How does the syndrome manifest?
CFS has a fairly broad symptomatic picture. Its symptoms are not specific, and given that many of them accompany other diseases, it is quite difficult to diagnose CFS. As a rule, the patient manages to visit many specialized specialists before getting on the right path.
The main symptom of this condition is overwhelming fatigue, present for at least 6 months. It accompanies a person even after sufficient sleep or rest. When waking up, the patient already feels tired. In addition, fatigue is present even when he does nothing.
Weakness, malaise, and lack of vital energy tirelessly accompany a patient with CFS. His performance drops sharply. A previously active, cheerful person behaves like an amoeba. Work is difficult for him; he can spend all day working on one task without ever bringing it to fruition.
Things around the house are also not going well. It is difficult to force oneself to fulfill one’s duties, and more often the patient simply ignores them, lying on the couch all day and doing nothing.
Although people with chronic fatigue syndrome feel sleepy all the time, even during the day, they often have difficulty falling asleep. They are often accompanied by insomnia or restless sleep.
Other common signs of CFS include apathy and depression. Patients are accompanied by a bad mood and lose interest in everything that is happening. Even what previously aroused special interest now loses any significance. The need for sex is also reduced or absent altogether. The patient is irritable and aggressive.
Cognitive abilities decrease. The person becomes inattentive. Makes mistakes in his work. To avoid this, he performs his duties very slowly and double-checks everything several times.
Perception and memory suffer. Sometimes it happens that when looking at a document or text, the patient does not understand what it says. Information is also not perceived by ear. A person forgets even what he heard a few minutes ago.
Physiological symptoms are also varied. Among them:
- causeless headaches;
- hyperthermia up to 38°;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the neck and armpits;
- pain in large joints and muscles for no reason, and today the pain is present in the knees, and tomorrow in the elbows. That is, her character is fickle;
- exercise intolerance. The slightest physical activity leads to complete exhaustion. For example, going to the store closest to your home is comparable to running several kilometers;
- frequent pharyngitis and colds;
- allergies.
Such people often experience irritable bowel syndrome. It is functional in nature, manifested by abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, and changes in the character of stool. False urges to defecate, flatulence, and a feeling of full intestines appear.
A girl suffering from CFS describes her condition as “on her last breath”: a little more, and she will not be able to take another breath. She has no strength at all, although she doesn’t do anything special. I just want to sleep and eat. Everything is annoying, I want peace and quiet. Conversations with people are tiring and cause unbearable headaches.
Find fuel
Energy is obtained by burning fuel, our fuel is food. If you fill a car with a gasoline engine with diesel fuel, then, of course, it will go, but not far. It’s the same with our body: if we feed it just anything, we won’t be able to get enough energy. We have written about how to eat healthy many times, but fatigue is a trap. To stick to a nutrition plan, regularly buy the right foods, cook them, and not break down, you need a schedule and strength. But they are not there.
Get started with three simple steps:
- Reduce your coffee intake Self-help tips to fight fatigue. , no matter how paradoxical it sounds. Coffee and other tonic drinks provide energy on loan. You will spend more than you can afford, and you will have to pay with a lack of strength.
- Instead of sweets and fast food, snack on nuts and cottage cheese. Protein foods help cope with lack of strength better than candy and coffee.
- Take snacks based on flax seeds - they are rich in antioxidants. However, more details are needed about them.
Why does the disorder occur?
The disease received its official name in 1984. Then in Nevada, having experienced an epidemic, more than two hundred people showed its symptoms. Although cases of CFS were known earlier, back in 1934.
It is believed that chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease of large cities, where there is a frantic pace of life, as well as those people whose daily activities are particularly responsible. It most often affects women aged 25–50 years.
The pathogenesis of the disorder is associated with disruption of the functioning of the centers of the autonomic nervous system, or more precisely, with the inhibitory effect of certain zones on them. But the reason for this failure has not yet been established.
Possible causes of the syndrome are divided into physiological and psychological.
Among the physiological theories, the most promising is viral infection. Viruses, one way or another, capable of triggering CFS:
- Epstein–Barr virus;
- Coxsackie;
- herpes type 6;
- flu;
- cytomegalovirus;
- enterovirus;
- retrovirus;
- hepatitis C virus.
