Chronic fatigue syndrome:
It is a long-term condition with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme fatigue, which is a complex and debilitating disease. It may be diagnosed after six months or more of severe fatigue that does not improve with rest, and which may get worse after activities that use physical or mental energy. It can affect anyone, including children, but is more common in women.
Causes:
It may have more than one cause, and two or more triggers can work together to cause the disease. Some possible causes:
- Infection (such as: infection with the Epstein-Barr virus “EBV”).
- A change in a person’s immune system and the way it responds to infection or stress.
- Physical or emotional stress
- Genes and environment
- Chronic low blood pressure (hypotension) caused by a problem with the nervous system.
- A defect in the body’s cells that affects energy production.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome may be similar to the symptoms of many diseases, but the feeling of constant fatigue and stress is its hallmark, as it may develop suddenly (after an infection such as a cold or flu) or it may develop gradually over several months. Fatigue and stress can lead to significant impairment in the ability to function at home or at work, which usually does not improve after rest. Other features include:
- Feeling tired after exerting an effort, which may occur after physical or mental activity or standing for a long time.
- Feeling insufficient sleep and lack of activity in the morning.
- Having difficulty concentrating or having problems with attention and memory.
- Symptoms worsen when standing and maintaining an upright posture and improve when lying down.
Some other symptoms include:
- Arthritis
- Muscle pain
- Nausea
- Sore throat that persists or goes away and comes back often.
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy or faint when sitting or standing.
- Mood swings, anxiety, depression.
Treatment:
There is no definitive cure for it, but some symptoms can be reduced or controlled and quality of life can be improved, and treatment of these symptoms may provide relief for some patients.
Instructions for those with chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Balance rest and activities to control the disease.
- Find ways to make activities easier (e.g. sitting while bathing or showering, taking frequent breaks, breaking large tasks into smaller tasks).
- Work on a plan when engaging in physical activity; To avoid exacerbation of the disease.
- Talk to your doctor about sleep problems to prescribe medication.
- Memory aids (e.g.: schedule list) can help solve memory problems.
- Talk to a therapist to help find strategies for dealing with the illness and its impact on daily life and relationships.
- Follow a balanced diet.
- Complementary therapies (such as meditation, gentle massage, deep breathing, or relaxation therapy) may be helpful.