Fatigue: How to Lessen the Daily Impact

From RA Horizons
Fatigue is a frequent symptom of RA. Fatigue may result from the disease process itself, or it may be related to a variety of physical and emotional factors. Fatigue can be particularly severe during a flare. When you compensate for arthritis pain by favoring a joint, you place additional stress on other joints, and this can tire you, since the muscles and tendons of those joints are unaccustomed to the extra work. Fatigue and pain are likely to make you less physically active, and this in turn leads to something called "disuse syndrome," a condition marked by more pain and fatigue. The anxiety and depression often associated with RA can also worsen your fatigue.

Since the fatigue of RA is a combined result of the pain, inflammation, physical stress, and emotional stress of the disease, it makes sense that getting effective treatment for your RA can help combat your fatigue. Working with your rheumatologist, physiotherapist, and other healthcare professionals to develop a treatment plan can make a significant difference in the impact of fatigue on your daily activities. In addition to the medication your rheumatologist may prescribe, your treatment plan may include a combination of exercise, rest, joint protection, the use of hot or cold applications to help reduce pain, and a program of physical and occupational therapy.

The surest way to minimize fatigue is by practicing the four Ps:

• Prioritize: Do the most important things first.
• Pacing: Alternate between periods of activity and rest.
• Planning: Develop a weekly schedule that sets a pace you can live with, allows you to address your top priorities, and leaves you time for rest.
• Posture: Distributing your workload evenly over several sets of strong muscles can help you conserve energy.

Talk to your doctor, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional about these and other strategies you can use to lessen the impact of fatigue on your daily life.

It's important to maintain a balanced, healthy diet. Research highlights the benefits of Vitamin C and antioxidants in your diet. If you are looking for a healthy snack, reach for an orange, a glass of orange juice or other foods and beverages high in vitamin C for disease-fighting antioxidants.

Article References
RA Horizons, site accessed on 12/19/2006