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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, like all chronic illnesses, poses a host of

stresses that patients have to suffer from. Among the most common are the

loss of life roles, ongoing medical expenses, loss of job or source of

income, confusing symptoms, and constant medical check-ups with healthcare

professionals who sometimes do not fully understand the condition.

With these stresses, it is very important for patients to know how to cope.

Coping is integral to the management of the disorder and to some extent

recovery from the syndrome. Presented below are some coping techniques that

may not only help you deal with the disorder better but can also free you

from some of the discomforts it could give.

Establish a positive understanding of the disease. It is not only important

to know the nature of the fatigue and its accompanying symptoms but it is

also vital that the patient knows how to positively deal with them.

Establishing a positive concept regarding CFS is known to help patients

respond to the symptoms better and facilitate self-regulatory techniques

much more effectively. This is the crux of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a

psychological therapy that brings about relief from symptoms by way of

establishing a good outlook with respect to the condition.

Avoid excessive resting – It is natural to rest whenever one feels

extremely fatigued. However, the reverse is often the more effective

technique. Stop the urge of resting as this could debilitate your condition

further. Instead, try to incorporate minor activities into your daily life

which may include low levels of activities at first.

Then, progress to higher intensity activities, according to what level your

body can afford. Do not overexert yourself though as this can also have

damaging effects. When in doubt, consult your health care professional, he

can recommend therapy options like graded exercise therapy.

Manage your daily activities – Limit your activities according to a

well-defined plan. Most patients limit their activities according to the

particular activities they can perform in a day. This is counter-productive

and should not be done at all costs. The key is to have a consistent

pattern of activities that progresses according to the levels of difficulty

and required physical exertion. Try to attain a balance between stress,

physical exertion and rest.

Don’t focus on the symptoms – It is not uncommon for people to nurse the

symptoms of their disease. Despite the fact that this is not helpful,

patients still persist with this attitude. Among people who suffer from

chronic fatigue syndrome, nursing their pains and aches only lead to higher

sensitivities to both as well as to disengagement. Disengagement is an

attitude of surrendering in the face of inconvenient experiences

(stressors) when they seem too overwhelming.

Hence, disengagement is a poor coping mechanism. Patients of CFS are

advised not to give too much emphasis on the pains instead, they are

recommended to live with them and conquer the urge of giving up.

Avoid the pitfalls of coping – Most patients fail not because the treatment

and therapy they have undergone are not effective but because they try to

rush back to their lives prior to the onset of the condition. It is

important to understand that chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that

cannot be remedied immediately.

It takes time and patience to progress from one stage of the disorder to

another. Most patients who try to achieve immediate relief from symptoms

often find themselves rebounding to square one, that is to the stage where

the syndrome is most severe.

Drowsiness is a simple feeling that can be relieved by going to sleep.

Fatigue is more serious such that sleep can never relieve the condition.

Apathy is more different as it is a condition where one doesn’t completely

care of the things around them. All three are fatigue symptoms. Fatigue is

the condition when one is suffering from tiredness, lack of energy, and

weariness. Chronic fatigue symptoms are more serious than what you may

think.

They require medical attention as there can be other serious health case

overlooked. For example, a thyroid problem can cause fatigue symptoms.

Another is the condition of depression, which is different from CFS, but

displays similar symptoms such as low energy level and fatigue lasting a

day.

Sometimes, the symptoms of chronic fatigue are associated by other

illnesses, such as diabetes, addison’s disease, eating disorders like

bulimia or anorexia, arthritis, kidney disease, congestive heart disease,

lupus, cancer, and even malnutrition. If the patient is suffering the

symptoms due to one of the mentioned diseases, medical advices are needed

before giving them any kind of treatment. These symptoms are entirely

different from the normal and common chronic fatigue symptoms, which often

happen to adults who lead a pretty stressful and unhealthy lifestyle.

Causes of chronic fatigue symptoms can be divided into two types,

psychological and physical, which include the following:

• Sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, or apnea
• Asthma or hay fever
• Hypothyroidism
• Anemia
• Illegal drugs or alcohol regular use
• Ongoing pain
• Grief and depression

There are home care treatments which can help overcome most of the chronic

fatigue symptoms. Adequate and regular rest each night is one thing. Eating

balanced and healthy diet, as well as drinking lots of water everyday, is

another to curb the symptoms. Learning to avoid a sedentary daily lifestyle

can bring the energy out of you. Even simple walking and jogging can help

you relax. While maintaining a reasonable personal and work schedule will

avoid you from getting easily tired. Or avoiding the increase in your

stress level will keep those symptoms away.

Also, taking off from stressful circumstances will help you avoid too much

stress. Taking vacation, dealing with relationship problems in a calmer

way, taking multivitamins, and avoiding stress-triggering activities are

simple yet proven ways to avoid those chronic fatigue symptoms. It also

works if you avoid too much night life activities as well as refraining

from too much consumption of nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, or drugs.

Alternative and Natural Remedies

If considering medication, there are alternative or natural remedies which

can help the condition. There are different alternatives readily available

such as having a reflexology massage. It is not only a good way to relax

but it also helps improve your blood circulation. While acupuncture, on the

other hand, is perfect for the more adventurous type. It increases physical

and mental strength, a very ideal way to help overcome those symptoms of

chronic fatigue syndrome.

