CFS – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Author: Shannon Miller Lifestyle
Tired?
Does it seem you can never get enough rest?
Do there seem to be no solutions for a devastating tired feeling that is persistent?
You may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is defined by the following symptoms:
- 6 months or more of persistent tiredness, unrelieved by sleep
- devastating tiredness for 24 hours or more after physical exertion
- forgetfulness
- difficulty in concentration
- joint pain
- headaches
- irritability
- mild fever
- muscle soreness without exertion
- swollen lymph nodes
If you are experiencing these symptoms, see a doctor. He will probably take a few tests to check for the flu, rheumatoid arthritis, or clinical depression.
If he determines that you may have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, without another diagnosis, he may prescribe the following:
- healthy diet plan or appointment with a Registered Dietician
- Mind-Body exercise plan, such as Yoga or Tai Chi
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- massage therapy
- anti-depressant medication
- anti-anxiety medication
No one really knows why CFS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, happens to certain people, but some theories are:
- hormone-related changes, such as peri-menopause
- previous illnesses and their effect on the immune system
- environmental toxins
- stress
Virginia, a Family Mediator, from the state of Virginia, says:
“I was diagnosed with CFS when my daughter was 17. She is now 38. At first I couldn’t do much about getting better because I was taking care of two traumatized preschoolers and two other kids while getting divorced and then struggling to make ends meet. Doctors tried to help but couldn’t offer much that made any difference except for anti-depressants. Some of them understood that depression was secondary. Being too tired to do anything when there is much that you want to do and much that you must do is pretty depressing. Eventually I was able to give myself better care: stress reduction, good nutrition, sleep or rest when tired, and VERY slowly build up the amount of exercise I could manage. In the beginning, walking half a block uphill took all of the physical energy that I had. After two or three years of gradual increases, I could sometimes walk 4 miles. I have not fully recovered, but I am able to do some valuable work and to have some fun now.”
For Virginia, it is a work in progress.