Learn More Related Issues. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Find an Expert. What is chronic fatigue syndrome CFS? What causes chronic fatigue syndrome CFS? Who is at risk for chronic fatigue syndrome CFS? What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome CFS? CFS symptoms can include Severe fatigue that is not improved by rest Sleep problems Post-exertional malaise PEM , where your symptoms get worse after any physical or mental activity Problems with thinking and concentrating Pain Dizziness CFS can be unpredictable.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome CFS diagnosed? He or she will do a thorough medical exam, including Asking about your medical history and your family's medical history Asking about your current illness, including your symptoms. Your doctor will want to know how often you have symptoms, how bad they are, how long they have lasted, and how they affect your life. Work with your team of healthcare providers to create the best treatment plan for you. They can go over the possible benefits and side effects of the therapies with you.
PEM occurs when even minor physical, mental, or emotional exertion results in CFS symptoms becoming worse. Worsening symptoms usually occur 12 to 48 hours after the activity and last for days or even weeks. Activity management, also called pacing, can help balance rest and activity to avoid PEM flare-ups. Making some lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms.
Limiting or eliminating your caffeine intake can help you sleep better and ease your insomnia. You should limit or avoid nicotine and alcohol too. Create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and aim to wake up around the same time every day. Typically, no one medication can treat all of your symptoms.
Also, your symptoms may change over time, so your medications may have to as well. In many cases, CFS can trigger or be a symptom of depression. You may need low-dose antidepressant therapy or a referral to a mental health provider. Pain-reducing medication can also help you cope with aches and joint pain caused by CFS.
If medication therapy is needed, it will have to be tailored for your needs. Work closely with your doctor. Acupuncture , tai chi, yoga , and massage may help relieve the pain associated with CFS. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any alternative or complementary treatments. Rigid programs of activity or exercise should be avoided, and activity should be tailored to your level of ability.
For some, this may mean sitting up for a few minutes once or twice a day. If you have overdone activityor exercise, or suffer a relapse for any reason, decrease the level of participation and rest more. General exercise tips for people with chronic fatigue syndrome Be guided by your doctor or specialist, but general suggestions include: Experiment to find the type of exercise that works best for you.
Choose from a range of gentle activities such as stretching, yoga, tai chi, walking and light weight training. Keep an activity diary so you have a long-term picture of your performance levels and factors that might impact on your symptoms. Stop the physical activity well before you feel any symptom flare. Pacing yourself is very important. Remember that the amount of exercise you can do will change from one day to the next.
Give feedback about this page. Was this page helpful? Yes No. View all immune system. Related information. From other websites Emerge Australia. Content disclaimer Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Reviewed on: Severe and persistent fatigue or exhaustion most, or all of the time is one of the symptoms of ME-CFS that can help diagnosis. This feels very different from ordinary tiredness.
Simple physical or mental activities, or combinations of activities, can leave people with chronic fatigue feeling completely exhausted and can also lead to an increase in other symptoms. This is known as post-exertional malaise PEM or is sometimes called "payback". This is when the body isn't able to recover after using even small amounts of energy. For a fuller list of symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome visit the Action for M. If pain, especially muscle pain, is more of a problem than fatigue, fibromyalgia , may need to be considered.
Fibromyalgia is a separate condition with its own diagnosis. Frustration, anxiety , low mood and depression are sometimes experienced by people with chronic fatigue syndrome because of the impact of the condition and its symptoms on their lives. Further research is needed to confirm what causes chronic fatigue syndrome. New evidence shows that there might be various factors involved and that there may be a number of different types of the illness.
These different sub-groups of chronic fatigue syndrome still need more research to be identified, including how they lead to different experiences of the condition and how it develops. Chronic fatigue syndrome may appear suddenly or more slowly over time.
It may follow an infection, typically, but not always, viral. Other possible triggers can be trauma, surgery and stressful major life events. However in some cases there may be no identifiable trigger for chronic fatigue syndrome.
Although there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome there are a number of ways to help manage your symptoms. Because of the complexity of the illness, its changing nature and the number of possible symptoms, different things work for different people.
Your GP may be able to support you through managing your individual symptoms. They may be able to refer you to a specialist service or to a service that will help you to manage individual symptoms but this depends on the services available in your area.
To decide what treatment is right for you, you should look at the evidence, including published research and patient surveys, and make sure you fully understand what the treatment involve, before you make a decision. You have the right to decline any treatment option you do not feel comfortable with. Your GP may also need to consider the combined impact of medication for symptoms and possibly for managing other conditions, especially as sensitivity to medicine is a feature of M.
This could mean there may be issues around polypharmacy use of many medications for your health professional to consider. Your illness may make it more difficult for you to make sure that you receive the right balance of nutrients in your diet due to loss of appetite and food intolerances. Your GP may be able to advise you on how you can alter and adjust your diet. Your GP may work with you or refer you to another therapist to suggest aids, activities or support that can help you to recover or adjust so that you can live to your full potential.
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