Other natural remedies include meditation, which helps bring in your inner

piece. And also aromatherapy, which gives you not only inner peace but

helps you instantly relax after a whole day of stress and demands. All

these natural remedies are believed to bring effective calming results;

however, if the patient is suffering from other illness, it is advised that

they seek medical advice from a qualified, professional physician before

trying out any of these alternative medications.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating disorder that is characterized

by a condition of extreme exhaustion and fatigue that lasts for extended

periods of time – usually six months or more. Doctors have yet to uncover

what exactly causes this disorder but it is widely believed that a number

of factors trigger its onset. These factors include stress, viral

infections, hormone levels and lack of adequate sleep.

Poor diet and lack of exercise are also considered as factors that strongly

contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Because there is

no known exact cause of CFS, doctors find it difficult to diagnose if a

patient is indeed suffering from CFS or if the symptoms are actually of

another ailment.

The NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin

Diseases) says that in order for a patient to be diagnosed with CFS, he

must be suffering from severe chronic fatigue for six months or beyond and

at the same time, should have four or more of the following symptoms:

impaired short term memory, prolonged feeling of extreme exhaustion, muscle

pains, swelling and tenderness of multiple joints and the lymph nodes,

recurring sore throat, severe headache and un-refreshing sleep.

Since the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is yet to be determined,

there is no known cure for it at present. Treatments for CFS are meant to

relieve the symptoms and improve the patient’s bodily functions. Doctors

recommend a combination of medications and non-drug therapies. Dietary

restrictions and nutritional supplements are also used to help suppress the

symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition to therapy, lifestyle

changes are also highly recommended.

Although it might seem contradictory, regular exercise is also a good way

to help treat chronic fatigue syndrome. However, doctors should carefully

supervise any physical activity that the patient does to avoid aggravating

the symptoms. Mild exercise for 10-15 minutes followed by 30 minutes of

rigorous physical activities such as tennis, swimming, brisk walking and

others. Such activities help make the heart stronger and healthier to

promote better circulation.

Aside from these, individuals afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome can

also do stretching and other relaxation exercises to help manage stress. A

doctor should approve any exercise routine to avoid injury or worsening of

the CFS symptoms.

Many doctors also recommend herbal remedies because they are natural and

effective. There are a number of herbal medicines that CFS victims can

take. Echinacea root is known for its ability to boost the immune system.

Since viral infection is one of the factors that trigger chronic fatigue

syndrome, using Echinacea strengthens the immune system to fight of viruses

and eliminate their harmful effects.

Ginseng root, long used in the orient as a herb to restore vitality and

energy, can be taken in capsule or tablet form to help keep the body active

and strong. Licorice is primarily known for its ability to purge toxins

from the body and can help keep the immune system resistant to attacks by

viruses.

Aside from herbal medications, just living a healthy life and having a

balanced, healthy diet can help the individual overcome the symptoms of

chronic fatigue syndrome. Fruits and vegetables provide the body with the

important vitamins and minerals to keep the immune system strong.

People who have been diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome are both blessed and cursed. For the most parts, they are relieved by an explanation regarding the sudden plunge in their health. However, they are also cursed by the fact that there is nothing much they can do about it because the cure for CFS is yet to be discovered. Nonetheless, there are medications, therapies and self-care techniques that a person can undergo which can help substantially in relieving the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Here are some suggestions.

Handle your sickness and do not let it handle you – Chronic disorders and illnesses often demand a lot from patients in order for them to control the symptoms. However, the best course of action is to always take the hand in controlling the disorder. If you have spent months or years suffering from this syndrome, it is likely that you have developed a sense of helpless and defeat against the disorder. But this must not be the case. Gain back control and know how to handle the disorder.

Look for simple but effective solutions – Not all CFS treatment may work for you. This is because while there is a general clinical definition of the disorder, there are various levels of severity whereby it occurs. So if you think your prescribed medications are not doing you much good, pass and try to look elsewhere for symptoms relief. There is a host of treatment and therapies you can use which oftentimes go beyond conventional medicine.

Try to look for those. Consult herbalists and alternative medicine therapists and seek treatments that will help your disorder. Ask your doctor about supplements instead of antibiotics and pain relievers. Go to a psychologist and ask whether there are therapies you can undergo to facilitate better coping with your illness. Don’t be limited by pharmacological treatments, experiment on various options and pick some that provide you the most benefits.

Take lessons from each day – With chronic fatigue, you are lucky if you don’t feel sick for one day. So for the most parts, you can take note of your symptoms and your responses to treatments and therapies. It is important to keep a journal of your daily experience as this can help guide you on how to better manage your disorder.

Take charge of your healthcare – Take an active role in facilitating the delivery of healthcare services for yourself. If what your doctor gives you does not work, find someone else. Don’t be afraid to get second or third opinion from doctors who are expert in immune system dysfunction. If you don’t respond well to conventional medicine, find other treatments.

Move your body – For most patients, the idea of doing some physical activities is not only impossible but unthinkable. Nonetheless, recent studies have shown that minor physical activities pick up one’s energy and health so try undergoing exercise programs. Try graded exercise therapy, for example. According to recent studies, this therapy improves the physical energy and capacity of an individual with chronic fatigue syndrome.

While it is of course hard for the first few months, first few years even, it is always worth the effort. Eventually, with a little activity done each day, the body will regain the strength and vigor that once were available prior to the onset of chronic fatigue.

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