![]() Molly's Fund Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Contents: What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? What are the symptoms of CFS? How is CFS diagnosed? Causes. Treatment. ![]() Living with CFSThe cycles of CFSPreparing for a doctor’s visit. In Conclusion. What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a debilitating and very complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue. This type of fatigue is not improved by getting rest. It may be made worse by physical or mental activity and can limit your ability to complete ordinary daily activities. CFS can affect multiple systems in the body causing muscle pain or weakness, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog), and insomnia (the inability to sleep). Those who suffer from lupus and other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, just to name a few, are often chronically tired. This leaves many wondering, is it CFS or is it just fatigue? Hopefully this blog will help clarify the difference and how to speak with your physician about this very real and under- recognized medical condition. Back to top. What are the symptoms of CFS? The main symptom of CFS is severe and debilitating fatigue that lasts for six months or more. It is possible that you have CFS, but you could also have another treatable disorder. Only a health care professional can diagnose CFS. Back to top. How is CFS diagnosed? There is no single test for a CFS diagnosis but there are three criteria that need to be met before a diagnosis of CFS is made: Extreme and debilitating fatigue that lasts six months or more. At least four of the eight symptoms listed above. These symptoms should be ongoing or recurring during six or more consecutive months and cannot have first appeared before the fatigue began. If, however, the patient has been fatigued for 6 months or more but does not have four of the eight symptoms, the diagnosis may be . Some of these other conditions may include: Sleep disorders: Chronic fatigue can be caused by sleep disorders. A sleep study can determine if your rest is being disturbed by disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia. Various medical conditions: Fatigue can be a common symptom in several other medical conditions, such as infections, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), adrenal function issues, anemia, and diabetes. Lab tests might be ordered to check your blood for evidence of any other suspected conditions or if you have had any prior infections such as Epstein Barr, Lyme disease, chlamydia, or. Nervous system disorders: Your physician may order a CT scan or an MRI of your brain to rule out any disorders of the nervous system that could be causing balance issues or cognitive dysfunction. Mental health issues: Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and/or schizophrenia can also cause extreme fatigue. Seeking the guidance of, and assessment by a mental health specialist such as a psychologist or counselor can help determine if one of these problems is the cause of your fatigue. Because the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome mimic so many other health problems, CFS is very difficult to diagnose, and you may need to be patient while waiting for a diagnosis.*As a general rule, please see your doctor if you have persistent or excessive fatigue. Back to top. Causes. No one knows what causes CFS. It may be triggered by stress, various illnesses or other medical conditions. There have been studies (with mixed findings) that have looked at determining whether changes to the immune system may lead to CFS. Many, but not all, patients have allergic diseases and secondary illnesses like sinusitis which may indicate one determining factor in the development of CFS. Many patients also report having food intolerances. Back to top. Treatment. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief, but because each individual experiences CFS in different ways, treatment protocol will vary from patient to patient. It is common that people with CFS are often sensitive to many medications, therefore, the physician will most likely begin with low doses and gradually increase or change the dose or medication depending on your response or side effects. All medications have the potential to cause side effects, so please monitor carefully anything out of the ordinary for you once you begin a new course of medication, and alert your physician of all changes. Some medications that may be prescribed are: NSAIDS: Over- the- counter non- steroidal anti- inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help with joint and muscle pain. Depending on the severity of symptoms, prescription pain medication may be indicated. Low- dose tricyclic antidepressants: CFS patients often deal with depression. By treating the depression, it can be easier to cope with the disease. Low- dose tricyclic antidepressants may be prescribed and can aid sleep and relieve mild generalized pain. Examples include: desipramine(Norpramin), amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon, Limbitrol, Triavil), dedoxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), and nortriptyline (Pamelor). Newer antidepressants: These newer antidepressants have been successfully used to treat patients with CFS. They include: fluoxetine(Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), bupropion (Wellbutrin), paroxetine (Paxil), venlafaxine (Effexor), and trazodone(Desyrel). Anti- Anxiety medications: Aplrazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) are commonly used to treat anxiety in CFS patients. Stimulants: Lethargy or daytime sleepiness may be treated with stimulants. Sleeping aids: