WHAT IS CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME? - DOs and DON’Ts

A lot of research and medical study has gone into trying to identify the cause behind the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a debilitating condition, but to little avail. 

Some theories connect the condition to the Epstein-Barr virus or human herpes virus-6. Then, some others believe that it is caused due to abnormal immune response. Characterized by constant fatigue, CFS cannot be improved by bed rest and treatment is mainly symptomatic. To avoid the worsening of the condition and manage the existing symptoms, it is important to adhere to certain set guidelines and norms:

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WHAT IS CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME? IT’S STILL A MYSTERY

The mystery of chronic fatigue syndrome

Most health professionals have finally acknowledged that it’s a real and serious illness. But we still don’t know what causes it.

Some doctors are beginning to believe that there may not be one single cause of chronic fatigue syndrome but a number of causes that all produce the same disturbance in the immune system. (Los Angeles Times)

By Jay A. Levy and Daniel L. Peterson September 30, 2011For more than 100 years, medical literature has contained reports of a debilitating illness that causes prolonged fatigue, memory loss, headaches, cognitive problems and issues with digestion and sleep. Teddy Roosevelt, John Muir and Thomas Eakins all suffered from what was then known as neurasthenia.

At that time, the recommended treatment for women was bed rest; men were advised to head to the Wild West. But neither treatment could be counted on to cure the disease.

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CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND VIRUS LINK GETS EVEN WEAKER

Judy Mikovits of the Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease in Reno still believes that a mouse retrovirus called XMRV plays a role in chronic fatigue syndrome. (David B. Parker/Reno Gazette-Journal)

September 22, 2011, 2:28 p.m.

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Brave teen who lost teenage years to ME

A BASINGSTOKE teenager, who suffers from a debilitating condition that has left her practically bed-ridden, has spoken out to raise awareness of ME.

Daisy Hill was a bright and active child. Academically outstanding, she pushed herself to achieve top grades at school, despite often being overcome with tiredness.

But in November 2006, aged 12, after two bouts of flu, she left Costello Technology College one day feeling ill, and never went back.

Within months she had been diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalopathy, also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

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WHAT IS POST VIRAL FATIGUE

Asking the question WHAT IS POST VIRAL FATIGUE does not lead us to a 100% answer. Doctors are yet to be conclusive as to what is post viral fatigue as it is widely believed that a number of factors trigger its onset. It 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. The Epstein Barr Virus (also known as Human Herpesvirus 4, which includes Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2) is believed to be a common virus found in the victims of post viral fatigue syndrome.

What is Post Viral Fatigue is really the same as asking what is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as it is widely believed to be one and the same thing.

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ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME - AMAZING!

A pot of gold at the end of a rainbow may be the worst find for someone who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome or post viral fatigue, keep reading this post to find out why!

My Mother has suffered from CFS/ME/post viral fatigue for as long as I can remember. Controlling the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, post viral fatigue, or adrenal fatigue, is certainly helped by changes in lifestyle which includes pacing, medications and behavioural therapies. My Mother has used hypnotherapy to improve her sleep pattern at night to very good effect.

Since many conventional treatments do not guarantee absolute success, alternative medicine proves to be a very attractive option. Below are some of the most common complementary and alternative treatments used in relieving patients from the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However at the bottom of this post I reveal the most SIMPLE and SAFEST treatment that has brought about a miraculous 80% improvement in my Mother’s symptoms - throw away your gold!

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WHAT IS CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME - THE SYMPTOMS

“Nobody believes that I have no energy and that I’m tired all the time, they think I’m being lazy” 

“I’m always tired and have chronic pain in my head and body”

 - do either of these phrases resonate with you? 

You may have the fatigue syndrome known as - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Post Viral Fatigue, Adrenal Fatigue

Women are 2 to 4 times more likely to be diagnosed with symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome than men. However, it isn’t a factor to be considered for the condition, as experts believe that possibly more women report their conditions to the doctor than men do.

CFS, ME, or Post Viral Syndrome as it is also known, affects most people who are in their 40s or 50s, but the illness of chronic fatigue is a health problem that individuals of all ages can be affected with.

The problem with this syndrome is that doctors still do not know an exact cause to trigger the illness. The Epstein Barr Virus (also known as Human Herpesvirus 4, which includes Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2) is often linked to CFS. It one of the most common viruses in humans, in the US 90-95% of adults shows signs of having been infected.

Even people who are previously full of energy and healthy can be targets of various chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. The common signs and symptoms associated to CFS are similar to typical viral infections. However, unlike these infections, they can last longer than just a few days. The tricky part is the symptoms can appear and disappear frequently and often without an identifiable pattern. Other primary symptoms and signs that accompany the persistent fatigue, include:

• Sore throat, expanded lymph nodes in the armpits or neck

• Muscle soreness or pains, joint pains, redness or swelling

• New types of headaches

• Sleep disturbance

• Loss of concentration, and even memory

• Extreme physical exhaustion that lasts 24 hours or more following mental or physical exercise

Other signs and symptoms are abdominal pain, bloating, allergies, chest pain, diarrhea, chronic cough, dizziness, fainting, and balance problems, dry mouth, jaw pain, nausea, irregular heartbeat, earache, night sweats and chills, weight loss/gain, breath shortage, visual disturbances, and tingling sensations. There are also psychological problems added, such as irritability, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and depression. 

CHRONIC FATIGUE IS NO LAUGHING MATTER, SAYS COMEDIAN

By SUSAN DONALDSON JAMESAug. 19, 2011

KATHY BUCKLEY is a successful comedian who has guest starred on television shows like “Good Morning America” and “Touched By an Angel,” but her life wasn’t all that funny. The stand-up comic has been hearing impaired since childhood. Her academic performance was so poor that in the second grade she was placed in a school for the mentally impaired.

“Talk about being slow,” she quipped about her teachers.

At the age of 20, Buckley was run over by a Jeep while sunbathing on the beach and experienced years of chronic pain and intermittent paralysis in her legs. Then she was hit with cervical cancer — twice. Today, at 58, she has overcome years of chronic pain, mostly by changing the way she looks at it psychologically.

Photo Courtesy of Kathy Buckley, hearing-impaired comedian eases pain through laughter

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