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Treatment Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

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What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
  • Take along a list of all the symptoms you are experiencing in case you forget some of them during your talk with the doctor or nurse.
  • Talk about how much you can do at work or school and around the house.
  • Ask if there are any financial supports or services you could apply for.
  • Ask for help with pain, sleep and remaining active if these are problems for you.
  • Ask about what you should be eating.

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Other Treatment Options For All Patients

Ampligen , a drug therapy which is still experimental had the crowd buzzing about how effective it was. Users applauded the dramatic physical and cognitive symptoms improvements of the experimental drug. Although the drug is regarded as a miracle drug there were still few people who reported the drug did not work for them at all .

Intravenous saline, usually given to patients who crashed to help pick them up.

The antiviral or antibiotic medication the combination drugs has worked for so many patients.

Non-drug therapies Graded exercise therapy, chiropractic therapy, pacing, other physical exercises.

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 .

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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.

Treatments For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

Since researchers do not yet fully understand the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis and people with the illness can experience a wide variety of symptoms, multiple treatments exist. Treatments are aimed at managing and reducing the severity of CFS/ME symptoms, rather than at curing the illness.

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Complementary And Alternative Medicine

CFS/ME patients tend to use more alternative medicine treatments than people without . Patients often leave orthodox medical care because they feel that their condition has been unjustifiably attributed to psychological causes: they are given the message that it is all in the mind. In a twin study, 91% of twins with CFS/ME and 71% without CFS/ME used at least one alternative treatment. A large proportion of the study participants stated that alternative treatments were helpful .

Pragmatic Rehabilitation: The Fine Trial

Pragmatic rehabilitation is a programme involving gradually increasing activity designed collaboratively by the patient and the therapist. In response to an earlier successful trial, a larger trial was conducted. In this trial, patients fulfilling 1991 Oxford CFS criteria who were allocated to pragmatic rehabilitation reported a statistically significant though clinically modest improvement in fatigue compared with patients allocated to either supportive listening or treatment as usual, but after 12 months followup the differences were no longer statistically significant nor was there was any significant improvement in physical functioning at any time. About 10% of the trial participants were nonambulatory and about 30% met 1994 London criteria for ME, but separate results for these groups were not published . An accompanying editorial gave some possible reasons for the failure to replicate the earlier success in this trial, and called for further research. The patients in this trial had higher comorbidity and disability than patients in the earlier trial and in most other trials, and received fewer sessions than most successful trials of CBT and GET. The editorial also raised the question of whether generalists are as successful as specialists in offering behavioural interventions .

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Discussing Treatment Options With A Doctor

The medical community differs over the exact treatment courses for those living with CFS. Youll need to work closely with a healthcare team to determine which symptoms are impacting your quality of life the most.

You may start with treatment of these issues and progress to others in time. Many treatment options are available, ranging from over-the-counter drugs to alternative therapies.

The most effective treatment for CFS is the one thats catered to you and your specific symptoms. A doctor may suggest a variety of treatments depending on what youre experiencing and what your treatment goals are.

Preparing For An Appointment

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment | Brain Fog Answers

If you have signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, you’re likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. It can be difficult to absorb all of the information provided during an appointment, so you might want to arrange for a friend or family member to accompany you. Having someone else hear the information can help you later in case there’s something you missed or forgot.

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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.

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Ayurveda Perspective On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can affect physical and mental health, a sign of an increase in Vata dosha. Vata gets vitiated in mental, physical, and emotional aspects. This can cause negative effects throughout the body. From forgetfulness to fogginess, the nervous system is damaged to the destruction of muscles, cramps, and spasms, all of which are signs of Vata imbalance. This condition can make you feel tired as well as dry and depleted.

Numerous causes of Vata imbalance. If the dosha gets aggravated due to various factors, as mentioned above, it can lead to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Ayurveda describes deficiency of rasa Dhatu and Ojas due to Ojas because of the aggravation of Vata that causes CFS.

Can This Condition Be Cured

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

Not everyone makes full recovery but the majority of sufferers do improve with time. Moreover, symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome fluctuate between mild to severe periodically. Reviews reports that younger people have higher and better chances of complete healing than adults. It means if treatment is done early enough, children can be cured and thus have a chance of leading a normal life.

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How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed

CFS diagnosis depends on two criteria:

  • Severity and duration. The severe and chronic tiredness lasts for more than 6 months and other medical conditions have been ruled out.
  • Number of symptoms. Four or more symptoms of CFS are present.
  • 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.

    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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    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.

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Defined

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Triggers, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

    Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating condition that brings feelings of extreme fatigue to a person. Most often than not, this condition cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition. People living with CFS primarily complain about feeling exhausted the majority of the time, even after sleeping for long hours. The fatigue a person with CFS feels can be so severe that it begins to interfere with their life. CFS can affect a persons ability to work, study, or fulfill everyday responsibilities. This condition can potentially reduce a persons quality of life.

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    Eating And Drinking Habits

    Diet can affect how tired or energetic a person feels. Maintaining a moderate and well-balanced diet can lead to better health and better sleep.

    Here are some tips to try:

    • Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day.
    • Eat snacks that are low in sugar.
    • Avoid highly processed food and follow a healthful diet.
    • Consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
    • Avoid consuming caffeine in the afternoon and evening.

