Long-term stress control and relaxation must be a vital portion of any protocol used to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome. While seemingly impossible, it's imperative that sufferers of CFS do their best to effectively manage stress, and rest. “Rest” means more than just sleep.
Life after ME/CFS
It is possible to regain full physical, emotional and mental function after suffering from ME/CFS. However, relapse is possible, so staying healthy requires some care and attention: you can't simply return to your pre-ME/CFS life and expect to stay healthy for long.
Prioritizing rest, even on days when symptoms are minimal, can help prevent a relapse or energy crash later. Use memory aids. If memory loss due to ME/CFS is an issue, it is helpful to use tools such as calendars, to-do lists, programmed reminders on a smartphone, and sticky notes. Save energy when possible.
Most of the time fatigue can be traced to one or more lifestyle issues, such as poor sleep habits or lack of exercise.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious, long-term illness that affects many body systems. People with ME/CFS are often not able to do their usual activities. At times, ME/CFS may confine them to bed.
Profound and debilitating fatigue is the most common complaint reported among individuals with autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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.
For example, the tricyclic amitriptyline is known to relieve many symptoms, including sleeplessness and low energy levels in CFS/ME. Other tricyclics (doxepin, desipramine, nortriptyline, clomipramine and imipramine) improve sleep and relieve pain, although it can take 3 to 4 weeks for symptoms to improve.
New Treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 2023: A groundbreaking breakthrough occurred in 2023 with the introduction of a new treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Australian scientists have discovered a potential game-changer called low-dose Naltrexone (LDN).
One study suggests that the average lifespan of an ME/CFS patient is only 55.9 years, which is over 20 years less than the average U.S. lifespan. And the vast majority of patients—75 to 85 percent—are women.
Key points about chronic fatigue syndrome
Symptoms often worsen with physical or mental activity. In addition to severe fatigue, symptoms include light sensitivity, headache, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and depression.
Doctors might refer patients to see a specialist, like a neurologist, rheumatologist, or a sleep specialist, to check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. These specialists might find other conditions that could be treated. Patients can have other conditions and still have ME/CFS.
Fried Foods
When these free radicals are ingested, she says, they can cause a lot of inflammation in the body, and trigger CFS symptoms. Instead of eating fried foods when you're dining out, order baked or broiled dishes instead. And when you're cooking at home, roast, bake, or steam your foods.
Low motivation can be a common symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. You can practice self-help and self-care as much as you can, but you may find that seeking professional help is more helpful for your emotions. Online therapy is beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In most cases, symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome lessen over time. However, it often takes years for symptoms to subside, and not all symptoms disappear. People may recover more fully if they focus more on what function they can recover than on how much function they have lost.
The definition of fatigue is extreme tiredness. Severe fatigue makes it difficult for you to get up in the morning and make it through your day. Many conditions and lifestyle factors can cause fatigue. You may be able to relieve it by changing your habits.
The Autoimmune Association has heard from people who describe their fatigue in no uncertain terms: It's DEBILITATING! It feels like my body is lugging around a TON OF BRICKS. Because of my fatigue, I am not the person I once was.
For people who don't live with lupus every day, "The best way for them to understand what fatigue and lupus is like to tell them it's like having the flu." Dr. Berman added. "Nothing you can do seems to make the fatigue any better. Also, over time the more and more you experience fatigue, the more chronic it becomes."
There's no test for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), but there are clear guidelines to help doctors diagnose the condition. A GP should ask you about your medical history and give you a physical examination.