Fatigue and autoimmune disease

Having an autoimmune disease can change your life in profound ways. For many people with autoim­mune disease, fatigue is the most debilitating symptom. It differs from the tiredness most people feel after long periods of work or exer­cise or when they haven’t slept well. It’s a feeling of constant exhaustion that makes it hard to get through the day, let alone participate in activities you enjoy.

And fatigue is frustrating. It’s not something that your doctor can measure or test for. It’s often not evident to others, but it is very real for you. Why autoimmune disease and fatigue go hand-in-hand is not entirely understood, although inflam­mation may explain some of it. Other possible factors include pain, poor sleep, inactivity, and depressed mood.

If you experience fatigue that completely saps your energy , it’s not a sign of weakness. Don’t try to push through it. Pay attention to your body, and pace yourself. Try to find the  strategies to manage your  energy level.

Here are some ideas that may help:

Take it easy. Don’t try to do too much. If you get tired, take a nap or do something restful like reading, listening to music, meditating, or a creative activity. Schedule rest breaks throughout the day if that helps.

Plan ahead. If you have limited energy, use if for the most important activi­ties on your calendar. If you have a busy day ahead, make plans the night before to make the day go easier. 

Inform family and friends. Tell people you are close to about your condi­tion and explain that it can cause fatigue so they will understand if you need to cancel or modify plans.

Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet may be helpful for anyone with an autoimmune disease. With some autoimmune conditions, you may need to follow certain dietary restrictions or special diets.

Get regular exercise. Physical activity can keep your body in good condi­tion, which will help boost energy. Try to keep a regular schedule of exercise that you can tolerate

Get enough sleep. Sleep is important, but it needs to be restorative sleep. To get better sleep, practice good sleep habits.

Find support. The challenges of coping with a chronic disease can wear you down . Mental fatigue can sap your energy. If your mood is low, talk with your doctor about ways to find emotional support.