7 Surprising Ways Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Your Energy Levels

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is more than just joint pain. It is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects multiple systems in the body, often leading to widespread fatigue. While it’s well-known that RA causes joint inflammation, many are unaware that it also affects your energy, surprisingly.

In this article, we will explore the unexpected ways RA can drain your energy and provide practical tips to help manage these effects. By understanding how RA impacts your vitality, you can take proactive steps to feel better and live your life more fully.

1. Chronic Inflammation Drains Your Energy

One of the primary ways RA affects energy is through chronic inflammation. RA occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation. This inflammation is not limited to the affected joints but can spread throughout the body.

The immune system’s constant fight produces pro-inflammatory chemicals, such as cytokines, which can affect energy levels and overall well-being.

The inflammatory process requires much of the body’s energy to fuel the immune response. As a result, many individuals with RA experience a sense of fatigue that seems to have no clear cause other than the ongoing inflammatory activity. This fatigue can feel like a constant drain, leaving individuals feeling tired no matter how much rest they get.

What You Can Do:

• Anti-inflammatory medications like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help manage inflammation and reduce fatigue.
• Integrating anti-inflammatory foods such as fatty fish, nuts, and leafy greens into your diet may also help.
• Regular, low-impact exercise like swimming or walking can reduce inflammation and increase overall energy levels.

2. Anemia: A Common Companion

Anemia is a common condition in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Anemia occurs when the body does not produce enough red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

Since oxygen is essential for energy production in cells, a lack of red blood cells can lead to extreme fatigue, weakness, and lack of stamina.

RA-related anemia is often caused by inflammation that affects the body’s ability to produce red blood cells. Additionally, individuals with RA may have iron deficiency, either due to poor absorption or blood loss caused by medication side effects.

What You Can Do:

• Work with your healthcare provider to monitor and manage your iron levels. Iron-rich foods like red meat, spinach, and legumes can help.
• Iron supplements may be recommended to improve your red blood cell count if needed.
• Be mindful of vitamin B12 and folate levels, as deficiencies in these can also contribute to fatigue.

3. Sleep Disturbances Worsen Fatigue

RA doesn’t just affect you during the day—it can interfere with your sleep at night, compounding your feelings of fatigue. Many people with RA experience sleep disturbances due to the pain and discomfort associated with joint inflammation.

Painful flare-ups can make it difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, disrupting sleep and causing poor-quality rest.

Moreover, RA is often associated with sleep disorders like sleep apnea, which can further worsen energy levels. Sleep deprivation affects the body’s ability to repair and regenerate cells, leaving you more tired and sluggish the next day.

What You Can Do:

• Talk to your doctor about managing your pain, especially before bed. This might include adjusting your medication or using heat/cold therapy to relieve discomfort.
• Consider using a supportive mattress and pillow to make sleep more comfortable.
• Practice relaxation techniques before bed, such as meditation or gentle stretching, to promote better sleep.

4. Medications May Have Side Effects

Medications are a crucial part of managing RA, but some of the drugs used to treat the condition can have side effects that worsen fatigue.

For example, steroids, commonly prescribed to reduce inflammation, can cause sleep disturbances and contribute to feelings of exhaustion. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also cause gastrointestinal discomfort, leading to low energy.

In addition to these side effects, medications like methotrexate can cause nausea, and others might affect your appetite or digestion, leading to a general sense of being rundown. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to find the most effective treatment plan that minimizes fatigue-causing side effects.

What You Can Do:

• Keep an open line of communication with your doctor about how you’re feeling on your medication regimen.
• Ask about alternative medications or supplemental treatments that may not have the same side effects.
• Incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing to help manage stress from the side effects of medication.

5. Decreased Physical Activity Leads to Lower Energy

RA can make physical activity difficult, especially when experiencing joint pain or stiffness. Over time, this reduced physical activity can decrease muscle strength and lower overall energy levels.

The less active you are, the less stamina you have, which can create a vicious cycle of fatigue. Additionally, the body relies on movement to improve circulation and energy levels, so avoiding exercise can lead to a sense of being sluggish or weak.

What You Can Do:

• Aim for regular, moderate-intensity exercise, even if it’s just a short walk each day. This can help boost circulation and energy.
• Focus on exercises that don’t strain your joints, like swimming or cycling, which can keep you moving without causing discomfort.
• Strength training exercises, performed under the guidance of a physical therapist, can help build muscle strength and improve energy levels.

6. Mental Health Struggles Intensify Fatigue

RA doesn’t just affect your body—it can affect your mind, too. Chronic pain and ongoing health struggles can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can worsen feelings of fatigue because mental health struggles often drain your emotional and physical energy. A person with depression may feel as though they don’t have the strength to engage in daily activities, leading to further fatigue and a reduced sense of well-being.

What You Can Do:

• Seek counseling or therapy to address mental health concerns and manage feelings of depression and anxiety.
• Consider mindfulness practices such as meditation, which can help reduce mental and emotional stress.
• Engage in social activities and hobbies that bring joy and fulfillment, which can boost mental and emotional energy.

7. Nutritional Deficiencies Impact Energy

Chronic inflammation and medication side effects can affect nutrient absorption in people with RA. Deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals—such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate—can contribute to feelings of fatigue.

Additionally, a poor diet that lacks variety or is too high in processed foods may exacerbate RA symptoms and cause low energy.

Ensuring that you’re consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help support your energy levels and overall health. Blood tests can identify specific issues if nutrient deficiencies are suspected, and supplements may be recommended.

What You Can Do:

• Focus on a nutrient-dense diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
• Consider working with a dietitian who can tailor a meal plan that supports your RA management and energy levels.
• Regularly monitor vitamin and mineral levels through blood tests and consider supplements as your healthcare provider recommends.

Conclusion

Rheumatoid arthritis is a complex disease that goes beyond joint pain and stiffness. Its impact on energy levels can be surprising and often debilitating, affecting everything from chronic inflammation to anemia, poor sleep, and even mental health struggles.

Understanding how RA affects your energy can help you take proactive steps to manage your fatigue and improve your quality of life.

By incorporating better sleep habits, regular exercise, and proper nutrition, you can reduce the impact of RA on your energy. Don’t forget to communicate with your healthcare team about managing medication side effects and mental health issues.

With a holistic approach, you can regain control over your energy levels and live a more vibrant, fulfilling life despite RA.

FAQs

Q: How can I manage fatigue due to rheumatoid arthritis?

A: You can manage RA-related fatigue by addressing the underlying causes, such as inflammation, anemia, and sleep disturbances. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and working closely with your healthcare provider to adjust medications can help alleviate fatigue.

Q: Does rheumatoid arthritis cause tiredness every day?

A: While not everyone with RA will experience daily fatigue, it is a common symptom, especially during flare-ups. Managing inflammation and improving sleep can help reduce the frequency and severity of tiredness.

Q: Can medications for RA make me more tired?

A: Yes, some medications used to treat RA, such as steroids and methotrexate, can cause side effects like drowsiness and fatigue. Working with your doctor to find the most suitable medication for you is essential.

Q: What foods can help reduce fatigue from rheumatoid arthritis?

A: Anti-inflammatory foods like salmon, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds can help reduce inflammation and improve energy levels. Foods rich in iron and vitamins, like spinach, red meat, and fortified cereals, may also help combat anemia-related fatigue.