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.
What Else Causes Fatigue
Some lifestyle habits can make you feel tired. Here are some things that may be draining your energy:
- Staying up too late. A good night’s sleep is important to feeling refreshed and energetic. Try going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Having too much caffeine. Drinking caffeinated drinks like soda, tea, or coffee late in the day can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep. Limit the amount of caffeine you have during the day and avoid it in the evening.
- Drinking too much alcohol.Alcohol changes the way you think and act. It may also interact with your medicines.
- Eating junk food. Say “no thanks” to food with empty calories, like fried foods and sweets, which have few nutrients and are high in fat and sugars. Choose nutritious foods to get the energy you need to do the things you enjoy.
- Getting too little or too much exercise. Regular exercise can boost your energy levels, but dont overdo it.
Psychological Reactions Secondary To Me/cfs: Distinction From Depression And Anxiety Disorders
Studies focusing on psychological problems in pediatric ME/CFS patients are limited. In this section, available studies have been supplemented by the insights of our experienced clinicians. It is important to distinguish: normal emotional reactions to ME/CFS from clinically significant psychiatric symptoms such as depression or anxiety secondary to ME/CFS and from a primary psychiatric illness such as Major Depressive Disorder or an anxiety disorder without co-existing ME/CFS.
Emotional Responses to a Chronic Illness
Emotional responses to the difficulties of ME/CFS are common. These responses are similar to the responses of young patients with other chronic illnesses. Grief and anger can arise over illness-related losses, from negative responses to the illness from family members, friends and school staff, and from the pervasive stigmatization of this particular illness. Apprehension commonly follows the onset of an illness, which can be undiagnosed and about which there is generally ignorance. There can be frustration with the inability to do things that were easily done beforehand. Outbursts of weeping can stem from excessive tiredness and/or feeling overwhelmed. Emotional distress can also occur because of disbelief by others regarding the reality of the illness, or by the prescription of inappropriate remedies by health-care providers.
Identifying Clinically Significant Depression and Anxiety Co-Existing with ME/CFS
Factitious disorder by proxy .
School refusal .
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How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed
CFS diagnosis depends on two criteria:
A specific treatment for CFS has yet to be proven effective. Vitamin supplements and medicines have some benefit. Many treatments just relieve the symptoms of CFS.
Is There A Cure For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Unfortunately, no. But there are methods for managing symptoms. As an article in The Atlantic eloquently explained in an interview with David Kaufman, the medical director of the Open Medicine Institute in Mountain View, California:
Simple diseases work like a chain of dominoes, with a clear cause setting off a series of possible symptoms, which hint at a diagnosis, and, usually, a standard treatment. Click, click, click, youre cured. Chronic fatigue is more like a pile of pick-up sticks: a giant mess in which no one can see a beginning or end. Most patients begin their history by saying something like, I was totally fine, and I got mono at 19 and Ive never been the same since, said Kaufman, who later treated Vastag .I want to find a single, neat, nice packaged cause. Every day I think Im less and less likely to find that.’
Some people who suffer from CFS are housebound or bedridden, long-term or for short periods of time. The majority of patients, however, are able to remain functional with a regime of different medications, therapies, exercise plans, or other interventions.
To learn more about what treatment options are available to you, click the link below. There, youll find a doctor who can review your chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms and provide options for finding relief.
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Presentation Course Of The Illness Prognosis
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome can begin suddenly, gradually, or with an abrupt increase in the intensity and frequency of milder chronic symptoms. There can be a history of repeated minor relapsing and remitting prodromal illnesses over the months or years preceding the onset. An acute onset of fever and viral-like symptoms is common, and the onset also can be marked by severe orthostatic symptoms. ME/CFS can follow a known illness such as infectious mononucleosis . A gradual onset is more common in younger children and can occur over months or years.
While all patients experience a substantial loss of physical and cognitive functioning, there is a wide spectrum of severity. Mildly affected young people might be able to attend school full-time or part-time, but they might have to limit sport and after-school activities and have frequent school absences. ME/CFS has been found to be the most common cause of long-term absence from school . More severely affected young people can be wheelchair dependent, housebound, or bedbound. The more impaired might even have difficulty participating in home tutoring sessions. In young persons with ME/CFS, overall self-reported quality of life is often lower than in other illnesses such as diabetes, epilepsy, and cystic fibrosis .
‘i Woke Up Gasping For Breath’
Jardine Howlett, a public relations manager from West Sussex, knows only too well the dangers pneumonia poses.
The 39-year-old went to bed the night before her son’s birthday in 2017, feeling unwell.
“I woke in the middle of the night gasping for breath,” she said.
