Saturday, March 23, 2024

Treatment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

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Alternative Or Complementary Medicine

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Triggers, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Since there is no standard treatment for CFS/ME, people often consider alternatives to traditional medicine or use non-traditional treatments to complement their other medications. Commonly used alternative and complementary treatments include:

  • Mind-body treatments, like qigong, tai chi, and meditation
  • Trigger point therapy, called myofascial release
  • Chiropractic treatments

Complementary therapies have received mixed results when scientifically studied. Before beginning an alternative or complementary treatment, talk with your doctor to ensure that you arent trying something potentially dangerous.

What Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex and disabling disease. It has been classified as a neurological disorder by the World Health Organization, though it affects many parts of the body, including the brain and muscles, digestive, immune and cardiac systems.

The term myalgic encephalomyelitis means pain in the muscles, and inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. Scientists are starting to understand some of the biological changes in the bodies of people with ME/CFS, although they have not yet found how to prevent, or cure it.

Research has found that ME/CFS is associated with problems involving:

  • The bodys ability to produce energy at a cellular level
  • Immune, neurological and hormonal systems
  • Blood pressure and heart rate regulation
  • Cognition how quickly information is processed

ME/CFS affects men, women and children of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. 75-80% of people with the disease are female. It is estimated that up to 600,000 Victorians may be living with ME/CFS, and as many as 90% are undiagnosed.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Me/cfs

The key symptom or feature of ME/CFS is called post-exertional malaise . This means that your symptoms get worse after exercise or mental effort and dont improve after sleep or rest. PEM can be very disabling and can reduce your ability to function during regular daily activities. PEM is also common if you have long COVID.

ME/CFS may start suddenly or gradually over months or years. The level of activity that triggers your PEM will vary from person to person and can depend on how severe your condition is. For example, if your ME/CFS is relatively mild, you may experience PEM after going for a walk or a jog, but if your ME/CFS is severe, just reading a book or brushing your teeth could bring on your PEM. Your PEM may appear immediately after activity or may sometimes be delayed by up to 3 days. It can last for 24 hours or for a few days. A more serious relapse can last for weeks or months.

A common misconception is that people with ME/CFS have ‘chronic fatigue and are just very tired. Persistent and profound fatigue is just one symptom of ME/CFS.

Other common symptoms of ME/CFS, that may also increase with PEM include:

  • thinking problems, loss of memory or poor concentration
  • gastrointestinal changes such as nausea, constipation or diarrhoea
  • sensitivities to light or noise, food, medicines or chemicals
  • problems with temperature regulation

Everyone is different, so you might experience only mild symptoms, or you might develop more severe symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Involves Severe Fatigue Not Caused By Underlying Medical Conditions Be Informed Of The Risk Factors And Treatment Measures

Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome You Need To Know Chronic Fatigue ...

There is ongoing debate within the medical community about the best method of diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome . Well-known medically focused organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Mayo Clinic have defined clinical parameters that must be met in order to diagnose CFS as a medical condition.

A clinical diagnosis of CFS is given when a patient experiences excessive fatigue that is not considered a symptom of an existing medical condition. The fatigue does not get better after resting and may get worse after mental or physical exertion.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has in place a panel responsible for writing a report outlining how to diagnose CFS, which they now refer to as systemic exertion intolerance disease, or SEID.

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Other Lifestyle Changes To Manage Me/cfs

Other ways to manage ME/CFS include:

  • equipment â some people may need a blue badge for parking, a wheelchair, a stairlift, or other adaptations for their home
  • changes in your place of work or study â when you’re ready and well enough to return to work or studies, your doctor should be able to advise you on changes that could ease your return

There’s limited or no evidence to recommend:

  • resting completely â there’s no evidence this helps
  • complementary medicine â there is not enough evidence that it’s helpful for ME/CFS

You should not take up vigorous unsupervised exercise such as going to the gym or for a run as this may make your symptoms worse.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

CFS treatment is primarily targeted towards relieving the symptoms to allow the patient to live his/her life normally. The doctor will make a treatment plan based on the symptoms and their severity. The treatment for the condition may involve taking medications like sleeping pills for those with sleeping problems and antidepressants to combat depression. Drugs may also be combined with therapy to make the treatment more effective. The patient may have to go through psychological counseling and graded exercise programs for strength and stamina.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Brain Fog

For anyone who isnt clear on what Brain Fog is, some of the symptoms include:

