Most often affects women and usually occurs between 30 and 60 years of age. It causes extreme tiredness, weakness, joint pain, muscle and headaches, fever, lack of concentration and depression…
Factors such as overwork, stress, poor circulation and physical inactivity have been linked to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), however, has not been scientifically impossible to determine the exact cause. This problem is not a hypochondriac, which is, not unreasonably supposed to have a serious illness.
“The problem is not caused by depression, because in that case would have no desire to perform daily activities. In contrast, those who suffer chronic fatigue do you want to perform daily tasks, and has goals, but you can not perform them due to tiredness”. The prolonged depletion is not relieved by rest and results in other trouble, among which are laziness, insomnia, fever and sore throat, neck muscles and arms. This condition, also known as myalgic encephalopathy, substantially disturbs people in personal, family and work.
Cause unknown
Scientists worldwide have studied the chronic fatigue syndrome for over two decades but still do not know what causes it. However, there are specialists who believe that the interaction of certain physical and emotional conditions may predispose to the syndrome. For example, suffer from infection by viruses (such as measles or mononucleosis) while being under excessive stress can increase the risk of developing chronic fatigue. Although the precise origin is unknown the condition, there are some clues. “It could be immune variation, i.e. the body’s defenses work against the nervous system and neurotransmitters (chemicals that transmit stimuli to the brain), which, consequently, alters the state of the person and leads to extreme exhaustion accompanied by various diseases”.
Do I have the syndrome?
The tiredness goes away with rest or sleep or is related to exercise or effort, and, generally, the individual has difficulty concentrating, muscle and joint aches, nausea, dizziness and mood disorders.
Two criteria to guide doctors in diagnosis. The first is unexplained fatigue for six months or more with no obvious cause of the same, this implies difficulty getting out of bed, dressing or eating, and implications for the field school, work and recreation.
The second criterion is the existence of at least four of the following symptoms:
* Problems with concentration and short-term memory.
* Sore throats, muscle, joint or head.
* Swollen lymph glands and tender.
* Lack of sleep.
* Tiredness or exhaustion that lasts more than 24 hours after making physical exertion.
Before confirming the diagnosis, doctors should develop detailed medical history of patients, perform physical examination and usually apply various laboratory tests to rule out these possibilities:
* Any medical condition that can cause extreme fatigue such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid, a gland involved in practically all bodily functions), lupus (a condition where the immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake) sleep apnea (snoring) or obese.
* The use of medications that cause fatigue.
* Eating disorders.
What to do?
To have the condition in question, the patient is unable to move. “This lack of activity, over time, muscles atrophy and decreased bone mineral density, which represents a risk factor for developing osteoporosis”.
It is therefore very important to see a doctor immediately to receive treatment, as a psychiatrist, psychologist or specialist in Occupational Medicine rule out other conditions and determine appropriate treatment.
Thus, although there is no specific cure, the patient can be improved by:
* Exercise. Strengthens the body, and feelings of well being. Of course, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome should take it easy, there are cases which can only carry arms stretching or lifting heavy objects. You must start with little effort and gradually increase the intensity.
* Stress management. Are useful breathing exercises take it easy (as far as possible) and seek times of distraction (listening to music or watch a movie).
* Healthy Eating. It is important to eat balanced diet and avoiding heavy meals, alcohol, caffeine and sweets.
* Psychological therapy. Its purpose is to help people cope with illness and change negative or unrealistic thoughts, also helps to have a positive attitude and believe in their own improvement.
“As we can see, treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms. When there is excessive pain are prescribed anti-inflammatories and painkillers, and secondary insomnia or depressions are prescribed antidepressants. Self-medication is very important not because it can mask other conditions and lose valuable time to detect them.
Do not allow the chronic fatigue syndrome win the battle. We know that getting it is easy to become demoralized, but experts insist that it is important to be positive about the future, rather than blame yourself for the disease.