Tuesday, April 16, 2024

What Doctor Diagnoses Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

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Health Risk Related To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What happens when you have a disease doctors can’t diagnose | Jennifer Brea

ME/CFS can cause various grades of disability in individual people. Similar to other chronic conditions, ME/CFS can range anywhere from mild to severe.

  • Mild The Sufferers activity is decreased by at least 50 percent
  • Moderate The sufferer is mainly housebound
  • Severe The sufferer is bed-bound and reliant on assistance for all daily care

People suffering from ME/CFS are often too affected by symptoms to work effectively, attend school, socialize, and handle personal affairs. This can lead to a persons financial well-being declining. It is also common in the community to misunderstand ME/CFS and claim that a sufferer is simply tired, that the conditions are psychosomatic, and that sufferers should simply push through their symptoms. These outlooks are not unhelpful but can also compel a person with ME/CFA to push beyond their limitations, which can cause deterioration and cause their illness to worsen.

Implications For Future Research And Clinical Practice

Current training and education for GPs fails to prepare them for diagnosing and managing patients with CFS/ME as recommended by current guidelines. It seems that GPs do not have a clear model for CFS/ME. Educational initiatives are needed that are aimed at providing GPs with an acceptable model of the condition, supporting them in confidently making the diagnosis and helping them to initiate management based on their model. Passive educational interventions, however, have been shown to be ineffective and more interactive educational initiatives perhaps involving patients as teachers should be considered .

Comparison With Existing Literature

CFS/ME was seen as a contentious illness by many of the GPs in this study, viewing the condition of CFS/ME with scepticism, similar to descriptions in previous research , where GPs did not consider CFS/ME to be a genuine illness. This qualitative study confirms findings from previous quantitative work suggesting that GPs are unconfident in the diagnosis of CFS/ME .

Most GPs don’t see enough patients with CFS/ME to become experienced in the diagnosis of this condition, and it has been shown that GPs can change their attitudes towards CFS/ME when a person who they know developed it . The NICE guidelines suggest that negative attitudes and uncertainty about the condition make it difficult for GPs to establish a relationship with patients and that healthcare professionals should acknowledge the reality and impact of the condition and it’s symptoms . The NICE guidelines also recognise the need for a supportive and collaborative relationship with patients with CFS/ME to facilitate their effective management and other guidelines stress that where possible CFS/ME should be managed locally . GPs in this study reported lack of confidence in confirming the diagnosis of CFS/ME themselves, and that there were limited referral options locally. In addition, they expressed scepticism about the value of referral, having had previous negative experiences.

Read Also: How To Be Diagnosed With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Herbal Remedies For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Planet Ayurveda offers effective herbal remedies such as Ashwagandha Capsules, Chanderprabha Vati, Atirasadi Churna, Gandhak Rasayan & Shilajit Capsules for ayurvedic treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. These herbal remedies are prepared from using best quality herbs and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. All these herbal remedies of Planet Ayurveda are 100 percent pure, natural and vegetarian. These are free from chemicals, additives and preservatives. These are safe to use as these are free from side effects.

These are herbal tablets which are made from Shuddh Gandhak . The word rasayan means rejuvenation. Its natural property is to rejuvenate the body without any side effects. It helps to remove toxins from body.

DOSE: 2 tablets twice in a day with plain water after meals.

These are pure natural herbal capsules which are made from shilajit herb . It is natural herb which is used to relieve any kind of physical and mental stress. It contains numerous vitamins and nutrients which provide stamina to body. It has positive effect on mind and also improves body metabolism.

DOSE: 2 capsules twice in a day with milk or water after meals.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Symptoms In Children And Adolescents

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ME/CFS in children and adolescents is characterised by overwhelming fatigue with a substantial loss of physical and mental stamina. Cardinal features are malaise and a worsening of symptoms following minimal physical or mental exertion. These post-exertional symptoms can persist for hours, days or weeks and are not relieved by rest or sleep. Other symptoms include cognitive problems, unrefreshing or disturbed sleep, generalised or localised pain, and light-headedness. Although some young patients can attend school, on a full or part-time basis, many others are wheelchair-dependent, housebound or bed-bound.

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How To Get Rid Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Unfortunately, those diagnosed with CFS have to learn to live with the condition. However, symptoms can come and go in waves or cycles, so you may have periods where you feel a lot better, followed by a spell where your symptoms return, and you feel worse. Some CFS patients experience periods of remission but still have to be careful not to trigger a relapse. CFS is a health condition that can be managed and minimised with specialist help but not altogether cured.

How Does This Self

For each of the following questions, you will be asked to select one of the following options to indicate the frequency of your symptoms: never, very rarely, rarely, occasionally, frequently, or always. Your unique answers will then be used to calculate your results and determine whether your symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. Further unique educational information will be shown in accordance with your results, and all results are strictly confidential.