Another etiological factor, according to scientists, is an inadequate immune response.
It can be caused by infections, chronic diseases and other reasons. In this case, there is an increase in the number of some cells (in particular, cytokines) and a decrease in the level of others. Overall, this leads to immune overactivity. Excessive physical activity over a long period of time can also cause chronic fatigue syndrome. This is due to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles and the inability to perform active movements.
Other suspected physiological causes of CFS are known:
- disturbance of intestinal microflora;
- decreased L-carnitine levels;
- poor nutrition, causing vitamin deficiency, mineral deficiency;
- intoxication.
Among the psychological risk factors are those that deplete the nervous system. First of all, these are chronic stresses that act systematically, monotonously, but significantly undermine the psycho-emotional state of a person.
This group also includes lack of sleep, improper daily routine, mental overstrain, and a sedentary lifestyle.
The girl worked at a fast and intense pace for several years. Constant flights, nervous and physical stress led to the fact that one day, after suffering from a cold, she suddenly felt very unwell.
The disease had long ago receded, but the girl’s strength never came. Gradually the fatigue increased. It got to the point that she could only wash herself while sitting. Physical activity did not bring the desired result. One day, after doing her morning exercises and getting to the subway, she cried from exhaustion. Pain appeared in the eyes, attention decreased significantly, arms and legs felt excessively heavy. My head and my whole body ached.
Problems with sleep, depression, giving up usual hobbies - this is an incomplete list of the torments that the girl had to face. As a result, the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome became the basis for her condition.
Use antioxidant supplements
One of the reasons we feel tired all the time is due to free radicals. These are unstable molecules, they are usually formed as a result of vital activity, especially after exercise. The body can cope with so many free radicals, but we can get an additional portion from the environment: cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, ultraviolet radiation. When there are too many free radicals, the body falls into oxidative stress, the consequences of which are disruptions in energy production, cell destruction, the development of diseases and accelerated aging.
Antioxidants are molecules that counteract oxidative stress, neutralize free radicals, protect our cells and restore energy production.
For chronic fatigue, use dietary supplements Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment. which contain antioxidants. Such as the antioxidant complex "Sinergin" - a dietary supplement (not a medicine).
Synergin contains six antioxidants in high dosages: coenzyme Q10, lycopene, rutin, vitamins C and E, beta-carotene. All these substances are found in common foods: meat, vegetables, berries. Another thing is that the amount of antioxidants in food is small, we simply cannot eat enough food to get the required amount of antioxidants. This is what Synergin is fighting against: two capsules contain enough antioxidants to provide the body without exceeding the permissible level of consumption.
While the antioxidants inside us fight free radicals, we feel how fatigue recedes, strength and a desire to do more for ourselves appear.
What are the dangers of ignoring CFS?
The problem with the disease is that many domestic doctors do not recognize its official existence. Accordingly, such a diagnosis is not made in all cases that require it. At the same time, the malaise of such people is attributed to the presence of chronic diseases and they are sent to all possible doctors.
In other cases, they consider it a manifestation of laziness. At the same time, the patient not only does not receive sympathy and understanding, but is also subjected to ridicule, reproaches and ignorance of his condition.
Meanwhile, the disease poses a serious threat to both the physical and psychological state of a person . Its second name is myalgic encephalomyelitis. The term symbolizes that the pathological process covers not only the mental sphere, but also affects physical well-being. In particular, as the concept suggests, on the muscles and brain.
Constant inactivity, atony, and lack of physical activity in chronic fatigue syndrome lead to muscle weakness, and in severe cases, muscle atrophy. They lose their volume, and, accordingly, the ability to fully carry out movement. The enrichment of body tissues with oxygen decreases, bones become brittle and brittle.
Problems with blood pressure appear. Vessels lose their tone. Moreover, if a person tries to get out of bed, there may be a disruption in blood circulation, resulting in its outflow from the head. Simply put, fainting is likely.
Physical inactivity also leads to fibromyalgia – muscle pain of varying severity. They can be so strong that a person cannot move and loses his ability to work. But he is not entitled to disability, as well as the benefits associated with it, because chronic fatigue syndrome, even if it is officially established, does not provide such powers.