  • Becoming easily confused
  • Lack of ability to concentrate
  • Lack of ability to multi-task due to lack of concentration
  • Inability to recall words during a sentence , forgetting why you started the sentence or mixing words around and not noticing
  • Short term memory problems
  • Inability to carry out simple calculations or mathematical problems
  • Losing things and not being able to find them, as you usually would
  • Becoming easily lost and disoriented in places you usually know well

Brain Fog generally tends to get worse when you are anxious, worried, rushed or dealing with too much information at once. It can also occur when youre dealing with sensory overload, for example, too many bright lights or too much noise. I used to get completely overwhelmed in shopping centres and supermarkets, and would feel panicky and closed in. Once this had happened a few times, my parents knew to only offer to take me shopping to get me out of the house if they knew it was going to be quiet.

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Children Young People And Me/cfs

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

ME/CFS can affect people of all ages, including the very young. Young people with ME/CFS, especially children under the age of ten, might have trouble knowing or articulating that something is wrong. They may not realise that their loss of stamina, or other symptoms they are experiencing, are not normal. Alternatively, they may not have the words to describe what they are feeling.

For both younger children and teenagers, schooling can be affected but ME/CFS is not school refusal. While school refusal can often be accompanied by physical complaints , and these complaints may tend to disappear when the young person stays home, the pattern is different with ME/CFS. In a young person with ME/CFS, some symptoms never ease and symptom exacerbation is triggered by activity. In ME/CFS, symptoms are likely to be worse after school attendance, and can reduce with pacing and rest, which includes time away from school or during holidays.

Some young people with ME/CFS can continue to attend school, and others may be too unwell for regular classroom attendance. Parents, healthcare providers, schools and the child or teenager need to work together to come up with a plan for the young persons continued education. This plan needs to take into account the energy limits of ME/CFS. Being creative and flexible is key and might include things like fewer subjects or school from home.

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Does Anxiety Cause Brain Fog

Anxiety and stress are some of the main causes of Brain Fog to healthy individuals. The modern way of life requires endless hours at work and shrinks the time you have for yourself. Fear for the future and uncertainty are the roots of anxiety and stress for most people. That is why you should reduce your anxiety to the lowest possible level if you want to effectively deal with brain fog symptoms.

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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Common Brain Fog Causes

  • Medical conditions

Each persons experience with brain fog is unique so that brain fog can be caused by a number of different factors.

In this blog post, I am going to focus onnatural brain fog remedies that have been shown scientifically to help with brain fatigue and other symptoms associated with brain fog, including poor concentration, mental confusion, and lack of memory recall.

Its important to note that brain fog can be a symptom of other underlying health conditions.

So, if you are experiencing brain fog and it does not go away after trying some of the remedies listed below, it is important to see a doctor for further evaluation.

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Diagnostic Criteria For Me/cfs Using The National Academy Of Medicine Clinical Criteria

The Relief Products® » Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Therapy

For a diagnosis of ME/CFS, the person must have the following three symptoms:

  • Substantial reduction in functioning and persistent and profound fatigue for at least 6 months. The person is unable to undertake the same level of activity before they became ill. Their fatigue is not the result of significant exertion and is not substantially alleviated by rest.
  • Post-exertional malaise.
  • Diagnosis also requires at least one of the following two symptoms:

  • Cognitive impairment .
  • Orthostatic intolerance .
  • It is important to note that these are not the only symptoms of ME/CFS, just the minimum needed to meet the diagnostic criteria.

    While diagnosis requires that a person has had symptoms continually for six months, early intervention with pacing and rest can help reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and reduce the risk of exacerbating the disease. Research suggests that patients who are able to pace their activity and not push themselves tend to do better in the long term. Pacing and rest can start even prior to an official diagnosis.

    While there is currently no cure and no evidence-based treatments, it is important to find a doctor who is not only sympathetic to ME/CFS, but can work with you to help manage your symptoms.

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    How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Treated

    There is no standard treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, clinically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome . However, there are many options for managing symptoms and improving quality of life, including lifestyle changes, stress management, therapy, and medications. With the help of your healthcare provider and other caregivers, these can be tailored to your specific symptoms.

    Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin

    Identify Treatments Youve Tried

    In addition to tracking the symptoms you have experienced, keep a list of treatments you have tried. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a medications and supplements list you can use to track your medications, their dosage, how well they help, and if you experienced side effects. Write a separate list of other treatments you have tried beyond medications and supplements, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise, acupuncture, or meditation.

