Fatigue and arthritis

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a feeling of weariness, but it’s more extreme than simple tiredness. It can affect you physically, making your limbs seem heavy and causing you to feel exhausted, but it can also affect your concentration and motivation. People who experience fatigue may find they struggle to do even small tasks. It often comes on for no apparent reason and without warning.

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What causes fatigue?

Many things may combine to cause fatigue, including the following:

• inflammation during the disease process
• anaemia
• other long-term conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disease
• some drugs used to treat arthritis
• pain, especially if it’s long-term
• weak muscles (caused, for example, by inactivity due to pain), which mean you have to use more energy to do everyday tasks
• overdoing things or carrying on with activities for too long
• sleep disturbance as a result of pain, late nights or sleeping too much in the day
• stress and anxiety
• low mood or depression
• poor diet or hunger

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How can I help myself?

Try combining some of the following tips on self-management. You can read more about them by following each link:

• the 'four P's'
• monitor your energy output and fatigue
• talk to family and friends
• learn to say no
• join a self-help group
• increase your physical activity
• deal with stress or anxiety
• find support for low mood
• get a good night's sleep
• eat a healthy diet

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