Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,Causes and Treatments

Health & FitnessMedicine

  • Author Harry Jackson
  • Published January 17, 2010
  • Word count 834

Feeling tired much of the time may not necessarily indicate that you are suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Tiredness is linked to many other conditions. However, if your tiredness is accompanied by other symptoms, such as difficulty with sleeping and concentrating, frequent headaches, memory loss, a sore throat and the symptoms listed above, then there is a chance you could be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Relative to many of today's diseases and disorders, little is known about the etiology, the cause, and the long-term effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS). The two disorders share a myriad of characteristics, however, which begs the question: Are they really two separate diseases? How does Myofascial Pain Syndrome fit in? What are the various pain expressions characteristic of each? How are symptoms the same or distinct from each other? Neck pain, back pain, and sciatica have been reported in all three conditions but in varying degrees of intensity and frequency.

Fibromyalgia information was not readily available to doctors and the general public until the late eighties when research took an upswing. Presently, there are over 6 million people in the United states that suffer with Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

There are many suspected causes of Fibromyalgia but none have been found as the root cause. Just as there are many causes, there are many overlapping symptoms. Fibromyalgia symptoms come and go and no one understands exactly why that happens. One may go for sometime without any fibro symptoms only to have it flare up for no apparent reason.

Causes

Chronic fatigue syndrome is considered to be a disease which was 1st named in 1980's. Till now, as maximum numbers of individuals have been diagnosed with the CFS, numerous individuals outside and inside health field still have doubt regarding its presence or preserve that it is psychological ailment. Individuals who were healthy in the past and were filled with energy, might have to go through different types of symptoms, which are inclusive of weakness, headaches and superior fatigue and face problem while concentration and painful muscles, lymph nodes and painful muscles.

If you go to sleep at the same time every night, and get up at the same time every morning, your body will get used to routine and will be ready when it's time to sleep. There are other causes of chronic fatigue such as depression, stress and anxiety - you must get these symptoms treated straight away - neglect them and they'll only get worse. Anxiety and stress lead to slow breathing and this results in low oxygen levels in your body. If you breathe consciously, you will increase the oxygen supply to your body and get rid of anxiety and stress.

There are many similarities between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. The course of both disorders is generally persistent and chronic, with symptoms arising steadily to a crescendo, often waxing and waning in cycles. Unfortunately, the prognosis is poor with little real understanding of the etiology or cause. Treatment strategies for both chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia are focused more on symptoms than on treating the perceived cause. Pain often varies from dull to acute, from fleeting to constant or chronic. Improvement is possible for those with the disorder(s), but complete recovery is rare. Most CFS and FMS sufferers continue to have symptoms for years, if not decades.

Treatments

Provigil is a medicine sometimes used to treat the symptom which can help with mental alertness and positive attitude. It is relatively free from side effects and need only be taken once a day. Effexor is an antidepressant that can help alleviate some of the pain associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as well as help with fatigue and mental clarity. Neurontin is an anticonvulsant which may be effective in treating sleep disorders, headaches, anxiety and mood problems as well as the pain associated with chronic fatigue.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is considered to be a disease which was 1st named in 1980's. Till now, as maximum numbers of individuals have been diagnosed with the CFS, numerous individuals outside and inside health field still have doubt regarding its presence or preserve that it is psychological ailment. Individuals who were healthy in the past and were filled with energy, might have to go through different types of symptoms, which are inclusive of weakness, headaches and superior fatigue and face problem while concentration and painful muscles, lymph nodes and painful muscles. Characteristically CFS follows the viral infection and at times is found after the mononucleosis infections.

Many theories are being tested to find the exact cause and some believe is caused by a reaction to specific environmental conditions and chemicals, while others consider the possibility of a collapse of the immune system. The severity of symptoms that affect each person vary, and so is the effect of the status of CFS patients with certain leaders, while others almost normal existence may be immobilized in bed for several days or the worst case for weeks or months at a time.

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