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Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that attacks healthy tissue, causing chronic pain. Unfortunately, outside influences can also cause significant flare-ups. Stress is one of the most common triggers and is a condition that 60% of Americans experience. Both arthritis and stress affect each other, making their respective symptoms worse. If you've recently been diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder, learn more about managing your symptoms by decreasing your stress. 

What Is the Stress Response? 

Arthritis

The body has stress response triggers called catecholamines. They're neurotransmitters produced to activate the flight-or-fight response. When stressed, the body usually secretes three chemicals into the bloodstream:

  • Dopamine: The body understands that stress negatively impacts health. It releases the dopamine D1 and D2 receptor mechanisms to provide stress relief.
  • Epinephrine (adrenaline): An adrenaline release provides the body with hormones to increase heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to major muscle groups, and amplified breathing. These changes will help the body perform better in fight-or-flight scenarios.
  • Norepinephrine (noradrenaline): Norepinephrine provides a brief but powerful burst of energy during times of stress.

While the effects should only last a few minutes, some people have their catecholamines activated for too long. The constant strain impacts the body, which will be unable to shift into a resting state. A prolonged-release may cause tachycardia or hypertension, requiring medical attention to treat. 

For people with arthritis, the adverse effects magnify further.

How Does Stress Interact With Arthritis?

How Stress Affects Arthritis

The stress response triggers increased breathing, heart rate, and muscle tension. When the trigger fires repeatedly or for an extended period, the resulting tension exacerbates arthritic discomfort. 

Stress activates the immune system's inflammatory response. Arthritis patients already have a compromised immune system that inflames joints and muscles. The increased inflammation creates more swelling in the joints. As time goes on, the joints will have more fluid in them, causing further discomfort. The extra inflammatory chemicals can also activate other nerve clusters in the body, resulting in more distress. 

When an individual has long bouts of stress, the more damage the inflammation does. In a study, 86% of participants admitted that stress caused flare-ups, especially for patients with the rheumatoid variant

How Arthritis Affects Stress

When unregulated, arthritis and stress become a cycle, leading to increases in both issues. Symptoms and flare-ups contribute to stress, especially in instances of chronic discomfort. For many, the unrelenting physical distress exacerbates fatigue and diminishes sleep quality. These symptoms inform on each other, increasing the detriment to the patient's body. When individuals experience harm, they don't sleep well, and they feel more fatigue. They become too tired to exercise, which encourages inflammation, making it harder to sleep. Worrying about the condition also compounds the anxiety. In turn, the tension adds to further symptom expression and more difficulty sleeping. 

When Should You See Your Doctor? 

Arthritis

Doctors with experience treating autoimmune disorders have an increased understanding of treatment options. Regardless of symptom frequency or severity, patients should contact their primary care doctor during flare-ups. 

A physician should treat joints that are swollen, red, tender, or stiff for more than three days. Patients should also make an appointment if they have new symptoms or several symptom episodes in a month. 

If stress factors largely in symptom expression, primary care doctors will have questions. They'll likely ask where the discomfort is located, triggers, duration, and relief details. 

How Can People With Arthritis Manage Their Stress? 

Start Exercising

Low impact exercises, like walking, swimming, and some aerobic activities, can help relieve symptoms. When the body is active, it releases a feel-good chemical called endorphins, relieving stress and discomfort. For many, exercise also provides a natural way to treat depression and anxiety. 

During the winter, patients can continue their fitness regimen with treadmills or elliptical machines. Online yoga programs can also be done at home. They incorporate the movement and exertion that patients need to maintain their mobility and relieve symptoms. 

Seek Therapy 

Stress can be treated through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Your primary care doctor can suggest a psychiatrist to help you explore the causes of your stress. Whether through the reframing of these issues or psychopharmacology, you can find relief from both anxiety and arthritis. 

 

There is no cure for arthritis, but you can manage the symptoms with proper stress management and insight from your physician. For over 20 years, Urgent & Primary Care has helped patients throughout Albany, NY, manage their chronic pain. With their help, you won't have to work your schedule or plan life around your symptoms. To safely treat patients during COVID-19, they're also offering Teladoc® meetings. For more information on their medical services, visit their website. To schedule an appointment, call them at (518) 463-8262. 

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