain and muscle weakness as increased parathyroid hormone levels contribute to muscle protein breakdown.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus : SLE is a systemic, autoimmune condition that causes a skin rash and joint inflammation. It also causes myalgia and myositis , leading to muscle weakness.

Fact: A Short Nap Is The Best Solution

According to the National Sleep Foundation, pulling over for a short nap is the most effective way to restore alertness on the road. Park in a safe, well-lit area. Set your watch or phone to wake you up in 15. Then let yourself really wake up before you get back on the road. Longer naps can increase grogginess and disorientation. If you plan to nap longer than half an hour, it may be best to stop for the night.

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Genetic Conditions Affecting Muscles

Muscular dystrophies: these are inherited diseases which affect muscles. They are rare disorders but the best known and most common is Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This occurs in children and leads to gradual loss of muscle power from toddler-hood.

Some rare muscular dystrophies: these can present in adulthood and include Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and the facioscapulohumeral dystrophies. They also cause gradual loss of power and function in muscles. Those who have these conditions may become wheelchair-bound.

Sarcoidosis: this is a rare disease in which clumps of cells form in skin, lungs and soft tissues, including muscles. The condition usually goes away after a few years.

Amyloidosis involves deposits of an unhelpful abnormal protein called amyloid throughout the body, including muscles and kidneys.

Other rare causes: direct damage to muscles can occur in rare inherited metabolic conditions. Examples include:

• Glycogen storage diseases .
• Even rarer, mitochondrial diseases which occur when the energy systems inside muscle cells dont work properly.

Myotonic dystrophy: this is a rare genetic muscle disorder in which muscles become extremely tired. Myotonic dystrophies are passed down through families and they tend to occur earlier and become worse as they move through the generations.

Fighting Back Against Ra And Fatigue

The best way to combat RA is to seek prompt treatment at the first signs of a problem. Through medications that control the inflammation, you can also control your fatigue.

Aside from managing your RA, there are steps that you can take on your own to bring up your energy levels. For example, we know that exercise may be the farthest thing from your mind when your joints are in pain and youre exhausted, but its a great remedy for fatigue. Low impact activities can get your joints moving, which relieves inflammation and boosts your energy levels.

As well, we suggest that you avoid napping during the day. Instead, stick to a normal sleep regimen in which you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Finally, we recommend that you limit your caffeine. While caffeine can give you an immediate burst of energy, it tends to leave you more fatigued after the effects have worn off.

If youre sick and tired of RA fatigue getting in the way of your ability to lead a happy and productive life, pleasecontact one of our offices in Hartsdale or Staten Island, New York, to get the treatments and recommendations you need.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain, inflamed joints

Rheumatoid arthritis , a type of inflammatory arthritis, is another cause of excessive fatigue. Because joint damage can result in disability, early and aggressive treatment is the best approach for rheumatoid arthritis.

Medications that may be used early in mild RA include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

Other drugs used in more serious forms of RA include the anti-cytokine therapies , as well as shots and other forms of treatment.

Other autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Sjogrenâs disease, may also cause fatigue.

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> > > Best Joint Pain Solution Available

Over-the-counter pain medication and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective for moderate and severe cases. However, some cases of osteoarthritis dont respond well to these medications, and doctors will usually advise patients to seek medical advice before having surgery. If osteoarthritis is not yet severe enough, doctors will often prescribe over-the-counter medication to help reduce pain. In the worst-case scenario, they may prescribe a special drug to alleviate the symptoms.

In the case of severe cases, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation in the affected joints. Repeated corticosteroids, however, can be damaging to cartilage. For severe cases, the doctor may prescribe joint replacement. This is a surgical procedure that replaces the damaged joint surfaces with artificial ones. It is often an expensive and lengthy procedure, but it will reduce the pain and improve the function of the joint.

