CONTROLLING FATIGUE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): GET ADEQUATE REST

February 5th, 2011 | Arthritis

Individuals with RA require more rest than they did before they developed the condition. Adequate rest takes many forms, including physical, emotional, and local rest.

Getting adequate sleep is imperative because sleep provides a healing factor for the body and the mind. We recommend ten hours of sleep daily, particularly during periods when the arthritis has flared up. You may prefer to sleep eight hours at night and take two one-hour naps during the day. If getting adequate sleep proves difficult, ask your doctor to recommend or prescribe pain or sleeping medications to help you.

We can sometimes rest physically and emotionally at the same time – this happens when we sleep, for example. Taking a fifteen- or twenty-minute break in the morning and afternoon can also make an incredible difference in productivity. Learning and performing stress reduction and relaxation techniques during tense times may be particularly beneficial. During these breaks try to relax your mind and body. If you can manage to lie down with your feet elevated, you’ll increase the benefits of the break. Taking these prescribed breaks routinely each day may allow you to avoid the severe exhaustion that occurs when you become overly fatigued.

From time to time it’s a good idea to reflect on the day’s activities. Think about what you did during the day and when you felt most tired. This review exercise will allow you to schedule strategic rest breaks during the day which will help you avoid becoming overtired. If necessary, discuss these recommendations with your employer; he or she will probably agree that this is time well spent. It is to everyone’s benefit for you to retain your energy so you can be as efficient and productive as possible.

Local rest means resting specific parts of the body. Getting local rest will help you protect your joints from undue stress; this can be achieved by wearing splints, which can be fabricated to protect the wrists and hands, and by using techniques designed to reduce joint stress.

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CONTROLLING FATIGUE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): GET ADEQUATE RESTIndividuals with RA require more rest than they did before they developed the condition. Adequate rest takes many forms, including physical, emotional, and local rest.Getting adequate sleep is imperative because sleep provides a healing factor for the body and the mind. We recommend ten hours of sleep daily, particularly during periods when the arthritis has flared up. You may prefer to sleep eight hours at night and take two one-hour naps during the day. If getting adequate sleep proves difficult, ask your doctor to recommend or prescribe pain or sleeping medications to help you.We can sometimes rest physically and emotionally at the same time – this happens when we sleep, for example. Taking a fifteen- or twenty-minute break in the morning and afternoon can also make an incredible difference in productivity. Learning and performing stress reduction and relaxation techniques during tense times may be particularly beneficial. During these breaks try to relax your mind and body. If you can manage to lie down with your feet elevated, you’ll increase the benefits of the break. Taking these prescribed breaks routinely each day may allow you to avoid the severe exhaustion that occurs when you become overly fatigued.From time to time it’s a good idea to reflect on the day’s activities. Think about what you did during the day and when you felt most tired. This review exercise will allow you to schedule strategic rest breaks during the day which will help you avoid becoming overtired. If necessary, discuss these recommendations with your employer; he or she will probably agree that this is time well spent. It is to everyone’s benefit for you to retain your energy so you can be as efficient and productive as possible.Local rest means resting specific parts of the body. Getting local rest will help you protect your joints from undue stress; this can be achieved by wearing splints, which can be fabricated to protect the wrists and hands, and by using techniques designed to reduce joint stress.*48/209/5*

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