People suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS
usually experience feeling of tiredness, even during periods of
inactivity. There are also other symptoms that manifest for individuals plagued by the condition.
Medical experts as well as researchers still do not have a conclusive answer as to what causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS. As such, there are no absolute cures to treat this condition. In the case of children diagnosed with CFS also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, doctors can prescribe a variety of treatments that will alleviate and relieve symptoms.
Diagnosis and Symptoms of CFS
Some of the most common symptoms associated with CFS are as follows:
– unexplained tiredness and easy fatigability
– flu-like symptoms
– insominia or sleeplessness
– dizziness and nausea
– difficulty in processing information
– muscle and joint pain
– sore throat
Usually, children only feel a sense of tiredness. In some cases, the other symptoms are accompanied by the exhausted or tired feeling too.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome may be mild with one or two symptoms, while those suffering from severe CFS experience a variety of symptoms all at the same time.
There is no definite test that can diagnose CFS. Medical experts however conduct a series of test to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms relating to CFS.
In adults, diagnosis of CFS can only be made only if the
symptoms are consistently present for at least four months or longer. On the other hand, a child must manifest CFS-related symptoms for 3 months or even longer.
Management and Treatment of CFS
There are different interventions to manage the symptoms associated with CFS:
– Relaxation. Do relaxation techniques as often as you can, or during your idle time.
– Consistent Sleeping Patterns
– Make it a habit to go to bed at the same time each night. Avoid
daytime napping as much as possible
– Limit your activity even during days when you don’t feel the
symptoms of CFS.
Other medical-related treatments that doctor may prescribe are the following:
– Anti-Depressants
These medications will alleviate feelings of depression, and will even help you sleep soundly during sleepless nights
– Mild Exercise routines
You should try to exercise or workout. Start small, and work your way up to moderate to intense physical exercises once you are ready to level up
– psychological counseling
– cognitive behavioral therapy
There is no one and absolute cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Your doctor may prescribe you a series of treatments and interventions to decrease the appearance of symptoms. These management strategies for CFS will allow you to develop a stronger physical, mental, and emotional self, thus helping you get treated once and for all. Over-the-counter products that are advertised to cure CFS should be treated with caution.
Your doctor may also suggest that you work with other health care experts such as psychologists and psychiatrists to reduce the symptoms or manage the symptoms on the long term.
You will need to coordinate with your doctor when it comes to managing your time, and allocating your efforts and energy to activities at home, school, and at work. You may be advised to skip work or school during days when you feel “sick”. In order to minimize the attacks of CFS symptoms, it is recommended that you schedule your activities to avoid feeling sick and to reduce the use of what little energy or vigor you have
during CFS attacks.
