Can Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Go Away

Nourish Yourself With The Right Diet

Optimal nutrition is vital for overcoming any kind of chronic illness and related digestive issues. The right diet supplies the body with the proper balance of nutrients necessary for healing, acquired from foods that are naturally easy to digest, promote the growth of normal microbes in the gut, and support healthy metabolism.

To eat this way means leaving behind the processed food products that have come to dominate the modern food supply and are loaded with carbohydrates and toxic fat. These foods are mostly derived from processed forms of wheat, corn, soybeans, and sugar, all of which disrupt immune system function, communication, and all other systems in the body.

The best diet for overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome can be boiled down to six basic guidelines. Follow these, and youll quickly propel your recovery in a forward direction.

Depression Stress And Anxiety

Adjusting to a chronic, debilitating illness sometimes leads to other problems, including depression, stress, and anxiety. Many patients with ME/CFS develop depression during their illness. When present, depression or anxiety should be treated. Although treating depression or anxiety can be helpful, it is not a cure for ME/CFS.

Some people with ME/CFS might benefit from antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications. However, doctors should use caution in prescribing these medications. Some drugs used to treat depression have other effects that might worsen other ME/CFS symptoms and cause side effects. When healthcare providers are concerned about patients psychological condition, they may recommend seeing a mental health professional.

Some people with ME/CFS might benefit from trying techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxation, massage, and movement therapies . These can reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a sense of well-being.

The Challenges To Healthcare

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, says the number of people dealing with ongoing symptoms such as fatigue due to long COVID is going to present new challenges to the healthcare system.

The anticipation is that this will be a requirement/demand on the medical care system that we hadnt had pre-COVID. But were now going to have to deal with in a more sustained fashion, Schaffner told Healthline.

This will have implications for those affected individuals and how well they can work and be reintegrated into societal activities of all kinds, as well as the costs associated with caring for those individuals, he added.

Its estimated that between people in the United States live with CFS/ME, but many of them are undiagnosed.

Experts are currently debating whether those experiencing long COVID may also be experiencing CFS, or something else.

There is some overlap, but we are not sure where the overlap is and where the long COVID-19 fits into the chronic fatigue yet, Dr. Adupa Rao, a pulmonologist and specialist in the Keck Medicine of USC COVID Recovery Clinic in California, told Healthline.

The overlap makes this confusing. The reason for separating out the two is to give it a label so that if a specific therapy is found to be more beneficial in long COVID-19, then that would be the therapy given to treat the person, he added.

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How Can A Viral Infection Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Viral-like illnesses have been found to precede approximately 50% of patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.6 While still not entirely understood, viral infections most likely cause chronic fatigue syndrome in a few ways:6,7

In simplest terms, researchers speculate that in certain individuals, a viral infection essentially forces your immune system to remain in the on position. This causes a shift in the homeostasis of your immune system, and never really allows your immune system to rest or reset. Because the immune system requires massive amounts of energy to function, this leaves your body energy-depleted and causes CFS symptoms.

And in the wake of 2020s coronavirus pandemic, some speculate that we may be facing a massive wave of new cases of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Activate Your Lifestyle Again

The human body is designed to move, and if it sits too long, everything stagnates. Staying in motion increases blood flow, which washes out toxins, stimulates healing, and increases oxygen delivery to tissues. It also stimulates endorphins, the natural feel-good chemicals that reduce pain and stimulate immune functions, as well as stem cells, which are necessary to repair damaged tissues.

That said, experts warn that if you have chronic fatigue and overdo it, theres a risk of setback and post-exertional malaise , which is a worsening of symptoms such as fatigue, sleeplessness, cognitive issues, pain, dizziness, and more. So keep in mind that becoming active again must be a delicate balance between moving enough to gain benefit, but not so much that it aggravates inflamed tissues and causes further damage. Try these suggestions for starting slow and easy:

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How Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treated

There is no cure for ME/CFS. Treatment goals include managing symptoms and returning you to a higher quality of life. Some people arenât able to regain the level of health and function they had before their diagnosis.

First, your doctor works with you to determine which symptoms cause the most difficulty. Together, you will address those symptoms immediately.

Counseling is helpful for many people with ME/CFS. This type of treatment helps people better tolerate symptoms by changing thoughts and behaviors. Your doctor may prescribe medications, like antidepressants or sleep aids, if your symptoms are especially severe. These medications can relieve symptoms like unrestful sleep for some people living with ME/CFS.