    There are many foods that help beat fatigue.

    Impact And Prognosis Of Me/cfs

    Pharmacoecon Open.

    BMC Public Health.J Chronic Fatigue Syndr.

    Br J Occup Ther.

    • Mild: mobile and self-caring may continue working but will have reduced other activities
    • Moderate: reduced mobility, restricted in instrumental activities of daily living, needs frequent periods of rest usually not working
    • Severe: mostly housebound limited to minimal activities of daily living severe cognitive difficulties may be wheelchair dependent
    • Very severe: mostly bedridden unable to independently carry out most activities of daily living often experience extreme sensitivity to light, sound, and other sensory input

    Am J Epidemiol.Chronic Illn.

    Qual Life Res.Disabil Rehabil.Occup Med .

    Rehabil Psychol.Front Pediatr.Fatigue.

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    Memory And Concentration Problems

    Memory aids, like organizers and calendars, can help with memory problems. For people with ME/CFS who have concentration problems, some doctors have prescribed stimulant medications, like those typically used to treat Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder . While stimulants might help improve concentration for some patients with ME/CFS, they might lead to the push-and-crash cycle and worsen symptoms. Push-and-crash cycles are when someone with ME/CFS is having a good day and tries to push to do more than they would normally attempt .

    Dietary Modification For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Emerson Villela Carvalho Jr., M.D.: Chronic fatigue syndrome renamed ...

    Although diet alone cannot cure chronic fatigue syndrome, eating certain foods are known to worsen or ease the symptoms of the condition. Patients with CFS are prone to weight problems. Due to physical inactivity caused by tiredness and muscle pain these people may gain weight

    Commonly, chronic fatigue syndrome patients may feel they need to eat more in order to gain more strength to control the tiredness. Some medication can also increase peoples appetite. All these factors contribute to weight gain which is not a desired outcome as it might lead to other diseases.

    However, some people may lose weight as a result of appetite loss, nauseated feeling, inability to buy or cook food. Moreover, irritable bowel symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain can further contribute to weight loss.

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    How Does Ayurvedic Treatment Help With Cfs

    The first step towards treating this medical condition is to understand the root cause of this illness. There are many factors that can contribute towards Fibromyalgia pain, these include poor dietary habits, lack of exercise and physical activity, certain types of medication usage, etc. All these factors eventually lead to imbalances in Vata Dosha which influences all bodily functions. It then produces excessive quantities of Dosha that further suppresses vitiated Pitta Dosha that controls body temperature regulation. This leads to the production of excess amounts of toxins within the body which causes stiffness in muscles making sufferers feel very tired and weak due to weak immune systems.

    Ayurvedic Diet For Treatment Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Ayurveda also specifies certain dietary guidelines for CFS patients:

    1) A diet completely devoid of spices,

    2) Eating only easily digestible foods such as rice ,

    3) Avoiding cold and frozen foods especially during winter months,

    4) Avoiding dry and rough food items such as raw salads, fruits with the skin still attached, etc.,

    5) Eliminating sour foods such as alcoholic beverages , fermented foods such as yogurt, and dried fruits such as apricots.

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    Causes Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Despite considerable research, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome remains unknown. Controversy exists as to whether there is a single cause or many causes and whether the cause is physical or mental, but either way the symptoms are very real to the person.

    Some researchers believe the syndrome ultimately will prove to have several causes, including genetic predisposition and exposure to microbes, toxins, and other physical and emotional factors.

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    Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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    Can Complementary Or Alternative Medicine Help Manage The Symptoms Of Me/cfs

    Some people say that complementary or alternative medicine has helped their ME/CFS symptoms. Keep in mind that many alternative treatments, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies claim to cure ME/CFS, but some might do more harm than good. Talk to your doctor before trying alternative therapies to be sure theyre safe.

    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 To Expect From Your Doctor

    Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

    • What are your symptoms and when did they begin?
    • Does anything make your symptoms better or worse?
    • Do you have problems with memory or concentration?
    • Are you having trouble sleeping?
    • How often do you feel depressed or anxious?
    • How much do your symptoms limit your ability to function? For example, have you ever had to miss school or work because of your symptoms?
    • What treatments have you tried so far for this condition? How have they worked?

    Concluding Remarks And Future Directions

    Role of Physiotherapy with Chronic Fatigue

    This review suggests that the beneficial effects of nutritional supplements are not random, but that their action is due to the removal of one of the causes of the CFS/ME. There is evidence that supplements may benefit CFS/ME patients therefore, nutritional supplements should be recommended, at least in CFS/ME patients with a biochemically proven deficiency. Studies investigating nutritional interventions in CFS/ME remain very limited most studies have had small sample sizes, and lacked long term followup . Despite the relative consistency in case definition, the studies differed with regard to inclusion and exclusion criteria and reporting participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features . This heterogeneity in study design makes the application of the findings to the clinical setting more difficult. Therefore, longerterm RCTs in homogeneous populations that use more specific case criteria are now warranted.

    In agreement with several previous studies, pacing was consistently shown to be the most helpful treatment, CBT was useful for some patients but not all for all graded training may cause the condition to worsen. However, the results must be interpreted with care, as the participants are not a representative sample.

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