Please note and acknowledge that this self-assessment is not intended to establish a physician-patient relationship, to replace the services of a trained physician or health care professional, or otherwise to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The aim of this quiz is to provide education about the condition. By filling out this self-assessment and clicking calculate you acknowledge that youve read and agree with this statement and agree to re-origins Terms & Conditions.

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Do I Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Or Long

Long-haul COVID-19 symptoms, such as severe fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and even PEM, can mimic those found in CFS.

If youve recently had COVID-19 and noticed persistent symptoms even after recovering, talk with a doctor. They can help narrow down whether you have long COVID, CFS, or something else.

Symptom Management For People With Me/cfs

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | Triggers, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Rest and sleepRest periods are part of all management strategies for ME/CFS. Introduce rest periods into the daily routine, including how often and for how long, as appropriate for each person. Relaxation techniques at the beginning of each rest period can be helpful. Common changes in sleep patterns seen in ME/CFS include broken or shallow sleep, altered sleep pattern or hypersomnia.

Take into account the need for rest in the day, and balance this against how the person is sleeping at night. Introduce changes to sleep patterns gradually. If sleep management strategies do not improve the person’s sleep and rest, think about the possibility of an underlying sleep disorder or dysfunction and whether to refer to an appropriate specialist.

Physical functioning and mobilityStrategies to maintain and prevent deterioration of physical functioning and mobility need to be carried out in small amounts and spread out throughout the day. Strategies should include joint mobility, muscle flexibility, balance, postural and positional support, muscle function, bone health and cardiovascular health.

At every contact, people with severe or very severe ME/CFS or those with prolonged periods of immobility should be assessed for areas at risk of pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis and any risk of contractures.

PainChronic pain is commonly associated with ME/CFS. Consider referring the person to specialist pain services if appropriate.

Self-management strategies should include:

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What Do Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms Look Like

Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms feel very different to the period of recovery after an illness, or even the tiredness experienced by sufferers of depression. Chronic fatigue syndrome makes you feel so tired that you cant do anything. If you have CFS, you may struggle to read to the end of this webpage.

Do you:

  • Feel permanently exhausted not just down to a busy lifestyle, but exhausted even after a period of rest?
  • Have trouble sleeping or staying asleep?
  • Suffer from brain fog or have difficulty focusing?
  • Feel fatigue even upon waking up?
  • Constantly suffer from headaches?
  • Feel completely floored for a few days after exercising or thinking hard?
  • Suffer from joint or muscle pain?
  • Have enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits or neck?
  • Have a sore throat?

If so, then you may have chronic fatigue syndrome.

Your doctor may wish to rule out other conditions before diagnosing CFS. These conditions include, but are not limited to: lupus, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, mono, and thyroid disease.

Read Also: What Are The Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue

How Long Does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Last

Unfortunately, chronic fatigue syndrome is an ongoing condition with no absolute cure. People diagnosed with CFS are helped to manage their condition rather than given treatment to resolve it. Your health care team will work with you to formulate a personalised management programme that will combine a multidisciplinary approach that includes pain relief, lifestyle changes and gentle physical exercise.

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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Theres a long list of possible symptoms that someone with chronic fatigue syndrome can have. 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

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

How Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Is Diagnosed
  • Im always tired. Is there something wrong with me?
  • Do I need any tests to help determine why Im so tired all the time?
  • What is the likely cause of my fatigue?
  • Will alternative therapies such as yoga or acupuncture help?
  • Do I need to make any diet or lifestyle changes?
  • Is it safe for me to exercise? What kind of exercise should I do?
  • How do I convince people that my fatigue is real?

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What Else Could It Be

Many people who have ME/CFS have other conditions, too. If you get treated for those, it might also improve your chronic fatigue.

ME/CFS can look a lot like âmonoâ , Lyme disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, or depression. It affects about 2.5 million Americans, but experts believe only about 20% are diagnosed.

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Diagnosis And Treatment For Me/cfs

Currently, there is no single test to diagnose ME/CFS. Doctors make a diagnosis by excluding all other illnesses that might be causing symptoms and following accepted diagnostic criteria. The persons results from routine medical tests will often be normal, but additional tests may show abnormalities.

Read Also: Low Grade Fever And Fatigue

Living With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

There are strategies for dealing with the daily challenges of CFS. These may work for you, especially in combination with medications prescribed by your doctor.

  • Keep a daily diary to identify times when you have the most energy. Plan your activities for these times.
  • Keep up some level of activity and exercise, within your abilities. Your doctor can help you plan an exercise program to maintain your strength at whatever level is possible. Exercise can help your body and mind.
  • Give yourself permission to recognize and express your feelings, such as sadness, anger, and frustration.
  • Ask for support from family and friends. Look for support groups or counseling in your community. Your doctor is another important source of help. Emotional support is important in coping with a chronic health problem.
  • If your memory and concentration are affected by chronic fatigue, keep lists and make notes to remind yourself of important things. Also, give yourself more time for activities that take concentration. Medicine may also help you sleep better, which might improve your memory and concentration.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS, SEID)? A Doctor Explains

There is no one identifiable cause for CFS. Medical professionals theorise that CFS can be triggered by things such as an infection, major trauma or a very stressful life event that can make people more prone to developing this health condition. Some suggested causes for CFS include pneumonia, glandular fever, a weakened immune system, a genetic predisposition, and a hormone imbalance.