“It was absolutely terrifying.”
Jardine desperately dialled 999 and with no time to kiss her son’s goodbye, she was rushed to hospital with lung failure, and coughing up blood in the back of the ambulance.
Within minutes of arriving at hospital, she was hooked up to IV antibiotics, transferred to ICU and put into an induced coma.
“It turned out I had pneumonia, caused by a bacterial infection,” she added.
“I didn’t return home for almost three months, I was lucky to return home at all.
“You think of pneumonia as something that only affects older people, but it can affect anyone, at any age and it can trigger life-threatening complications.”
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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can have many possible symptoms. The most common ones include:
- severe fatigue, which can make it hard to get out of bed and do normal daily activities
- sleep problems, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, or not having a refreshing sleep
- symptoms getting worse after physical or mental effort
- symptoms or dizziness that get worse after standing up or sitting upright from a lying down position
- problems with concentration and memory
- headaches and stomachaches
Home Remedies And Lifestyle Changes
Making some lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms.
Limiting or eliminating your caffeine intake can help you sleep better and ease your insomnia. You should limit or avoid nicotine and alcohol too.
Try to avoid napping during the day if its hurting your ability to sleep at night.
Create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and aim to wake up around the same time every day.
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Articles On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is more than feeling tired all the time. It comes with a lot of other symptoms that can make it hard to handle daily life. Even simple things like walking to the mailbox or writing a letter can make it worse. The fatigue and symptoms can last 6 months, or can go on for years. Sleep and rest donât make it better, either.
A doctor can help relieve your symptoms, but first you need to get diagnosed.
If you have ME/CFS, youâll have these three âcoreâ symptoms:
- Reduced ability to do usual activities for six months or more because of fatigue
- Worsening of symptoms . after usual physical or mental activity
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Along with the three symptoms, you must have one of these for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Problems with thinking and memory
- Worsening of symptoms while standing or sitting upright you might feel lightheaded, dizzy or weak, and you may have blurred vision or see spots.
Can Nootropics Help With Chronic Fatigue
Nootropics are supplements that have been shown to help with a variety of cognitive functions, including energy levels. Some nootropics that may be helpful for chronic fatigue include caffeine, piracetam, and Rhodiola rosea.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can help to increase energy levels and improve focus, while piracetam is a cognitive enhancer that can help to reduce brain fog and improve cognitive performance. Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen herb that has been shown to help improve energy levels and reduce stress levels.
Another good supplement to consider for the best energy supplements for chronic fatigue includes CBD. CBD is also known for its energizing properties. CBD is a non-psychotropic compound found in cannabis that does not produce the “high” associated with marijuana. CBD has been shown to help improve energy levels, reduce anxiety and stress, and improve sleep quality.
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Oral And Dental Issues
Dental and orofacial problems are found in many young people with ME/CFS, but are often neglected because the young patient is too ill to make dental office visits. Correction of dental problems can improve overall health. Commonly reported problems are xerostomia , dental caries, periodontal disease, bruxism, temporomandibular joint disorder and impacted third molar teeth.
Dental visits can be stressful, result in lingering discomfort and debilitating fatigue and recovery can be prolonged. Young patients with ME/CFS and orthostatic problems might not tolerate prolonged sitting in the dental chair and some young patients have difficulty in maintaining an open mouth for the duration of dental treatment.
During dental procedures, discomfort can be minimized by the use of a mouth prop to maintain an open posture of the mouth. The smallest size mouth prop that is effective should be used. Dentists also need to be familiar with the clinical features of OI and be prepared to treat patients at risk of developing syncope. Treatment planning of elective dentistry in more extensive cases should allow time between appointments to recover from fatigue.
Treatment for dental caries and periodontal disease follows standard dental practice. For those who might be concerned about whether mercury amalgam fillings should be avoided, all scientific and medical/dental organizations support the safety of amalgam.
Sore And Discolored Throat
A sore throat is a common complaint in CFS and may be accompanied by a dark red to purple discoloration may be seen at the back of the mouth and throat. This is known as crimson crescents. It is specifically the anterior tonsillar pillars that are discolored, which are the mucous membrane that lies just in front of the tonsils.
These structures may become red in color when inflamed as part of a sore throat or inflamed tonsils . However, the reason why this discoloration occurs in chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown. It a common sign in CFS can also occur in other conditions apart from tonsillopharyngitis and CFS.