As with other types of osteoarthritis, MIV-711 has the potential to reverse or slow down the progression of the disease. The drug has also shown promise in reducing the progression of osteoarthritis. In addition, MIV-711 has the potential to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the affected joints. This drug has been developed in a laboratory and is currently being tested on a clinical trial in patients with the condition.

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Is It Possible That I Have Pots And Was Incorrectly Diagnosed

This is entirely possible. Given how common POTS symptoms are and how unfamiliar many doctors are with this condition, diagnostic mishaps happen. POTS is frequently misidentified as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, anxiety disorder, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, myositis, etc. It is also possible that you have both POTS and one of these conditions, which may complicate the diagnosis. Sometimes people with POTS are told that its all in your head, implying that the cause of their symptoms is psychological. If you feel like something is physically wrong, dont hesitate to seek a second, and even a third or fourth opinion.

COVID-19 and POTS: Is There a Link?

Although many people recover quickly from COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, others who recover may continue to experience symptoms for months. Researchers are still determining the cause of these extended symptoms, but some COVID-19 âlong-haulersâ may actually be dealing with POTS.

Chronic Fatigue Symptoms & Its Relation To Joint Pain

Obviously, the most prevalent symptom of this condition is fatigue, but theres more to it than just that. Many people who have this disorder also experience muscle and joint pain, enlarged lymph nodes, sore throat, memory loss, poor sleep, low-grade fever, and headaches.8,9,10 Since this is a disorder that typically goes on for many months or even years, chronic fatigue is also known to lead to depression.

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Fatigue Is Different Than Feeling Tired

Fatigue is different than ordinary tiredness. Fatigue is disruptive and interferes with all aspects of daily living. About 10 million healthcare provider visits each year are attributed to fatigue, and many of those are tied to arthritis-related conditions.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 98 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 50 percent of people with lupus or Sjogrens syndrome report fatigue. The percentage escalates with obesity and depression, and complications of secondary conditions such as fibromyalgia, lung conditions, and cardiovascular problems.

People often feel that fatigue is inadequately addressed during healthcare provider visits, likely because there is no quick fix. The impact of fatigue is significant. Many people describe its effect on their lives as greater than pain. Fatigue is extreme weariness, overwhelming exhaustion, a feeling of being wiped-out, and having no energyeven after a nights sleep. Fatigue affects your ability to think, and its unrelenting presence can cause emotions to change quickly.

Here are 10 tips for fighting fatigue. Talk with your healthcare provider and make sure all of these issues have been addressed.

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.

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Inflammatory Bowel Disease As A Cause Of Joint Pain And Fatigue

IBD can include Crohns disease as well as ulcerative colitis . They are both chronic conditions that affect the digestive system.

Ulcerative Colitis leads to inflammation in the large intestine. Crohns results in sores and ulcerations in the gastrointestinal tract.

Some of the common symptoms of IBD include joint pain and fatigue. With the onset of chronic inflammation, the digestive tract can get infected or damaged with ulcerations, abscesses and fistulas. This leads to rectal bleeding and diarrhea.

IBD can also have life-threatening perforations of the intestines. In fact, hemorrhages may require emergency blood transfusions and surgery.

Inflammatory bowel disease may look different in different patients. It can be quite difficult to diagnose because people will confuse IBS with diarrhea or constipation. However, it cannot be called an autoimmune disease.

A Vitamin Or Nutrient Deficiency

A vitamin deficiency, such as not getting enough vitamin D or vitamin B12, could cause you to feel severely tired, per the Cleveland Clinic. Dehydration can have the same effect.

You could also feel suddenly exhausted if youve recently started a high-protein diet. Its not the protein itself making you tired, but the lack of carbohydrates. Severely restricting carbs causes your body to enter ketosis, where it breaks down fat for energy, per the Mayo Clinic. The side effects of ketosis include fatigue as well as headache, weakness and bad breath.

These side effects are usually temporary, but if ketosis is causing your sudden energy crash, you may want to add more fiber-rich, complex carbohydrates to your diet, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend carbs make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily calories.