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Appendix 1 The Interview Guide

What follows is a guide some themes may emerge spontaneously so the order of the questions varied as the interview and analysis phase developed allowing for the exploration of themes from the initial interview. The researcher probed and asked for examples to explore each topic as time permitted.

  • 1.

    Tell me about your experience of working with patients with chronic fatigue

  • a.

    What do you understand by the term CFS/ME?

  • b.

    What factors do you think cause it? Maintain it?

  • 2.

    What do you do when someone presents with tiredness?

  • 3.

    When and why would a diagnosis of CFS/ME come about?

  • a.

    How do you feel about making a diagnosis? Why?

  • b.

    What role do you think GPs have in diagnosing CFS/ME?

  • c.

    What role do guidelines play in your diagnosis?

  • d.

    What could help with diagnosis?

  • 4.

    What do you feel a diagnosis does for the patient? For how you manage the patient?

  • 5.

    Do you refer patients to a specialist? If so, who to and why?

  • 6.

    does a diagnosis effect your interactions or relationship with a patient?

  • a.

    Do your perceptions/feelings about that patient change?

  • b.

    What kind of doctor-patient relationship helps manage effectively with these patients?

  • 7.

    How would you approach a newly registered patient with a pre-existing diagnosis of CFS/ME?

  • Shortness Of Breath And Tiredness

    You should be worried if you have been feeling tired, exhausted, or breathless, for longer durations of time. It could surely spell trouble for you if you have been experiencing these symptoms for over six months now, especially when there are no medical reasons for them to occur. A few medical tests could ascertain the underlying cause.

    It may also come from ingesting toxins or after Hepatitis or Jaundice and can leave you hollowed out from within. Whatever be the underlying causes, we recommend going for the requisite pulmonary function tests to determine if your total lung capacity has reduced, and if so, what corrective measures can you take to set it right faster.

    Note: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as an ailment is easy to detect but takes time to go away, and may signify some serious health conditions related to the liver and heart. The sooner you get it diagnosed, the better it is.

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    Should I See A Rheumatologist For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    If you go to see your GP and they suspect that you have CFS, they will usually refer you to see a specialist, such as a neurologist or a rheumatologist, to check for other health conditions that may be a cause for your symptoms.

    A specialist rheumatologist such as myself can run a series of tests to help find the cause. You may have other health conditions and still have chronic fatigue syndrome.

    There Are15doctors Who Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome In Abbeville Find The Best For You:

    Doctors Gates: How is difficult to diagnose Chronic fatigue syndrome
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    • Rated 4.60 out of 5 stars, with 4210 U S Highway 167Maurice, LA70555
    • Rated 3.10 out of 5 stars, with 118 N Hospital DrAbbeville, LA70510
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    • Rated 4.60 out of 5 stars, with 802 N Manceaux AveKaplan, LA70548
    • Rated 3.20 out of 5 stars, with 304 N Hospital Dr # AAbbeville, LA70510
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    • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 118 N Hospital DrAbbeville, LA70510
    • Rated 4.20 out of 5 stars, with 402 E EDWARD STErath, LA70533
    • Rated 3.80 out of 5 stars, with 1009 Charity StAbbeville, LA70510

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    Articles On Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    Thereâs no simple blood test or X-ray to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome â also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome . And many of the symptoms of the illness — deep tiredness, unrelieved by rest or sleep, feeling worse after physical or mental exertion, trouble concentrating, feeling worse after standing and remaining on oneâs feet and other symptoms– are also seen in other conditions, too, making the diagnosis of ME/CFS more difficult.

    How Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed

    Your doctor diagnoses ME/CFS by performing a mental and physical examination. Doctors will ask about your medical history and order blood and urine tests to check for infection. In many cases, doctors refer people with suspected ME/CFS to other specialists to rule out other illnesses that could be causing symptoms.

    For your doctor to diagnose ME/CFS, you must have these 3 symptoms:

    • Severe fatigue lasting at least 6 months that does not improve with rest or sleep
    • Difficulty sleeping
    • Fatigue that gets worse after mental or physical exercise

    Additionally, you must have at least 1 of the following symptoms:

    • Orthostatic intolerance

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    Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Essentials Of Diagnosis And Management

    • Alison C. BestedAffiliations
    • Lily ChuCorrespondenceCorrespondence: Address to Lily Chu, MD, MSHS, Independent Consultant, 16 Lorton Ave, Unit 4, Burlingame, CA 94010.
    • Nancy G. KlimasAffiliationsInstitute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL
    • Jose G. MontoyaAffiliationsDr Jack S. Remington Laboratory for Specialty Diagnostics, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, Palo Alto, CA
    • Irma R. ReyAffiliationsInstitute for Neuro Immune Medicine, Dr Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL

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