Make Your Bedroom A Sanctuary
You might need to switch your habits while you train your body into its new bedtime routines. Reading and watching TV in bed seem relaxing, but they could actually work against you, says Dr. Blazer.
That trains your brain to be wakeful in the place where you should be sleeping, she says. Curl up with a book in the living room instead, she suggests. That way, your body knows its time for brain fog-soothing sleep the moment you crawl under the covers.
Difference In Life Expectancy Between Men And Women
Women are almost three times more likely to develop RA as men are. Symptoms seen in women are also typically more severe. To add insult to injury, the disease course for women can also be more progressive and can potentially involve more systemic complications.
Predicting a life expectancy for male patients with RA is difficult. While men typically dont experience the same severity of symptoms as women do, men already have a baseline higher risk of cardiovascular disease than women. When you add the diagnosis of RA, their risk for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes increases even more than for women .
Stomach Pain Or Indigestion
RA and medicines used to treat it are linked to mouth and stomach ulcers, stomach bleeding, acid reflux, diarrhea, and constipation. Painful diverticulitis and colitis are also possible if you have RA.
RA drugs like NSAIDs often cause ulcers or an upset stomach.
Belly pain is sometimes a sign of a rare RA complication called rheumatoid vasculitis — when inflammation spreads to your blood vessels. Weight loss and lack of appetite are other symptoms. Vasculitis is serious, so see a doctor right away. Learn more about vasculitis symptoms and types.
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Managing My Ra With Medication
Controlling inflammation seems important in managing my cognitive dysfunction, although every arthritis patient is different. What works for me, medication-wise, might not be what you need. It was a journey for me to find the appropriate medication regimen, including trying multiple biologics. When you and your doctor find a regimen that is working with you, stick with it.
If you suspect any of your medications could actually be making you feel foggy , talk to your doctor about. I find that scheduling a rest period after taking
Laboratory Assessments And Disease Activity
Serum IgM RF and high-sensitivity CRP were assessed by quantitative nephelometry , using RF and CRP reagents, respectively . RF levels> 50 IU/ml indicated seropositivity and hsCRP levels> 5 mg/l were considered elevated. Anti-CCP autoantibodies were detected in serum samples using the second generation Immunoscan-RA CCP2 ELISA test . The assay was performed according to the instructions of the manufacturer. A concentration> 25 IU/ml indicated seropositivity. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was determined by the traditional Westergren method . DAS28-ESR was determined in all RA patients and mean of the last 5 ESR and DAS28 values was also calculated .
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Prevention Tips For Rheumatoid Arthritis Brain Fog Memory Loss
Stopping the brain fog before it starts can help you live a more fulfilled day-to-day life. Here are some prevention tips for rheumatoid arthritis brain fog and memory loss to help promote clearer thinking.
- Work closely with your doctor and report any changes you may find in your disease.
- Rest whenever you need to and dont overstrain yourself. Otherwise, you will just become exhausted and more forgetful.
- Listen attentively to your body. If it doesnt feel right or if you need a break, dont push yourself to do more.
- Plan to do more difficult tasks early on in the day and dont leave them for later when you are more tired and less clear-minded.
- Partake in regular low impact exercises, which can reduce stress and alleviate pain.
- Monitor your symptoms in a journal and pay attention if you notice any changes. Journaling your symptoms can help you better understand your brain fog and highlight any potential triggers, i.e., certain times in the day.
- If you are having difficulties managing and coping with your brain fog, seek out professional health care provider to help you monitor your mental stress and offer you effective coping strategies.
I Was Frustrated Because Nothing Seemed To Help The Fog
I spent four years at university and I feel like I can barely remember most of the things I learned. My vocabulary feels like its taken a hit, too. In the middle of a conversation, I will stop mid-sentence trying to think of the word that I know I know, I just cant remember it.
Frustrated is one word Ill never forget. It is so frustrating that no amount of sleep, coffee, or exercise does the trick. Some days are better than others and I have not figured out why but overall, I dont feel like I am ever at my best, whatever my best is. Maybe this is my best. I need a break, Ill be back.
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How Long Does An Arthritis Flare Last
The length and severity of an arthritis flare is unpredictable and differs from person to person. Different people may also have different triggers for their flares. The best advice is to listen to your body and become aware of your flare triggers. It may help to keep a flare diary and work with your doctor to developing a flare management plan. Avoid treating a flare a supplement, unless you talk to your doctor first. If you are having frequent flares or a severe flare that is not responding to your usual home care, call your doctor. Sometime a flare needs medical treatment to prevent permanent joint damage.
Can You Reduce Your Risk Of Type 3 Diabetes
Yes, you can. About half your risk of developing Alzheimers disease is preventable with lifestyle changes. These are the lifestyle changes:
- Get regular exercise. That means about 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise every day or at least on 5 days out of the week, along with some type of muscle-strengthening exercise twice per week.