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    Treatment For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Currently there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. Current treatment focuses on symptom relief. The most troublesome or disabling symptoms are typically addressed first, Nath says.

    Common ways to manage chronic fatigue syndrome is to schedule activities that take into account energy levels that can help relieve some stress that the illness puts on people.

    According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, cognitive behavior therapy and exercise that gradually increases over time have been shown to moderately improve fatigue levels, help patients with their day-to-day activities and manage anxiety and post-exertional malaise.

    Depending on the person, chronic fatigue syndrome can last anywhere from six months to a few years, making it important to work with a health care team to find effective ways to find symptom relief and develop strategies that improve quality of life.

    Take your health in your own hands and be proactive in finding an integrative or functional medicine provider that can guide you through a multi-pronged approach to support your body while it recovers and heals, eventually eliminating your symptoms, Sridhar says.

    What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

    Symptoms of CFS often mimic the flu. The following are the most common symptoms of CFS. However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

    • Sensitivity to light
    • Low-grade fever

    The symptoms of CFS may look like other medical conditions. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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    Mental Health Support And Me/cfs

    ME/CFS is not a psychological disorder. However, living with a chronic illness is challenging, especially one that involves missing out on normal life activities, and this may lead to mental health problems like anxiety or depression.

    Speaking with a qualified mental health professional who understands the challenges of living with ME/CFS can be very helpful. They can help with things such as coping with changes to schooling, employment or social activities, and symptoms such as difficulty with sleep or pain. With the availability of Medicare rebates for telehealth, many mental health practitioners now offer remote consultations which makes healthcare more accessible for those who are housebound or bedbound with ME/CFS.

    Treatment Plans For Me/cfs

    There’s no single way of managing ME/CFS that works for everyone, but there are a number of treatment options.

    The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence says you should be offered a treatment plan tailored to your symptoms.

    Your doctor should discuss all of the options with you, and explain the benefits and risks of any treatment.

    They should work with you to develop a treatment plan that suits you and takes into account your circumstances and preferences.

    You may need advice about making lifestyle changes, specialist treatments, or a combination of both.

    If your symptoms are severe, your doctor should ask a specialist for advice.

    Your treatment plan should be reviewed regularly.

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    Support And Coping Skills

    The young person with ME/CFS needs to learn to adapt to the reality of the illness, and integrate it into a meaningful life despite sometimes severe physical limitations. Above all, the young patient needs to develop a sense of achievement in her/his life, however, small.

    All aspects of the young persons life might need to be addressed. She/he might need to deal not only with physical and cognitive limitations, but also with misunderstanding of the illness, fear, grief, anger, guilt and isolation. Sometimes having ME/CFS can result in abnormal illness behavior, such as denial of the reality of the illness.

    A patients needs early in the illness might differ from her/his needs in later years, as health improvement is being achieved. Young patients should be encouraged to verbalize their fears and needs. Only the young person her/himself knows how she/he really feels. For instance, many young people fear getting behind their peers academically, never being able to catch up, and consequently losing friends. There should be opportunity to talk things through with a trusted professional who understands the illness. Although the parents can be present, the discussion should be primarily with the patient, so that she/he is also involved in decision making and feels part of the team approach. Teenagers usually need an opportunity for discussion without a parent present.

    Our experience suggests that the following elements of basic supportive therapy can be helpful:

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    Symptoms And Signs Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    8 Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Before onset of CFS, most patients are highly functioning and successful.

    Onset is usually abrupt, often following a psychologically or medically stressful event. Many patients report an initial viral-like illness with swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue, fever, and upper respiratory symptoms. The initial syndrome resolves but seems to trigger protracted severe fatigue, which interferes with daily activities and typically worsens with exertion but is alleviated poorly or not at all by rest. Patients often also have disturbances of sleep and cognition, such as memory problems, “foggy thinking,” hypersomnolence, and a feeling of having had unrefreshing sleep. Important general characteristics are diffuse pains and sleep problems.

    The physical examination is normal, with no objective signs of muscle weakness, arthritis, neuropathy, or organomegaly. However, some patients have low-grade fever, nonexudative pharyngitis, and/or palpable or tender lymph nodes.

    Because patients typically appear healthy, friends, family, and even health care practitioners sometimes express skepticism about their condition, which can worsen the frustration and/or depression patients often feel about their poorly understood disorder.

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