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• sore throat?
• memory loss?
• recurring headaches?
• pain that seems to alternate from one joint to another?
• pain in the muscles, as if you had the flu?
• enlarged, tender nodes in the armpits and neck?
• dry eyes?
• sleep disorders?
• ringing in the ears?
• light sensitivity?
• low body temperature, like you are freezing, even in the summer?
• depression?
• fatigue that doesn't go away after rest?
All of these are common Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms. As you can see, the condition contemplates something more than just a persistent fatigue. A few more questions:
• Are you in your 40s or 50s?
• Are you a woman?
Women, especially in their 40s, are more prone to experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than men are. This condition forces a reduction in physical activity and may last several months or even years. It worsens with exercise. Because patients feel so exhausted, they become less active and frequently gain weight. In extreme cases, CFS patients experience an episode in which they can't move for a few minutes or hours due to lack of strength and then they panic.
Chronic Fatigue Treatment
The causes of CFS are unknown and, therefore, there's no true chronic fatigue treatment available. The only hope for a patient who's been diagnosed CFS is symptomatic treatment and most people recover prior activity levels.
Usually, treatment relies on medication for sleep recovery and pain relief. Because the major problems in CFS relate to sleep deprivation, patients can use some over-the-counter products to get quality sleep. Vicks VapoRub, for example, when applied to the chest or throat, reduces congestion and, in turn, the patient has a better sleep.
Medications with paracetamol (Panadol, Anacin) or diphenhydramine HCl (an antihistamine with sedating properties, found in Tylenol Simple Sleep and Zolben, among others) help fight poor sleep quality as well.
For patients who suffer from headaches and other pains, Tylenol PM or Anacin Headache are better options, instead, because besides a sleeping aid ingredient they include acetaminophen, a pain reliever.
Other alternative treatments include exercise and psychological therapy.
Graded Exercise Therapy, for example, begins by finding out the point beyond which a patient's symptoms worsen with physical activity. After monitoring daily routines and determining the threshold point, a therapist designs a special exercise program.
As CFS patients often have mood swings and some experience depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be effective for the treatment of these symptoms.
If you happen to live in Ottawa, and you think you may be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it is highly recommended that you consult your local Ottawa chiropractor, someone who specializes in alternative treatments to this ailment.
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Many people doubt the legitimacy of chronic fatigue syndrome. Some people believe that the illness is just a figment of imagination. The reason for the disbelief in the disease is mostly due to the fact that there are no lab tests or in patient examinations that can prove that the person is actually suffering from this illness.
Usually if a person goes to the doctor and he/she is suffering from CFS, many other possibilities have to be eliminated prior to reaching a conclusion. Even after the conclusion has been reached, the results are never one hundred percent positive that the patient is in fact suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This is perhaps why, from the one million Americans who suffer from the disease, only twenty percent have actually been diagnosed with it. So what exactly is CFS? This particular ailment is actually a type of severe fatigue that can last six months or longer. The fatigue is so severe that it can reduce someone's ability to accomplish daily tasks. People are usually too tired to work and participate in any type of activity. For those people who remain working, their job usually suffers as their productivity lessens.
Some other symptoms of the illness include: pain in muscles, pain in joints, problems with memory, problems with concentration, headaches, unsatisfying sleep, sore throat, and sensitive lymph nodes. As of right now, there is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. The only way that doctors are able to help people who are suffering from CFS is by relieving their symptoms. For instance, a doctor may prescribe someone medicine to aid in reducing pain in the muscles or joins. Taking these little steps helps people regain their ability to perform daily tasks. People suffering from this illness can truly vouch for the legitimacy of it.