- Eat a healthy diet. That includes avoiding fats and red meats, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, avoiding added sugar and processed foods, and increasing whole grains.
- Get to a healthy weight and stay there. Having a lot of weight around your belly is a risk for both diabetes and Alzheimers disease.
- Work with your diabetes care provider to get your blood sugar under control.
- Exercise your mind as well as your body. Mental exercises that challenge your brain help to reduce your risk for Alzheimers disease.
- Work with your health care providers to manage high blood pressure and your cholesterol.
The best way to prevent type 3 diabetes is to avoid type 2 diabetes. The good news is that lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of Alzheimers disease also reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes. Ask your health care provider about your risk for type 2 and type 3 diabetes and what you can do to lower your risk.
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Main Differences Between Lupus And Rheumatoid Arthritis
Writing Things Down And Setting Reminders
I cant stress the importance of writing things down or take a photo/screenshot of something you want to remember. I have alarms and reminders set on my phone consistently. I could not for the life of me remember passwords until I wrote them down. I try to keep my house fairly simple and organized so I can find stuff easily.
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What Are The Warning Signs Of Type 3 Diabetes
Even without developing Alzheimers disease, people with type 2 diabetes may have more memory problems as they get older than people without diabetes. They may also have problems with executive brain functions. These are high-level brain functions like organizing, planning, and decision making.
Having Type 2 diabetes doubles your risk of Alzheimers disease and other dementias. Signs of Alzheimers disease or other dementias include memory loss, loss of ability to learn, loss of executive functions, changes in personality, loss of ability to communicate, and a gradual loss of the ability to do every day activities of life.
Rheumatoid Arthritis And Brain Fog Memory Loss Connection
Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onApril 7, 2016
Rheumatoid arthritis is connected to brain fog and memory loss. Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly associated with joint inflammation, joint pain, stiffness, and impaired mobility, but many patients experience alternative symptoms such as brain fog or memory loss. They may find themselves being forgetful at times or having difficulty thinking.
Brain fog isnt a medically diagnosed term, but it refers to forgetfulness, confusion, or lack of focus and mental clarity. Its almost as if you cant think and your brain just doesnt want to do its job this can be quite frustrating. The good news is, brain fog is temporary, but the bad news is, it can occur often leaving you lacking words when you need them most or just being confused about what is going on around you.
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Coping With Rheumatoid Arthritis Brain Fog
Coping with rheumatoid arthritis brain fog can be challenging as you may find yourself at a loss for words, confused, and simply frustrated. The good news is, there are plenty of options available for you to combat and live with rheumatoid arthritis brain fog and keep it at bay so it does not continue to negatively impact your quality of life.
Some tips to cope with rheumatoid arthritis brain fog include:
- Treat rheumatoid arthritis: Properly managing your RA can help reduce inflammation, which triggers brain bog.
- Treat RA pain: Pain reduction lowers the risk of depression and anxiety, which can contribute to brain fog. As the previous study indicated, those living with higher pain are more likely to experience brain fog, so managing your pain can offer clearer thinking.
- Rest: Get adequate and proper sleep, as poor sleep can worsen inflammation and pain and increase daytime fatigue, which can worsen brain fog.
- Eat a healthy diet: Avoid foods that can trigger inflammation like saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates. Some patients have found that sticking with the Mediterranean diet has offered them relief from their brain fog.
- Take care of yourself: Taking the time to take care of yourself and boost your self-esteem and confidence can help you feel better overall.
- Be organized: Leave yourself sticky notes or reminders or set alarms in case you do become forgetful.
Theories On The Possible Links Between Ra And Dementia
The researchers speculate on the explanation, and there are multiple theories. One theory is that these effects may be due to depletion of folic acid , given that folic acid deficiency has been linked with a higher risk of dementia. Another possibility is that certain DMARDs may have a negative influence on learning and memory by altering levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brains hippocampus. The researchers also speculate that drug-induced alterations in the gut-brain connection may play a role. But its important to keep in mind, says Dr. Brown, By no means did this mean that people taking these medications were definitely going to get dementia.”
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Memory Issues And Ra Brain Fog
I am 23. I want to feel like the rest of my peers: energized, sharp, and motivated. Instead, it feels like a challenge to literally just think. Ask me to remember what I did yesterday and it will take me at least a few minutes to recall. Forget about asking me what I did last week, last month, or last year. Usually, I end up cheating and checking my calendar or photos to jog my memory.
