Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is characterized by pervasive, chronic, and incapacitating fatigue. It's twice as common in women, but what causes this debilitating disease?
Introduction
A persistent or relapsing debilitating fatigue that does not get better with rest is the main symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This all-encompassing fatigue reduces normal activity levels by 50 percent or more for 6 months or longer. Other symptoms include painful, palpable lymph nodes, myalgia, arthralgia low-grade fever, a sore throat, pharyngitis, sleep disturbances, depression, and an inability to concentrate.
If you or a loved one suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), learning about treatment and finding out how to cope with this disease should be your first step. This disease can affect you physically, emotionally, and socially.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?
It is most important for you to have an appropriate and accurate diagnosis to guide treatment and further evaluation with the goal of living your best life.
The goals of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome treatment are to decrease symptoms and improve function. In most cases, a combination of medications and non-drug therapies is recommended. The therapy should be individual. The medications that help you might not help another person whit CFS. If you notice that your doctor doesn’t know much about CFS, you are best off finding another doctor who treats patients with CFS. A good relationship between you and your doctor can be the key to managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and resuming your normal life.
Lifestyle changes and exercise tips for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but there are things you can do to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Some lifestyle changes can help you cope with diseases. Lifestyle changes could include stress reduction, dietary restrictions, stretching, and nutritional supplementations. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may have a profound impact on your daily life.
Learning to live with the condition may require you to make significant lifestyle changes and adapt to new limitations.
You should have a lifestyle diary, in which you write down what you do each day and note when you feel really tired. Look at the list to find out which activities tire you out, and then stop or limit those activities. A good occupational therapist can help you stop or do less of the things that seem to trigger your tiredness.
Sometimes exercise can increase your energy levels. Before you start with exercises you should discuss the best way forward with your doctor. He or she can help you create an individual exercise plan that works for you. Your doctor can help you create a plan that is right for you. Don’t push yourself too much when you exercise. Too much exercise could worsen your Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. You should avoid overactivity and prevent deconditioning.
Medication for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome such as sleep problems, anxiety and depression, and muscle aches, can effectively be treated with medication. The drugs may only reduce your symptoms, but they don’t cure the fatigue that comes with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Most symptoms improve with time.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, and Naproxen Aleve are pain relievers. These medications can help you with body aches, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. You should know that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have some side effects. Discuss with your doctor about side effects.
If you have a runny nose and itchy eyes (allergy symptoms), the doctor may prescribe you antihistamines. In some cases, antidepressants can help improve sleep and ease your pain.
Alternative treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Some people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome try alternative treatments. Some of them get better, but it could be a placebo effect. Alternative treatments usually include yoga, stretching, or self-hypnosis massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. Be careful, because alternative treatments and dietary supplements could harm you. You should talk with your doctor before you try an alternative treatment. Don’t believe in everything you read, especially about alternative treatments. Conventional medicine is more useful.
What can I do to cope with CFS?
This disease interrupts your daily activities and affects your life profoundly. It’s normal for you to feel angry, or upset when you have an illness like CFS. Some kind of psychotherapy can be helpful to cope with the disease. It can be good for you to join CFS support group.
There are ways can you help yourself. You should write your diary to find out when you aren’t tired. Plan your activities for these times. You should have some activities; exercise can help your body and mind.
Charge your battery; express your feelings, such as sadness, anger, and frustration. It is much easier to cope with the disease when family and friends support you. You should know that emotional support is important in coping with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. You may lose concentration; you should give yourself more time for activities that take concentration.
Psychotherapy
A psychotherapist, using standard psychotherapy and counseling methods, can help you work through this disease. Psychotherapists may recommend a combination of medication and psychotherapy.
Cognitive behavioral therapy in some cases can help chronically ill patients cope with illness. Recent studies indicate that Cognitive behavioral therapy can be useful in treating some CFS patients.
This therapy can help you to learn to manage activity levels, stress, and symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you better adapt to the impact of CFS. The doctor’s role is to provide relief for your symptoms and help you cope whit CFS. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, you can significantly reduce your symptoms.
Memory and concentration complaints are two of the more distressing symptoms. Schedulers and written resource manuals can be helpful in addressing cognitive problems.
Depression
People whit CFS could suffer from secondary depression. About 50 percent of CFS patients develop depression sometime during the course of the illness. If someone has depression he needs help. Treating depression can reduce anxiety and stress, but it isn’t a cure for CFS.
If your doctor prescribes antidepressants, you should know that these medications could cause side effects.
Nutrition
People whit CFS often use nutritional supplements and vitamins for symptom relief. But you should know these products are unregulated. Don’t use any nutritional supplement, before you consult your doctor. If you use any of these products tell your doctor. The doctor should determine the safety and possible negative interactions with prescribed medications. You should avoid herbal remedies like germander, chaparral comfrey, ephedra, kava, licorice root, yohimbe, and others. You should have a well-balanced diet.
Read More: Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Pain management
You can experience pain in muscles and joints. Some people whit CFS may also complain of headaches. At the beginning of therapy doctor usually give simple analgesics like acetaminophen, Aspirin, or NSAIDS.
You also may have symptoms of orthostatic instability, dizziness, and light-headedness. Treatments for orthostatic problems include volume expansion for CFS patients. If you have these symptoms you should increase fluid and salt intake, if that doesn’t help doctor will prescribe you some medications.
Conclusion
Treatment of CFS usually include lifestyle changes, prevention of overexertion, stress reduction, dietary restrictions, gentle stretching, nutritional supplementation, and drug therapy. If you have CFS, the most important is to find out what helps you to decrease pain, and raise your energy.