Busy routine, stress and many medical conditions can cause fatigue and weaknessDiabetesliver diseaseheart disease and blood pressure etc. are considered to be the main causes of fatigue. At the same time, many people often have a question in their mind whether arthritis can also cause fatigue? So the answer is yes. People with arthritis can have severe fatigue. Especially in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause symptoms like pain and swelling in the joints. Along with this, it can also cause chronic fatigue. Fatigue is also considered a common and serious symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. According to studies, more than half of the patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis feel tired. Today in this article you will learn in detail about the relationship between arthritis and fatigue -

(Read more - Effective Homemade Herbs to Ease Arthritis Pain)

  1. What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
  2. Why Does Fatigue Occur In Rheumatoid Arthritis?
  3. Effect Of Fatigue On Arthritis Patients
  4. Treatment Of Fatigue In Arthritis
  5. Summary
Doctors for Can Arthritis Cause Fatigue? Exploring the Connection

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the body starts to feel swollen and has severe pain. In this condition, the immune system starts attacking healthy tissues. This can cause swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints. Fatigue can also occur in rheumatoid arthritis. This fatigue can be severe, even affecting the entire routine. In such a situation, a person can feel tired despite resting.

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Most people with rheumatoid arthritis experience constant fatigue. According to a study conducted in 2007, about 50 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis have severe fatigue. Due to fatigue, they are not able to do even their daily work. Fatigue caused by rheumatoid arthritis can become chronic. The causes of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis are as follows -

Inflammation

People with rheumatoid arthritis have to face severe pain and swelling in the joints. Inflammation in people with RA can cause fatigue. According to a study conducted in 2016, people start feeling tired due to joint inflammation. In such a situation, if the inflammation starts reducing, then the fatigue can also be reduced.

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Anemia

30-70 percent of people with rheumatoid arthritis also have to face anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the body is not able to produce enough red blood cells and the level of hemoglobin in the body starts decreasing. In this condition, the person also starts feeling symptoms like weakness, difficulty in breathing and headache. When a person is facing both RA and anemia, he may have chronic fatigue.

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Lack Of Sleep

Most people with rheumatoid arthritis are not able to get enough sleep throughout the night due to severe pain in the joints. Lack of sleep can cause stress. When people with RA are stressed, have pain and lack of sleep, fatigue also increases. The increasing symptoms of RA can cause fatigue.

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Weakness And Weight Loss

People with rheumatoid arthritis face swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints. Apart from this, they may often feel pain in the joints of the hands and wrists. People with RA may also have to face symptoms like weight loss, fever and weakness etc. When these symptoms persist for a long time in people with RA, they may feel tired. When there is weakness, it is natural to feel tired.

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Fatigue can badly affect people with rheumatoid arthritis. Due to fatigue, most people with RA are not able to do their daily tasks. Fatigue affects the daily routine of these people. Fatigue is no less than a challenge in people with RA -

  • People with RA may feel more sleepy when they are tired. Due to this, they may avoid participating in any social activities and family life.
  • Fatigue can make it difficult to perform daily tasks. These people may also find it difficult to concentrate on doing any work.
  • People with RA cannot work for long hours. They need breaks from time to time.
  • A 2002 study found that fatigue affects people with RA so much that they have to leave their jobs.

(Read more - Mental fatigue and exhaustion)

Fatigue caused by rheumatoid arthritis can be treated in the following way -

  • Medication For Anemia - If a patient is suffering from anemia, then the doctor can advise him to take iron-rich supplements.
  • Sleeping Aids - If the patient is having difficulty sleeping, the doctor can prescribe medication to help them sleep. Some sleeping aids include lorazepam, zaleplon or zolpidem.
  • Antidepressant Medication - If a person is facing mental health challenges, the doctor may advise them to take antidepressant medication.

(Read more -Period Fatigue - Symptoms, Causes)

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Fatigue can be a serious symptom of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fatigue can affect the entire life of those suffering from it. Joint pain, swelling, anemia and lack of sleep in RA can cause fatigue. In such a situation, proper lifestyle and getting arthritis treatment can help in reducing fatigue.

Dr. Vikas Patel

Dr. Vikas Patel

Orthopedics
6 Years of Experience

Dr. Navroze Kapil

Dr. Navroze Kapil

Orthopedics
7 Years of Experience

Dr. Abhishek Chaturvedi

Dr. Abhishek Chaturvedi

Orthopedics
5 Years of Experience

Dr. G Sowrabh Kulkarni

Dr. G Sowrabh Kulkarni

Orthopedics
1 Years of Experience

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