How to Deal With Fatigue When You Suffer From RA

The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are mainly pain and swelling. However, most people with RA also experience mental and physical exhaustion, also known as fatigue. The fatigue can be described as being overwhelming and can come from nowhere. In fact, according to research, fatigue might have a greater impact on those who have arthritis than the pain.

Causes of Fatigue

There are many causes of fatigue for the people who have RA, as highlighted below:

• High levels of inflammation
• Disease activities
• Depression
• Obesity
• Poor sleep
• Medication
• Lifestyle habits

How to Cope With Exhaustion

However, it is possible to manage your exhaustion symptoms. You should start by considering your routine. Note that you can manage your fatigue by changing a few of your lifestyle changes. Here is a look at ways that you can use to cope with exhaustion.

Talk To Your Doctor about Intensity and Frequency

Fatigue is a serious issue and one that can limit your lifestyle. That is why it is important to discuss the significant stress you have in your life with your doctor. In addition, you need to give your doctor the full details of the condition to help you get better.

At times, it might be difficult to explain your condition to your doctor, but you need to make an effort so that they can take your condition seriously and come up with the best treatment option. In addition, they will know of the best medication that they can give you to help you manage the condition.

How to address RA fatigue?

Get Regular Exercise

When you have RA fatigue, the last thing you might want is to exercise. However, exercising might help you manage the condition and help you get better. According to studies, aerobic activities that make your heart beat faster will help cut fatigue in people with RA conditions. Besides, when you work out, your body will get tired, which means you will get ample sleep at night. That is important as it will help in elevating your fitness level.

Sleeping will help your body to relax and rejuvenate. As a result, it will help in reducing any symptoms of fatigue you might be experiencing.

Learn Of the Ways You Can Control Stress

When someone is stressed, their breathing becomes shallower, limiting the amount of oxygen that gets into the body. One of the ways you can fight fatigue is to start breathing consciously and taking deep breaths. Whenever you are feeling stressed and tired, you should take 5-10 deep breaths. The breathing exercise and medications are practices that you can do at any time. When you practice these skills, they will help you manage the condition.

Consider Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Having a critical and unpredictable condition is tiring and can take a toll on your emotional health. CBT is a form of talk therapy, and it is used to teach you to change the ways you think about fatigue. That way, you will control the number of fatigue that you feel. The best way to deal with the condition is by getting cognitive behavior therapy and behavioral.

Try To Get Enough Sleep

It can be hard for you to get enough sleep if you are in pain, and that is why people who have RA have a hard time falling asleep. But you can fix this by developing good sleeping habits. There are numerous sleep tips that you can use to help you sleep. Some of the ways that you can use to ensure that you get ample sleep are by going to bed at the same time each night, getting up at the same time, establishing a ritual before going to bed that will help your body know that it is time for you to go to sleep. Getting enough sleep will ensure that your body is fully rested and will reduce the symptoms of fatigue.

Ask Your Doctor about Medications for Fatigue

You can use certain medications to help with chronic fatigue, like modafinil. However, before you start taking these medications, talk to your doctor to give you the go-ahead. You also need to be careful with these drugs since it might be hard to stop when you stop taking them. That is why you need to discuss the option of taking arthritis medication with your doctor. They will help with pain and osteoarthritis.