Monday, March 25, 2024

What Diseases Cause Fatigue And Joint Pain

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How Does Me/cfs Affect People

Chronic fatigue? Joint pain? You may have Lyme disease .

ME/CFS affects different people in different ways, some more severely than others. There are four levels of severity of ME/CFS, which give an indication of the level of disability ME/CFS can create:

  • mild: 50% reduction in pre-illness activity
  • moderate: mostly housebound
  • severe: mostly bedridden
  • very severe: totally bedridden and need help with basic activities including nutrition and hydration.

The severity of ME/CFS can vary over time. A person living with ME/CFS could be at one level of severity now, then their disease could either improve or deteriorate over time. For some patients, their disease can worsen significantly with no known cause. Other patients have a fluctuating illness where they have better and worse periods, which last for months or years. It is unclear why this happens.

For most people, ME/CFS is a lifelong disease. Full recovery is rare and estimated at less than 10%. For some people with ME/CFS, as time passes and their disease improves, they will find they can do more, but it is a slow and gradual process. However, this is not the case for everyone. Some people find their disease worsens over time, others may remain somewhat stable. With support and pacing, people can often improve their quality of life.

How Is Fibromyalgia Treated

Fibromyalgia can be effectively treated and managed with medication and self-management strategies. You can learn about self-management strategies in the section below titled How can I improve my quality of life?

Fibromyalgia should be treated by a doctor or team of healthcare professionals who specialize in the treatment of fibromyalgia and other types of arthritis, called rheumatologists. Doctors usually treat fibromyalgia with a combination of treatments, which may include:

  • Medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers
  • Aerobic exercise and muscle strengthening exercise
  • Patient education classes, usually in primary care or community settings
  • Stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and massage
  • Good sleep habits to improve the quality of sleep
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy to treat underlying depression. CBT is a type of talk therapy meant to change the way people act or think

In addition to medical treatment, people can manage their fibromyalgia with the self-management strategies described below, which are proven to reduce pain and disability, so they can pursue the activities important to them.

Pacing Activity For People With Me/cfs

Pacing, or keeping within your available energy, is a self-management strategy to help people with ME/CFS make sure that they dont overdo activity or exercise. It reduces the likelihood of triggering PEM and can help reduce symptoms. Pacing is not a cure for ME/CFS and does not treat the underlying, physical cause of the disease.

The goal of pacing is for activity to be sustainable, so that the person can have some stability in their symptoms and what they can do each day. Pacing should be used in conjunction with rest.

The most challenging aspect of pacing is that PEM is very often delayed by as much as 24-48 hours, which can make it difficult to recognise when youve done too much. Using tools like an activity diary or heart rate monitor help you learn about your body and how much activity you can safely tolerate.

Suggestions on how to pace yourself include:

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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

Symptoms Of Gonococcal Arthritis

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Should you have symptoms of gonococcal arthritis, you will likely experience joint pain in your wrists, ankles, knees, and elbows. You may notice reduced mobility accompanied by red and swollen joints that are painful to move. Finally, you may feel a painful or burning sensation during urination.

Though gonococcal arthritis mostly affects the joints, it can transform into another type of infection known as disseminated gonococcal infection . If gonococcal arthritis becomes DGI, the symptoms become even more severe. DGI can present as skin lesions, fever, chills, malaise, or tendon inflammation.

Unfortunately, mothers can also pass untreated gonorrhea to newborns during childbirth, so infants are also prone to gonococcal arthritisalthough they are but a small percentage of the population that the disorder affects.

Infants with gonococcal arthritis may exhibit symptoms such as:

  • Irritability and crying
  • Fever
  • Spasms or spontaneous movements of their arms or legs

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When To See A Healthcare Provider

If you’re worried you may be experiencing symptoms of an autoimmune condition, or if you have a strong family history of autoimmune disease, see your healthcare provider. They can give you a comprehensive evaluation and a physical exam to help provide a diagnosis.

Your doctor may also order blood tests such as:

If your healthcare provider thinks that you may have an autoimmune disease, you will likely be referred to a specialist. This might include a rheumatologist or an endocrinologist .

Food Allergies Food Intolerance And Fatigue

Symptoms: Fatigue, sleepiness, continued exhaustion

Although food is supposed to give you energy, medical research suggests that hidden food intolerances or allergies can do the opposite. In fact, fatigue may be an early warning sign of food intolerance or food allergy. Celiac disease, which happens when you cant digest gluten, may also cause fatigue.