Apathy and reluctance to gain new knowledge, grow and develop cause a decrease in mental activity. Partial amnesia occurs, and it becomes more difficult to establish logical connections. There are times when it is simply difficult for a person to speak or even think. Such a gradual extinction of thought processes, if not stopped in time, leads to degradation.
The lack of strength and vitality leads to the fact that people with CFS are less and less likely to leave the house. This lifestyle gradually leads to social isolation. Severing contacts with acquaintances and friends smoothly develops into a situation where a person is left alone, alone with his thoughts and problems. Together with concerns about one’s health, this often becomes a cause of suicide.
Of course, extreme illness does not happen very often. But it is worth noting that in quite a large number of cases, patients themselves find the problem of their ailment thanks to the Internet, studying information and looking for an explanation for their condition. As a rule, this happens after long, unproductive wanderings to doctors.
Causes of constant feeling of fatigue and drowsiness
- Sleep disturbance
Fatigue can be caused by interrupted sleep, starting and ending at different times. The habit of most modern people to devote hours to books, films and other entertainment at the expense of rest has a negative impact on daily activity. Irregular work schedules can also lead to lack of sleep.
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- Insomnia
A clear sign of fatigue that can be overcome independently by eliminating its cause. Otherwise, consultation and assistance of a specialist is required.
This is interesting!
“Why you want to drink: the real reasons” Read more
- Unhealthy Lifestyle
With a certain diet and a high content of carbohydrates in food, a person may also experience a feeling of lethargy and fatigue. Substances entering the blood increase the level of glucose in the blood, which is why the pancreas begins to produce large amounts of insulin to break it down. The result is sugar spikes. Such conditions cause severe fatigue.
Low-calorie diet is another reason for weakness. The body expends more effort on activities than it receives from food, which causes metabolism to slow down as the body strives to correct the imbalance. Fatigue appears, which can only be eliminated by changing the diet, namely by consuming at least 1200 calories per day for an adult.
Protein has a better effect on metabolism than fats and carbohydrates. Reduced consumption leads to fatigue. This can be compensated by introducing into the diet in the required amount branched-chain amino acids, which are its building material. A sufficient amount of protein has a positive effect on metabolism and eliminates weakness.
With frequent and severe physical activity in combination with a calorie-poor diet, energy imbalance will manifest itself quickly, which will inevitably lead to fatigue and tiredness.
Causes of constant feeling of fatigue and drowsiness
- Physiological conditions or disease
When there is a constant feeling of fatigue and lack of strength, pregnancy may be the cause of this condition in a woman.
Another reason for this may be disorders of the endocrine glands, leading to pathologies. In particular, hypothyroidism is characterized by a decrease in the production of a hormone important for the body by the thyroid gland.
Diabetes mellitus is also a serious reason for frequent fatigue and weakness, since frequent surges in blood sugar levels, necessary for the functioning of organs and systems, are exhausting.
Problems of the circulatory system cause insufficient saturation of the body with oxygen and micronutrients, resulting in weakness, shortness of breath, and nervousness. A person who has not had enough sleep and has a small reserve of strength, even after a long rest, is not able to fully control himself. All this is a reason to make an appointment with a doctor.
- Taking certain medications
A constant feeling of extreme fatigue can also be a consequence of taking medications. The most common causes of concern are sedatives, antihistamines and centrally acting antihypertensives, as well as beta-blockers, strong sedatives, and tranquilizers.
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If you are unable to get enough sleep and, as a result, take sleeping pills, the quality of your sleep may deteriorate due to disruptions in the rapid phase of sleep. The rest regime is disrupted, its duration changes, which leads to fatigue.
- Anemia
Low hemoglobin affects the transport and saturation of oxygen in the body, which leads to fatigue. Weakness, lethargy, and slowness develop.
- Infections
A sharp feeling of fatigue can appear during an infection, when the immune system is trying to actively cope with the infection and uses all its strength to do this. In addition to the struggle, energy is needed for restoration processes. The consequences are weakness, drowsiness, and decreased appetite.
- Vitamin deficiency
With a lack of vitamins, asthenia develops. Vitality is most strongly affected by vitamin D, the lack of which affects fatigue, ultimately reducing physical and intellectual activity, and deteriorating quality of life. According to the results of clinical trials, when the nutrient content in the blood is less than 29 ng/ml, women often complain of weakness and fatigue; with a higher amount, the situation is the opposite.
