Rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue is an inseparable combo. We all know for a fact that even the simplest diseases such as cough and colds are accompanied with weakness. Everyone feels the same kind of exhaustion when sick; and such thing could never be taken out of the system except if the infection has died down already.

Unknown to many, fatigue is one of the cardinal signs of rheumatoid arthritis together with joint stiffness, joint pains, and minimal or total loss of function of the affected area. So if there is another important thing to add, it is to remind you that eliminating the cause itself will eradicate the symptoms as well. Like I said, rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue are in each other's pocket; and total eradication means total disciplinary action directed to your ailment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fatigue: The Causes

The exhaustion that a patient feels is brought about by many factors. However, there is no objective test that can lead us to a comparison of fatigue for various patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. On the other hand, there are proven factors that precipitate weakness, and these are: chronic inflammation of joints (the higher the level of inflammation, the more progressive the disease becomes), chemical culprits such as cytokines trigger profound fatigue, unrelenting pain makes a person feel extremely exhausted, pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs are proven to interfere with concentration, complications of RA such that of a loss in muscle tone contributes much to weakness; lastly, research shows that women are more prone to fatigue than men.

The good news about rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue is that unlike other severe diseases, the symptoms become less prominent the moment the condition is being controlled. Still, the key to fully wiping out the disease is through strict observance in the given therapy.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fatigue: The Therapy

Of course, the use of certain medications for rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue would certainly be the first priority treatment of every physician. Removing the inflammation and decreasing the pain are two of the most important factors that should be wiped out; and these can only be done through successive and aggressive treatment.

Nevertheless, there are other forms to lessen rheumatoid arthritis and fatigue; and these are in the form of non-drug treatments such as: modification in the diet and losing weight, therapeutic exercises which should be performed with an expert, getting a lot of rest together with pacing activities, splinting of the joints by a professional, and sleep relaxation techniques. Although all these ways are proven to be helpful, it still doesn't provide the cure. Treatment in the form of medication should still be sought for and could be provided by the rheumatology multidisciplinary.