Ask your doctor about the elimination diet. This is a diet in which you cut out certain foods linked to a variety of symptoms, including sleepiness within 10 to 30 minutes of eating them, for a certain period of time to see if that makes a difference. You can also talk to your doctor about a food allergy test or invest in a home test such as ALCAT which may help you identify the offending foods.

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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.

Symptoms Of Fatigue In Inflammatory Arthritis

Fatigue, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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

Headache

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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 having caffeine 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.

Fatigue And Joint Pain

There are a few different medical conditions that are strongly associated with:

  • Fatigue
  • Joint Pain

While the symptoms above can be considered a guide to help associate symptoms common among the conditions below, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms. Below are the top condition matches for your symptom combination from MedicineNet:

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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.

What Causes ‘your’ Fatigue

Headache Fever Joint Pain 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 having caffeine 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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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

Is Vitamin B12 Good For Arthritis

Vitamin B complex is a type of non-antioxidant vitamin. We dont fully understand how this type of vitamin may treat arthritis-related conditions, but evidence from trials suggests that vitamins B3, B9 and B12 might be of some benefit for treating osteoarthritis, particularly in improving joint mobility and hand grip.

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Fact: A Companion Can Help During Long Road Trips

For long road trips, itâs best to bring a companion â if possible, someone who can share in the driving. Pull over and switch seats about every 100 miles or every two hours. Whoever is not behind the wheel should stay awake and talk to the driver. The passenger can also keep a watchful eye for signs that the driver might be nodding off.

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What Is Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain all over the body , sleep problems, fatigue, and often emotional and mental distress. People with fibromyalgia may be more sensitive to pain than people without fibromyalgia. This is called abnormal pain perception processing. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million US adults, about 2% of the adult population. The cause of fibromyalgia is not known, but it can be effectively treated and managed.

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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.

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What Kind Of Treatment Could Help Against Fatigue

Sometimes is still a major problem despite adjusting your daily schedule, doing physical exercise and getting support from other people. Then professional help may be an option, for instance in the form of psychological treatment or occupational therapy. Some specialized programs have been developed specifically for people who have fatigue as a result of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Theyâre designed to do things like help you plan activities and make sure you donât use up all of your energy at once.

Cognitive behavioral therapy strategies can also be learned to help cope with . Some involve recognizing and then changing certain thoughts, beliefs and behaviors that make it more difficult to live with the disease.

Studies on non-drug treatments show that approaches used in occupational therapy and psychotherapy can relieve exhaustion.

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How Can Stds Cause Joint Pain

Sometimes STDs can go relatively unnoticed because they do not produce typical symptoms. In the cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia, the infection is more likely to spread to the bloodstream, thus causing STD joint pain and STD bone pain. An STD that causes joint and muscle pain can trigger either septic or reactive arthritis.

Human bodies consist of complex systems such as the respiratory, vascular, muscular, and others. The vascular system encompasses the parts of the body that carry blood throughout, such as veins and arteries. The veins in your body deliver both oxygen and nutrients to living tissue. When bacteria enter the vascular system and thus your bloodstream, they quickly spread to every part of the body.

Joints do not have the same defenses against infection as other parts of the body do. Thus, can easily enter joints. The bodys natural reaction is joint inflammation, which restricts blood flow and increases potential damage.

Reactive arthritis occurs when the body attacks its own tissue, mistaking it for a foreign element such as disease or bacteria. Reactive arthritis may affect the eyes and urinary tract as well as other areas. As bacteria spread, your body registers the infection and reacts so strongly that it begins to attack its own cells, even after the infection is gone. This phenomenon is known as an autoimmune disorder.

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Dr. Frisch is committed to educating his patients on the latest information and technology in orthopedic care. Check out his blog to learn about the latest trends in healthcare.

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As fresh flowers emerge in the springtime, so do seasonal allergies. The main culprit is pollen released into the air by the green grass, mold, trees, and colorful flowers in full bloom. Nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, and a sore throat are common symptoms. But can seasonal allergies cause joint pain? Yes, they can. Lets look at how seasonal allergies affect your joints:

Many people complain of an increase in joint pain around this time of the year. This is because the pollen in the air lands on your skin, eyes, and nose triggering an allergic reaction in the body. The immune system works hard to fight against the foreign allergens. This causes fatigue and inflammation within the body. The inflammatory reaction spreads to the joints and manifests as joint pain.

Steps to prevent seasonal allergies:

If your joint pain continues even after getting allergy symptoms under control, you should visit an orthopedic doctor for an in-depth evaluation and treatment recommendation.

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