How to get rid of feeling tired
Our bodies need some amount of water every day to function. It is spent on providing biochemical processes, as a result of which its replenishment is required. With a lack of fluid, a feeling of fatigue and drowsiness develops, the causes of which are the same for women and men in this case. Clinical trials have shown that even small amounts of water loss can negatively impact activity and alertness, as well as cause fatigue.
How to make a diagnosis
A diagnosis of CFS can be made if the following criteria are met. The presence of 2 major signs is required. This is constant fatigue with decreased activity during the day, lasting more than 6 months. However, it does not go away even after proper rest, and can intensify.
The second main criterion is the absence of somatic and mental illnesses. For this purpose, the patient is referred for examinations and consultations with specialized specialists: a cardiologist, gastroenterologist, neurologist, etc. The impact of the psychotraumatic factor is taken into account.
Having these 2 points is not enough. The presence of 6–8 other (minor) symptoms of the disease is also necessary.
With proper and timely treatment, complete recovery occurs. But there is a possibility of relapse under favorable conditions, for example, when exposed to stress factors or after an illness. In rare cases, the syndrome leads to serious consequences.
Take breaks from work
When there are so many things to do that it is impossible to sort them out, stop! Understand that Bolivar will not endure so much, decide which tasks must be done without fail, and what can wait. On the list of the most important tasks of the day, the first item should be “Rest.”
Do those things that absolutely need to be done, and if after that you have no strength left, rest. The most important things will be completed, and you will be able to switch gears and gather energy without feeling remorse.
Plan your day in the evening, but adjust your plans in the morning. We wake up with different amounts of energy, and if you feel like you’re falling down after barely brushing your teeth, then it’s better to reschedule your plans: leave the most important things in order to devote more time to rest.
How can CFS be cured?
The quality of treatment for the syndrome is influenced by the patient’s awareness that his condition is a consequence of a real disease, and not just overwork, and it requires adequate therapy.
First of all, it is necessary
to relieve the human nervous system and reduce psycho-emotional stress .
Eliminate activities that cause a lot of stress and try not to overload your day with too many things to do. In some cases, when it is difficult for the patient to understand the state of affairs, psychotherapy comes to the rescue. It is aimed at developing in the patient an adequate perception of reality and assessment of his situation, helps him understand how to correctly and rationally distribute the load during the day in order to avoid overwork, teaches stress tolerance and methods of proper rest.
Auto-training and relaxation help you relax and redirect your attention. They also instill in the patient behavioral programs designed to harmonize his internal state, relieve tension, and tune into a positive mood.
Medications can also be used to treat CFS :
- antidepressants and tranquilizers;
- antiallergic drugs;
- enterosorbents;
- mineral complexes. Particular attention is paid to magnesium preparations. It is believed that it regulates energy metabolism in the body. It is its deficiency that causes loss of strength and rapid fatigue;
- L-carnitine preparations;
- vitamins, especially group B.
Among the physical procedures , massage, physical therapy, water procedures, including contrast showers, are very useful.
Special training programs are now gradually spreading , for example, Lightning Process, The Gupta Program. According to the developers of these programs, chronic fatigue syndrome appears against the background of brain dysfunction. If you return him to normal activity, this will help get rid of a number of problems.
The trainings are based on the neuroplasticity of the brain, that is, its ability to restructure itself. The brain seems to reboot and begins to work according to new rules.
Changes occur when a person begins to work on himself. An individual set of exercises is selected for him, adapted to his level of development. As work progresses, they become more complex. Exercises must be done systematically.
This program of techniques makes the brain work more productively, strengthens it and improves it. It makes it more adaptive, allowing it to adapt faster and better to changing environmental conditions, and also improves mental activity and memory.
At the moment, there are a sufficient number of such systems. Each of them works according to its own scheme, and has in its arsenal a variety of techniques and collections of exercises and auto-trainings. They help fight not only CFS, but also other mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobias, etc.
One woman suffered from CFS for 20 years and did not leave the house. But three days of training in one of these programs changed her enough that she was able to run a marathon.