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What Are The Symptoms Of German Measles
The symptoms of German measles are often so mild that theyre difficult to notice. When symptoms do occur, they usually develop within two to three weeks after the initial exposure to the virus. They often last about three to seven days and may include:
- pink or red rash that begins on the face and then spreads downward to the rest of the body
- mild fever, usually under 102°F
Severe Or Very Severe Cfs/me
If you have severe or very severe CFS/ME, you will need more frequent reviews and increased support and care. You should also be referred:
- To a physiotherapist or occupational therapist working in an CFS specialist team for support on developing energy management plans.
- To a dietician with a special interest in CFS.
The process and pace of any CBT should be adjusted to meet your needs. This might include shorter, less frequent sessions and longer-term goals.
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Alternative And Holistic Therapies
Alternative or holistic therapies may provide some comfort to those with a long standing illnesses but be cautious of any method that claims to offer a cure for chronic fatigue. If the therapy has not been published in respected peer-reviewed journal or is expensive you should talk to your GP before trying it. Until further research is done, no-one can be certain whether someone with CFS/ME might benefit from alternative therapies.
Is There A Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Test
There is no available test or bio marker for the illness. And, what makes this disorder baffling is the severity, type and number of symptoms individuals suffer from.
No single cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is known, and in fact it can be caused by multiple things, but it is likely that a trauma or several traumas of some description triggered it.
For example, trauma can come from one or more of the following:
- Hormone imbalance, such as adrenal fatigue.
- Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia.
- Immune system problems.
- Viral infections, such as glandular fever.
- Trauma from physical accidents.
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What Are The Treatments For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no cure or approved treatment for CFS, but you may be able to treat or manage some of your symptoms. You, your family, and your health care provider should work together to decide on a plan. You should figure out which symptom causes the most problems and try to treat that first. For example, if sleep problems affect you the most, you might first try using good sleep habits. If those do not help, you may need to take medicines or see a sleep specialist.
Strategies such as learning new ways to manage activity can also be helpful. You need to make sure that you do not “push and crash.” This can happen when you feel better, do too much, and then get worse again.
Since the process of developing a treatment plan and attending to self-care can be hard if you have CFS, it is important to have support from family members and friends.
Don’t try any new treatments without talking to your health care provider. Some treatments that are promoted as cures for CFS are unproven, often costly, and could be dangerous.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
What Is The Prognosis
The clinical course of CFS varies considerably among persons who have the disorder. The actual percentage of patients who recover is unknown, and even the definition of what should be considered recovery is subject to debate. Some patients recover to the point where they can resume work and other activities, but continue to experience various or periodic CFS symptoms. Some patients recover completely with time, and some grow progressively worse. CFS follows a cyclical course, alternating between periods of illness and relative well being.
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Signs You Could Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
by Holly | Autoimmune + Chronic Illness
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a complicated disorder. Youre exhausted all of the time. But the symptoms dont stop there. Weve compiled 25 signs of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for you to explore. If you are looking for answers, this is a great place to start.
The information provided on this website is not meant to be used, nor should it be used, to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. This information has NOT been evaluated by the FDA.This website is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of a physician. The reader should regularly consult their doctor in matters relating to his/her health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Full Disclosure Policy, Legal Clause, and Terms and Conditions Click HERE.
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Bare Performance Nutrition Strong Reds Strawberry
Image courtesy Bare Performance Nutrition
BPN Strong Reds is a super convenient blend of ingredients equivalent to multiple servings of whole fruits and vegetables. Combined with an antioxidant and probiotic digestive enzyme blend, BPN will not only increase your energy but also improve well-being by promoting alertness, wakefulness, enhancing performance, relieving fatigue and promoting endurance. In addition, BPN will assist in digestion and nutrient absorption!
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Viral And Other Infections
Post-viral fatigue syndrome or post-viral syndrome describes a type of chronic fatigue syndrome that occurs following a viral infection. A recent review found Epstein-Barr virus antibody activity to be higher in patients with CFS, and that a subset of patients with CFS were likely to have increased EBV activity compared to controls. Viral infection is a significant risk factor for CFS, with one study finding 22% of people with EBV experience fatigue six months later, and 9% having strictly defined CFS. A systematic review found that fatigue severity was the main predictor of prognosis in CFS, and did not identify psychological factors linked to prognosis.
Another review found that risk factors for developing CFS after mononucleosis, dengue fever, or Q-fever included longer bed-rest during the illness, poorer pre-illness physical fitness, attributing symptoms to physical illness, belief that a long recovery time is needed, as well as pre-infection distress and fatigue. The same review found biological factors such as CD4 and CD8 activation and liver inflammation are predictors of sub-acute fatigue but not CFS. However, these findings are not generally accepted due to the use of the Oxford criteria in selecting patients. The CDC does not recognize attribution of symptoms as a risk factor.