Before prescribing sleep aids, however, your doctor may provide suggestions for improving sleep without drugs. For instance, he or she might suggest that you visit a sleep specialist. Other tips include:

• Develop a regular bedtime routineâgo to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
• Do not nap for more than 30 minutes total during the day.
• Use your bed and bedroom only for sleeping and sex. Take out all electronics.
• Avoid eating large meals before you go to bed also avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Do your exercising at least 4 hours before you go to sleep.

Has Anyone Recovered From Chronic Fatigue

Recovery from CFS is more common than assumed with 40% of CFS patients reporting symptom improvement after several years . Longitudinal studies have shown that 17-64% of CFS patients with longer than 6 months of illness improved, less than 10% fully recovered, and another 10-20% worsens during follow-up.

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How Is Cfs Diagnosed

CFS is a very challenging condition to diagnose.

According to the Institute of Medicine, as of 2015, CFS occurs in about 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans. Its estimated, however, that 84 to 91 percent have yet to receive a diagnosis.

There are no medical tests to screen for CFS. Its symptoms are similar to many other conditions. Many people with CFS dont look sick, so doctors may not recognize that they indeed have a health condition.

In order to receive a CFS diagnosis, your doctor will rule out other potential causes and review your medical history with you.

Theyll confirm that you at least have the core symptoms previously mentioned. Theyll also ask about the duration and severity of your unexplained fatigue.

Ruling out other potential causes of your fatigue is a key part of the diagnosis process. Some conditions with symptoms that resemble those of CFS include:

• sleep disorders

The side effects of certain drugs, such as antihistamines and alcohol, can mimic symptoms of CFS as well.

Because of the similarities between symptoms of CFS and many other conditions, its important to not self-diagnose. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms. They can work with you to get relief.

Cope With Depression Anxiety And Distress

When you have ME/CFS, you may not be able to do the things you would like to do. This may lead to feelings of frustration and anxiety. It can also lead to depression. Depression is not the same thing as ME/CFS. But it can make your ME/CFS symptoms worse.

• Work with your doctor to watch for signs of depression.
• If your doctor suggests an antidepressant, ask if there is one that can help control your pain and help you sleep, as well as improve your mood.
• For support and help with mood problems, you can also work with a professional counselor who understands ME/CFS.

An ME/CFS support group can be a good source of information and tips for managing your illness. It also gives you a chance to share your frustrations and problems with others who have ME/CFS.

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How Can Parents Help

To help your child cope with the emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome:

• Encourage your child to keep a daily diary to identify times when they have the most energy and help plan activities for these times.
• Help your child to recognize and express feelings, such as sadness, anger, and frustration. It’s OK to grieve the loss of energy.
• Get support from family and friends because emotional health is important when coping with a chronic health problem.
• Allow more time for your child to do things, or break down activities into smaller steps, especially activities that take concentration or physical effort.
• Work with your childs teachers and school administrators to adjust their workload so that it fits within the limits of what your child can tolerate.

How Will Me/cfs Affect My Quality Of Life

Not everyone will experience the same symptoms so itâs important not to compare people with ME/CFS. People with ME/CFS can have very different experiences of the condition and how long their symptoms last.

The impact of symptoms can be:

As symptoms change over time so does the impact they have on peopleâs lives.

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Reservation Of Sibo As A Condition

I will be upfront my motto is Ostende mihi testimonium Show me the evidence. I do not dispute getting results from Breath Tests but reading the latest literature , it is likely that most of the breath tests are incorrectly done. This is especially true give the type of advice that I have seen on social media compared to the best literature . SIBO is associated with so many other conditions that I view it as a shared symptom, such as head ache or constipation. Many clinical studies are done in reference to SIBO in the context of this or that condition. This implies that researchers are seeing very different subsets in what is called SIBO. Just with the three existing breath tests, we see 3! i.e. 6 potential subtypes of SIBO each with different bacteria involvedand thus different treatment plan being likely.

In preparing this study, I attempted to disprove my gut feeling but looking for what should be there and could not find it. See below.

Diagnosis Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Laboratory tests to exclude other causes of symptoms

At least one of the following manifestations is also required:

• Difficulty thinking

• Feeling of light-headedness or dizziness when standing up that is relieved by lying down

The frequency and severity of the symptoms should be assessed by a doctor. If people do not have these symptoms at least half of the time with moderate, substantial, or severe intensity, doctors reconsider the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome .

Criteria for diagnosis are important mainly because they help doctors communicate clearly with each other when they study a problem. However, when treating a specific individual, doctors focus more on that person’s symptoms rather than the criteria.