Many of the authors of such programs themselves once suffered from various disorders. But they were able to get rid of them by retraining their brain and are now in a hurry to share their experience for the benefit of others.
Find out what's wrong with your body
It is normal for a person to be tired after a busy day at work or an intense workout. It’s not normal when fatigue doesn’t go away even on weekends and you’re so tired that you can’t rest. But this also happens. Before you start doing anything, make sure that it is real fatigue and not a symptom of larger troubles.
Fatigue is a symptom of some diseases.
Diabetes, depression, thyroid problems, anxiety, anemia and even snoring are diseases that signal themselves through fatigue. Why am I tired all the time? . It takes no more than a week to get checked by an endocrinologist and do a couple of blood tests, but you will find out what is the reason for your poor health: a disease or lifestyle.
Daily regime
No matter how trivial it may sound, following the correct daily routine is a very important point in the treatment and prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome. It is as follows:
- balanced diet, without spicy and fatty foods, psychostimulating drinks (coffee, strong tea). Alcohol will have to be eliminated completely. Food should be rich in vitamins and other useful components;
- rational change of work and rest. Mental stress is needed for the brain. This develops thinking, memory, attention, and can even delay the development of senile dementia. But everything is good in moderation. It is important not to overexert your brain. To do this, set aside time during the day for rest. If you do monotonous, sedentary work, be sure to take a break every 2 hours to refocus. If the work is associated with occupational hazards: noise, vibration, etc., this is simply necessary;
- physical activity is a must. But they must be dosed so as not to exhaust yourself. It would be good to choose a sport that brings pleasure and good impressions, after which you are recharged with energy. Outdoor sports are especially good. Choose running, race walking, horseback riding. By the way, physical exercise helps not only to tighten the body. This is also a great way to relieve emotional stress and give vent to emotions;
- One of the main conditions for getting rid of CFS is normalizing sleep. You need to sleep at least 8 hours a day. If you have problems falling asleep, you need to protect yourself from mental and physical stress before bed. It may be useful for you to sleep for a couple of hours during the day, but only if it does not interfere with falling asleep at night;
- It is essential to allow yourself to relax. To do this, use the methods that suit you. For some it will be meeting with friends, for others it will be listening to music or reading a book. Aromatherapy, warm bath, meditation, pets - whatever;
- A good way out of the situation is to change the situation. Take a vacation and go on a trip. This will help you take your mind off the routine, get new emotions and impressions, so to speak, “invigorate” the psyche and make it work - perceive, analyze, remember new things;
- of course, the abolition of bad habits or at least a gradual abandonment of them;
- try to avoid negative experiences. Limit communication with people you find unpleasant, ignore depressing information on TV, the Internet or the newspaper;
- Use soothing teas to tone the nervous system.
To get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome, you must follow all the recommendations in their entirety. Only a comprehensive influence will help improve the psycho-emotional background, eliminate tension and fatigue.
People with CFS often have no idea what caused their dejected state. Adequate treatment of the syndrome is possible only after understanding the essence of the problem and intensive work on oneself. The most difficult step is the first step; sometimes people don’t understand where to start.
You shouldn't fight the disease alone. Contact a specialist, get information and start acting immediately.
Get a massage
At home after a hard day, try the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Other Treatment massage. stop, hands, stretch your neck and face. Of course, it’s great if someone gives you a massage, but if there is no one willing, buy a gymnastic roller or take a tennis ball to stretch the most tense areas of the body: neck, back, feet.
If you are so tired that you suffer from insomnia, cannot concentrate on work and lose your appetite, sign up for a course of therapeutic or relaxing massage. It becomes easier under the hands of professionals.
Learn to switch from work to rest
You need to leave your work at work, don’t take it home even in your thoughts. At home, don’t check work email, don’t write to colleagues about unfinished business or questions that can wait until tomorrow (in fact, most questions are just like that), don’t go into the corporate chat if you have one. If an extremely important event is planned at work tomorrow, then worrying about it is appropriate, but such events happen no more than two or three times a year. And the rest of the time - no “overtime” thoughts. Switching things up will also help you relax.
The best way to take your mind off work is to communicate with loved ones. Talk to your family, play with your pets, call your friends, or text someone you haven't seen in years and ask how they're doing. The energy of loved ones will help you feel better.
