10 Ways Arthritis Patients Can Fight Fatigue

About 10 million doctor visits each year are attributed to fatigue, and many of those are tied to arthritis-related conditions. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 98 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 50 percent of people with lupus or Sjogren's syndrome report fatigue. The percentage escalates with obesity and depression, and complications of secondary conditions such as fibromyalgia, lung conditions, and cardiovascular problems.

The impact of fatigue is significant for people living with arthritis-related conditions. Fatigue is disruptive and interferes with all aspects of daily living. Many patients describe its effect on their lives as greater than that of pain. Fatigue is different than ordinary tiredness. Fatigue is extreme weariness, overwhelming exhaustion, a feeling of being "wiped-out," and having no energy -- even after a night's sleep. Fatigue affects a patient's ability to think, and its unrelenting presence can cause emotions to change quickly.

Patients often feel fatigue is inadequately addressed during doctor visits, likely because there is no quick fix. Are there solutions for fighting fatigue? Here are 10 Ways Arthritis Patients Can Fight Fatigue.

Related Resources:

• I'm Tired of Being Tired
• Arthritis Patients Need More ZZZZZ's
• Study: Dark Chocolate Reduces Fatigue
• Body Clock Shift May Be Linked to Chronic Fatigue
• Fatigue Leaves Arthritis Patients Unrefreshed: Are There Solutions?

_{Photo by Duane Ellison (iStockphoto)}