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How Can I Find Out If I Have It

The National Academy of Medicine has issued guidelines describing the combination of symptoms necessary for doctors to diagnose the condition. Unfortunately, there isn’t yet a diagnostic test that’s accurate enough to be useful.

Because extreme fatigue is a symptom of so many conditions, your doctor will want to rule out other conditions first, before considering a diagnosis of ME/CFS. You’ll need to get a complete checkup and talk with your doctor about all your symptoms.

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Where Can I Get Support

ME/CFS can have a significant emotional and financial impact on your life. A lack of understanding and awareness about ME/CFS means patients can experience disbelief, and even discrimination, from friends, family, health and social care professionals and employers.

Information on entitlements to welfare benefits, accessing health and social care and others sources of support for patients and carers are available from Action for M.E. They also offer resources and services for children and young people affected by ME/CFS and their families.

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Autonomic Nervous System Abnormalities

Researchers are investigating links between autonomic system dysfunction and CFS. The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions, including regulating blood pressure.

Some people who have CFS also have symptoms of a condition known as neurally mediated hypotension . NMH causes a dramatic drop in blood pressure when a person stands up, for even as few as 10 minutes. Its immediate effects can be light-headedness, nausea, and fainting.

A related condition experienced by some people with CFS is called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome . POTS causes a rapid increase in blood pressure when changing from a lying down to a standing up position.

Personal And Medical History

The health care provider will take a careful personal and family medical history, and perform a thorough physical examination and psychological assessment. The provider will ask questions such as:

• When did the fatigue first begin?
• Does anything make it worse or better?
• Is it better at certain times of the day?
• Does physical or mental activity make it worse?
• What are your other symptoms?
• Has anyone else in your family experienced similar symptoms?
• Is your personal and professional life stressful?

The provider may also ask about any changes in weight or recent illnesses. You should tell your provider about any drugs you are taking, including over-the-counter medications, and vitamin, herbal, or dietary supplements. You may be asked to keep a diary for several weeks to record your activities and symptoms.

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What Does A Cfs Crash Feel Like

Some people with CFS/ME “crash” experience a period of immobilizing physical and/or mental fatigue. This often happens when a person is “overloaded” physically, mentally or emotionally. Some people with CFS have virus-like symptoms. They feel “unwell” and feverish, have a sore throat and swollen lymph glands.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is not the normal ups and downs experienced in everyday life. The early sign of this illness is a strong and noticeable fatigue that comes on suddenly and often comes and goes or never stops. It is not improved by bed rest and may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of the illness. CFS is diagnosed two to four times more often in women than in men possibly because of biological, psychological and social influences.

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Key Points About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by profound tiredness.
• Symptoms often worsen with physical or mental activity.
• In addition to severe fatigue, symptoms include light sensitivity, headache, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and depression.
• Treatments may include medicines, exercise, supplements, and counseling.

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /myalgic Encephalomyelitis

Chronic fatigue syndrome , also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis , is a chronic , complex and disabling illness that causes extreme fatigue and other symptoms that cannot be explained by any other medical condition.

If you have ME/CFS, you are likely to feel very tired, very often, even if you have not been active. You may also have a host of other symptoms.

Doctors do not yet understand the cause of ME/CFS, and there is no simple cure. If you or your child has ME/CFS, your doctor can suggest treatments you may find helpful.

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Treat The Worst Symptom First

Start by listing your worst symptomsthe ones that make it hardest to get through the day. With your doctor, focus first on treating those symptoms. Decide whether a specialist might be helpful for any of them.

The most common ME/CFS symptoms can also be the most treatable.

Symptoms worse after activity .

Learning how to manage your activity can help you be as active as possible without causing your symptoms to get worse. This includes:

• Estimating how much energy you have on a given day. This is sometimes called your “energy envelope.” You spend only that much energy, and not more.
• Estimating how much energy an activity takes and how long you can do that activity. You stop when you reach that time, and then take a break.
• Not pushing yourself to get more done on days you feel well.
• Adapting activities to make them easier. One example is sitting down while doing the dishes.

Sleep.

Good sleep habits can help improve the quality of your sleep. If you also try medicine for sleep, it’s best to start on a low dose. Certain antidepressants help with sleep, mood, and chronic pain, so your doctor may suggest trying one.

Whatever You Do: Choose Your Battles

Chronic fatigue syndrome never misses a chance to be heard when, say, you have a late night with friends or you try to do some strenuous gardening. Knowing this, I only go to battle with this illness when its worth it. For me, this means saying no to things like the office social or volunteering for the PTA. But a Garth Brooks concert? HELL YEAH!

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