Chronic fatigue syndrome
Overview :
When fatigue refers not to the rest, prevents simple tasks and worse physical and mental activity, we are faced with a case of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). It is therefore different from the fatigue that sometimes we suffer the result of a lifestyle increasingly full of activities (work, family, social …). CFS sufferers live with a disorder of unknown origin, disabling even for simple tasks and has become a challenge for physicians and researchers.
Continued and extreme tiredness
The SFC is a benign disease that occurs in the sufferer a feeling of extreme fatigue (like a flu-like viral syndrome, but longer). Moreover, it does not go away with rest or start due to physical exercise or to develop intense intellectual activity, although they are activities that increase the feeling of fatigue. On the other hand, is much more intense than it can produce performing everyday tasks and extend over time, coming to stop performing the most common, whether at work, home or social.
UNKNOWN CAUSES
The cause of chronic fatigue is unknown. Some theories have attempted to involve some virus or alterations in the immune system, but there is insufficient evidence to support any of these theories.They could also be related factors such as age, previous diseases, stress, genetic factors or environmental factors.
How I can suspect that I suffer CFS ?
Many diseases can cause similar symptoms, so it can sometimes be difficult to establish the precise diagnosis.One of the diseases most common to be confused Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is fibromyalgia, but one of the most important differences is that in the latter tend to predominate muscle pain symptoms of fatigue. In fact, fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disease, chronic, disabling and often overlap with chronic fatigue. Two diseases that can be identified separately and may eventually converge or have similar symptoms.
Chronic fatigue syndrome Diagnosis
The main criterion for diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is the occurrence of extreme tiredness for a period exceeding six months, that is not relieved by rest in bed and from participating in routine tasks (work, home, social).
Other symptoms that may come and support the diagnosis if in a number higher than four can be:
- Fatigue for more than 24 hours after mild exercise
- Tiredness after sleeping long enough
- Shortness of memory and concentration
- Confusion
- Joint pain without signs of inflammation
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Febricula
- Muscle aches
- Generalized muscle weakness
- Sore throat or tenderness in the lymph nodes of the neck.
Diagnosis is based on clinical and ruling out other possible causes, such as drug dependence, immunity disorders or autoimmune diseases, infections, endocrine or neuromuscular diseases, heart disease, kidney or liver disease, tumors or psychiatric illness.
No known tests to confirm the diagnosis, but in some cases may appear nonspecific blood analysis or brain magnetic resonance imaging.
DIFFERENT FROM FIBROMYALGIA
Many diseases can cause similar symptoms, so it can sometimes be difficult to establish the precise diagnosis. One of the diseases most common to be confused Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is fibromyalgia, but one of the most important differences is that in the latter tend to predominate muscle pain symptoms of fatigue. In fact, fibromyalgia is a rheumatic disease, chronic, disabling and often overlap with chronic fatigue. Two diseases that can be identified separately and may eventually converge or have similar symptoms.
Prognosis and complications
In the long term it is difficult to make a forecast of the evolution of the disease, but some patients recover completely between six months and one year after the onset of symptoms.
In other cases, despite the improvement in symptoms patients reported a residual feeling of fatigue for years.
Moreover, being a prolonged illness at the time, many patients develop symptoms of depression and isolation.
drug treatment in cases of severe side effects may occur medications taken for long periods of time.
Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment
So far there is no specific treatment and treatment goals with the control of physical and psychological symptoms. However, we have some treatments that can help and it is common to use a combination of:
- Drugs to reduce pain, discomfort and fever
- Anxiolytic and antidepressant drugs
- Physical exercise and rehabilitation
- Healthy eating
- Techniques for improving sleep quality,
- Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy
BEST ADVICE
Behaviors that tend to follow recommended to those suffering chronic fatigue include:
- Maintain an active social life
- Avoid strenuous activity in the days that more fatigue
- Balancing good hours sleep and rest-activity
- Trying to break tasks into smaller minor
- Spreading the tasks over the days of a balanced
- Practice relaxation techniques and stress reduction (muscle relaxation, massage, yoga, meditation, etc..).
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