Chronic fatigue is a debilitating condition that can rob you of your energy for days or weeks. If left unattended, exhaustion can begin to interfere with daily life – from work to relationships and hobbies. But there is hope! Treatments such as dietary changes, supplements, light exercise, stress reduction techniques, and others have been shown to reduce the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome. In this blog post, we are going to explore different options for you to effectively overcome this often misunderstood medical condition.
How to define chronic fatigue syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a lifelong and debilitating disorder that affects the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. The exact causes of CFS are unknown, but a combination of environmental, physiological, and psychological factors are thought to contribute to its onset. Certain exposures to viruses or stressful life events, such as trauma or extreme physical exertion, can trigger an inflammatory response that impacts the three systems mentioned above and leads to persistent fatigue.
Stress hormones play a key role in CFS, as it becomes more difficult to cope with stressors due to limited energy stores and certain lifestyle habits associated with CFS, such as decreased quality of sleep . Although this disorder remains mostly mysterious and controversial, it is fraught with consequences for those who suffer from it because of its physical, emotional, social and financial impact on activities of daily living.
How to recognize its symptoms?
The main symptoms are:
- Memory or concentration problems.
- Sore throat.
- Tender lymph nodes.
- Muscle aches.
- Multiple joint pains without joint swelling or redness.
- Headache of a new type, shape or intensity.
- Non-restorative sleep
Some people also report a range of other symptoms, such as nausea, loss of appetite, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, jaw pain, night sweats, increased sensitivity to alcohol or drugs, chronic cough, dizziness or dry eyes.
How can chronic fatigue syndrome be diagnosed?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) can be diagnosed by a doctor familiar with this condition. The diagnosis of CFS requires at least four of the basic symptoms mentioned above. In addition to these core symptoms, the patient must have had fatigue for six months or more and must not have other medical conditions that could account for the fatigue.
To diagnose CFS, a doctor usually performs an initial physical examination to rule out any other possible causes for the patient’s fatigue. Blood tests may also be done to check for signs of infection or anemia. A sleep study may also be requested if there is concern that the patient has an underlying sleep disorder such as sleep apnea or insomnia. If necessary, a specialist such as an endocrinologist or rheumatologist may also be consulted if other medical issues are suspected.
Once all potential underlying causes have been ruled out, a diagnosis of CFS can be made by determining if the patient meets the criteria described above and has had persistent fatigue for at least six months without further explanation. It is important to note that while the official diagnosis of CFS can only be made by a qualified medical professional, it is also possible to receive treatment even without receiving an official diagnosis. Since many treatments are interchangeable between the different diagnoses related to chronic fatigue and exhaustion.
What is the treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome?
A CFS treatment plan aims to relieve your symptoms to improve your quality of life. This plan should include:
- A stress management plan.
- A very gentle exercise program.
- A nutritious diet, with regular meals/snacks to keep you energized.
- Food supplements if your diet is not balanced or if your blood tests indicate deficiencies.
- A sleep management plan, which may include medication.
- Physiotherapy for pain relief and good breathing techniques.
- Pain medication.
- Psychological support if you are particularly stressed or depressed.
Medications :
The most common type of medication used to treat CFS is antidepressants. They work by boosting the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, which helps improve mood and energy levels, reduce pain sensitivity and improve sleep quality.
Other medications used to treat CFS include stimulants such as modafinil or armodafinil, which can help those struggling with fatigue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen may also be beneficial in reducing pain associated with CFS.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):
This type of therapy can also be used in addition to or in place of these medications. CBT is based on transforming negative thought patterns into more positive ones and encouraging lifestyle changes that promote physical well-being. This may lead to symptom relief in people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