Similarly, skipping meals or following a very low-calorie diet could sap your energy. Keep in mind that people assigned female at birth should avoid eating fewer than 1,200 calories per day, and people assigned male at birth should eat at least 1,500 calories per day, according to Harvard Health Publishing.

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What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue

Many physical and mental illnesses, as well as lifestyle factors, can cause your fatigue, and that can make it hard to diagnose. In some cases, it might be something simple and easy to fix, like havingcaffeine at bedtime. But other causes, like heart disease or COPD, are serious, and you may need to start long-term treatment right away.

Your doctor can help you sift through your health issues, as well as diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits, in order to zero in on the cause and help you on the road to recovery.

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Symptoms Of Fatigue In Inflammatory Arthritis

Just like there are many causes of fatigue, there are also many symptoms that may indicate what you have is inflammatory arthritis-related fatigue. Its very subjective and not quantifiable with a lab or measurable outcome, which is why fatigue can feel so frustrating and overwhelming, says Dr. Cohen. You cant quantify it, but you know its not normal.

Heres a look at some of the key symptoms to discuss with your health care team:

Extreme tiredness

Dr. Khattri says that while symptoms of fatigue and feeling tired do overlap, fatigue is often at the extreme end. You feel like you have no control.

With normal tired you know sleep can fix it, says CreakyJoints community member Lel. Fatigue decides when its over youre just a helpless bystander.

Change in energy levels

While some patients wake up feeling fatigue, others experience sudden, overwhelming changes in energy levels and simply hit a wall.

RA fatigue stops me in my tracks. I feel myself fading out suddenly, then I have to rest . It feels like sandbags dropped on me, says CreakyJoints community member Kristina H. It hits me around the same time every day, or sometimes I wake up knowing its going to be a low energy day.

Increase in flares

Poor sleep

Research shows that poor sleep can make the symptoms of fatigue worse, increasing sensitivity to pain, irritability, and making it that much harder to concentrate, says Dr. Cohen.

Brain fog

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Underactive Thyroid And Fatigue

Symptoms: Extreme fatigue, sluggishness, feeling run-down, depression, cold intolerance, weight gain

The problem may be a slow or underactive thyroid. This is known as hypothyroidism. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland that sits at the base of your neck. It helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy.

According to the American Thyroid Foundation, about 17% of all women will have a thyroid disorder by age 60. And most wonât know it. The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder known as Hashimotoâs thyroiditis. Hashimotoâs stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. The result is hypothyroidism, or a slow metabolism.

Blood tests known as T3 and T4 will detect thyroid hormones. If these hormones are low, synthetic hormones can bring you up to speed, and you should begin to feel better fairly rapidly.

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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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How Is Lupus Treated

Treatment for lupus depends on the organs involved. There is no cure for it, but treatment can help control symptoms. Often, a patient with lupus has a health care team with specialists such as:

• a rheumatologist

Medicines can help lower the risk of flare-ups and improve symptoms. Someone with lupus may take:

• corticosteroids to control inflammation
• immunosuppressive drugs to lower the bodys immune response
• antimalarial drugs to help treat skin rashes and joint pain
• acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for joint and muscle pain

Doctors may also recommend that people with lupus:

• Avoid the sun as much as possible and wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outside to help reduce the number of flare-ups.
• Get regular exercise to help with tiredness and joint stiffness.

What Are The Symptoms Of Long Covid

According to Dr. Gumrukcu, the most common symptoms of long COVID are fatigue, brain fog and memory issues, headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.

heart symptoms like irregular heartbeat, and tinnitus, , he says.

Some of the above symptoms, like feeling short of breath and experiencing chronic chest pain and cough, can also add to an inability to handle exercise, even if you feel like youre not even working that hard. So thats something else to keep in mind if you have big goals on tap like completing a marathon, the last thing you want to do is try to bounce back too hard after having Covid.

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