If lifestyle changes, such as avoiding caffeine, do not help a CFS patient get better sleep at night, a physician might suggest trying prescription sleep aids. Stay in constant communication with your physician about how prescribed medications are working for you, or if you are experiencing any side effects. Your doctor may know of new treatments or may even be able to recommend alternative treatments including herbal supplements. By working closely together, patients and their doctors can create an individualized treatment program that best meets the needs of the patient with CFS. Ideally, this program would include a combination of therapies that not only address symptoms, but provide coping techniques, and the skills to manage and maintain normal daily activities as tolerated by the patient’s changing disease activity levels. Alternative treatment options: The most effective treatment plan for CFS appears to be an approach that combines gentle exercise along with psychological counseling. Exercise: A physical therapist can provide an exercise routine that may be helpful with muscle and joint pain. At the beginning of treatment, some of the prescribed exercises may include a few minutes per day of gentle stretches to increase range- of- motion. The goal is to increase endurance and intensity of exercises over time. Learning how much activity is manageable and helpful is equally as important as learning your personal limits as not to increase the level of fatigue. Counseling: Speaking with a mental health professional can help you find options for coping with chronic fatigue syndrome. Having the tools to help you feel more in control can make a world of difference in your outlook. ![]() Exclusive Program Designed by Experts Accelerate your progress with the True Fire Fitness System. Our program is built on a comprehensive training method developed. Esophagitis symptoms include difficult and painful swallowing, heartburn, mouth sores feeling of something stuck in the throat, nausea and vomiting. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also referred to as chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome, is a disabling illness characterized by persistent fatigue accompanied. Join our community now & you'll get a bonus download of my FREE checklist, "The 9 Most Dangerous Mistakes ME/CFS Sufferers Make". One of the hallmarks of modern medicine is the recognition of the biochemical uniqueness of each individual. The Blood Type Diet does just that. Other therapies that might be investigated along with the traditional therapies are: Massage therapy. Acupuncture. Chiropractic therapy. Therapeutic touch. Herbal supplements. Dietary changes. Yoga. Tai Chi. Self- care tips: *Please speak with your treating physician(s) before beginning any supplements or alternative treatment plans. Some herbal supplements may have potentially serious side effects or interact negatively with prescribed medications you are already taking. Back to top. Living with CFSLiving with chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult. Like other debilitating chronic illnesses such as lupus and fibromyalgia, CFS can have a devastating effect on patients’ daily lives and require them to make major lifestyle changes and adapt to new limitations. CFS is complicated and may require the assistance and expertise of many different medical professionals to help with not only the physical manifestations of the disease, but the emotional ones as well. Patients will often benefit when they work in collaboration with a team of doctors and other health care professionals. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a debilitating and very complex disorder characterized by extreme fatigue. Learn the symptoms, causes and treatments. Dear Stanford ME/CFS Patients, Recently, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) was charged with the important task to review over 65 years of clinical and research. ![]() These might include: rehabilitation specialists, mental health professionals, and physical or exercise therapists. Some emotional/lifestyle complications of chronic fatigue syndrome can include: Restrictions in lifestyle: The decrease in stamina may prohibit the patient from performing daily tasks and activities causing changes in relationships with partners, children and other family members and friends. Inability to work: CFS can lead to more absences from work, a loss of independence, financial instability, and economic insecurity. Depression, anger, and guilt: Dealing with the unpredictability of the disease, changes in the ability to perform daily activities, and feeling socially misunderstood and isolated can lead to emotional distress. While it is completely normal to have these feelings, the stress that they can cause may worsen symptoms and make recovery more difficult. Back to top. The cycles of CFSLike . The severity and frequency of these cycles will vary. For some people, CFS does not affect the ability to accomplish tasks in daily life, but for most others there are periods where the disease is very active and can limit daily activities, affecting performance at school, work, and home. These unpredictable cycles can be very frustrating and cause emotional distress. ![]() It is very common during the periods where the patient is feeling better to overdo things, trying to catch up on all the things they were unable to do when they were feeling un- well, sore and tired. This “catch- up” mindset can exhaust the patient, often causing a relapse. It is very important to learn how to pace yourself during these times of remission and to allow your body the rest it needs to recover.
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