Fatigue.
Last updated Monday, January 03, 2005
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About fatigue
This information is for people who have fatigue due to any type of arthritis, and for their families and friends. It provides basic information about fatigue as well as tips on how to manage it.What is fatigue? Fatigue is the feeling of extreme tiredness or exhaustion, often
involving muscle weakness, that can result in difficulty performing
tasks. It has been compared to the tired and achy feeling one has when
experiencing a bout with the flu.
Fatigue is a frequent and troubling symptom of many types of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, such as lupus. It may be due to many causes, such as illness, depression, joint and muscle pain, stress, overextending yourself, poor sleep, anemia, or a lack of physical activity.
The symptoms of fatigue vary from person to person. They may last a
long time or only a short time. They may strike at any time or may be
predictable.
There are many things you can do to help decrease the effects of
fatigue. Knowing how it affects you will help you manage it better. Are fatigue and arthritis related? Fatigue is problematic, especially for those people with chronic
conditions like arthritis. If fatigue is of new onset, is getting
significantly worse, or interferes with activities of daily living, it
would be valuable to see a health provider. There are many causes of
fatigue and a physician or nurse practitioner will be able to help
diagnose and treat the cause(s) of your fatigue.How does fatigue make you feel?
Fatigue affects everyone differently. For instance, it may make you feel:
- Very tired with no energy. All you want to do is sleep. Some people
who experience fatigue associated with their arthritis or lupus say,
"When I'm fatigued, everything is too great an effort. Everyday tasks
become too much to do."
- Increased pain. Fatigue often comes along with pain. One person
with arthritis said, "Pain itself is very fatiguing. When I'm tired, I
can't cope as well with the pain."
- A loss of control. Sometimes fatigue may make you feel helpless. You may feel you have little control over life.
- A loss of concentration. Decisions become more difficult. It's as if your mind is tired, too.
- Irritable. It may be difficult to be pleasant or happy when you're
constantly tired. This may put a strain on your relationships. One
person with arthritis commented, "I'm grouchy when I'm fatigued and I
just don't care."
Fatigue may be accompanied by pain, irritability, and/or loss of energy, concentration, or sense of control.
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