Memory Loss Cause # 9 Brain Tumors
Growths in the mind can sometimes trigger symptoms comparable to dementia. The tumor kills mind cells as it expands, leading to amnesia. Relying on the place of the growth, the amount of amnesia will certainly differ in between people. Recent researches show that over half of all cancer patients show signs and symptoms of amnesia that can be puzzled with dementia- 90% of these signs were connected to verbal memory and also exactly how rapidly the research individuals could bring up memories as well as solve problems. Research reveals that chemotherapy can directly create cognitive problems, but it is extensively recognized that memory loss as well as cancer cells are both complex problems that most likely have a number of causes, as opposed to just one medicine.
Some signs and symptoms of mind issues that show you need to check out a specialist consist of:.
Abrupt or severe vision troubles, like double and also blurred vision.Seizures.Wooziness.Trouble walking and also talking.Unexpected significant changes in the detects, like scenting something that isnt there as well as listening to things .Inexplicable vomiting.
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Whats Behind Brain Fog
There are a lot of possible causes of brain fog with RA. However, no one cause has been proven.
In a 2009 study of mice, researchers found evidence that swelling in the bodys tissues, or inflammation, may be to blame.
In diseases like RA, inflammation triggers signals that affect brain chemicals, which may make people with RA feel tired or unable to concentrate.
Another possible cause of brain fog is the medicines people with RA take to reduce pain and inflammation and bring down joint swelling.
A in Arthritis Care & Research found that people with RA who were taking corticosteroid drugs were more likely to have trouble with mental tasks.
However, it is not exactly clear how these drugs might affect the ability to think.
The Role Of Blood Tests
The results of a complete blood count can also be revealing, he adds: Its more common for lupus patients to have a low white blood cell count, low platelet count, and certain forms of anemia.
Rheumatologists also check for the presence of certain autoantibodies in the blood to help make their diagnosis. The most basic test is the antinuclear antibodies test. People with lupus are almost always positive for ANA however, people with RA sometimes test positive as well, as do some healthy people.
If you get a positive ANA result for lupus, your rheumatologist will then order additional autoantibody tests including anti-double stranded DNA, anti-Smith, and antiphospholipid tests that help confirm a diagnosis of lupus.
If RA is suspected, your doctor will order tests that are more relevant for RA. These include rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, as well as tests that measure inflammation in the body, such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein .
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Learn What Brain Fog Feels Like In People Living With Inflammatory Arthritis Plus Get Tips On What You Can Do To Sharpen Your Thinking
Stiffness, swelling, and pain may be the hallmark symptoms of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis, but many people with RA, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other types of inflammatory arthritis dont expect to encounter the forgetfulness and trouble thinking that often accompany these diseases.
With autoimmune diseases like these, your immune system starts attacking your own body. Normally people with RA and PsA feel that inflammation assault in their joints, where your bodys cells attack your own tissue, but the constant inflammation can affect other parts of the body too.
Experts havent pinned down the exact link between arthritis and cognition problems, but they suspect that proteins released by the immune system called cytokines might be a factor, says Ashira Blazer, MD, a rheumatologist at NYU Langone Health in New York City. When immune flares release cytokines, they send signals in your brain that get in the way of its normal functioning and you feel that as arthritis brain fog.
On top of all that, the chronic pain of these diseases makes your entire nervous system extra sensitive, says John Davis III, MD, a rheumatologist with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Especially when your arthritis is extra active, it can cause a domino effect that affects your whole body. Inflammation levels may be high, and that may contribute to pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance and that might contribute to the fog, says Dr. Davis.
Why Did We Fund This Project
Comments from members of our Research Network:
‘The great potential here lies in the possibility of existing drugs being used to halt the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.’
‘Important study in my view. It appears to be looking after the needs of the participants well by interviewing them in their home setting and has included the lived experience of a research volunteer to help develop the proposal.’
‘This project appears to offer genuine opportunities to explore underlying factors that might influence the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.’
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What Is Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the joints of a patient. It affects the lining of the joints which leads to painful swelling, bone erosion and even joint deformities. Some common signs of rheumatoid arthritis in a patient include weakness, fatigue, morning stiffness, swollen joints, fever, and loss of appetite. Further complications may even lead to depression, heart failure and strokes. In severe cases, the patient loses the ability to maintain a stable range of motion and mobility.
The disease affects smaller joints such as the fingers, hands, and feet in the initial stages. Later, it begins to spread to other joints in the body that include the wrists, knees, elbows, ankles, shoulders, and hips. Most of the time, the symptoms affect both sides of the body. However, in some cases, they may be seen on just one side.
The origins and causes of rheumatoid arthritis are unknown. However, some risk factors include a persons sex, age, family history, excess weight and even smoking. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis however its symptoms can be managed in several ways. The main aim of doctors while doing so is to control inflammation, ease pain and reduce disability. Medications such including NSAIDs and DMARDs are often used for doing so. In severe cases, joint surgery is performed for joint damage.