Category: General Health

Overcoming The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fatigue is a condition of exhaustion and lack of energy caused by several factors such as viral infection, overexertion and lack of sleep. As fatigue is a normal condition, most people have experienced fatigue at least once in their lifetimes. The feeling of exhaustion is usually relieved after the person gets some rest. But if a person suffers from fatigue for extended periods of time, usually more than 6 months, he/she may be suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition of extreme and persistent fatigue that lasts for six months and more. It usually comes with several other symptoms such as muscle pain, aches in the joints, sore throat, and lack of energy. Most people with chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS usually suffer from a more serious disorder like fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic fatigue immunodeficiency syndrome. The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is hard to determine, but it is widely believed that there are three factors that trigger this debilitating disorder.

The Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Viral or bacterial infection Exposure to viruses and bacteria can cause chronic fatigue syndrome. The symptoms of fatigue usually disappear when the infection is successfully treated.

Overexertion Rigorous physical activities that go beyond what the body can take results to extreme exhaustion. Athletes who are prone to over training are susceptible to this.

Depression Some doctors believe there is a link between chronic fatigue syndrome and stress or anxiety. People who suffer from depression are also usually afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dehydration Depriving the body of its daily water requirements has long-term side effects such as chronic fatigue.

Eating disorders Inadequate supply of vitamins and minerals in the body causes chronic fatigue since the body lacks the proper nutrition it needs to perform properly.

Now that you know what triggers chronic fatigue syndrome, the following remedies should help you overcome the symptoms of CFS.

Have a balanced, healthy diet Increase your intake of healthy food such as fruits and vegetables. These provide your body with vitamins and minerals to keep your immune system strong. Also increase your consumption of garlic and onion, which are known to boost the immune system. Eating more quality protein that is rich in omega 3, 6 and 9 (such as fish, chicken, soy products) also helps maintain the body healthy.

Avoid food high in fat and sugar content, as they will make you prone to feeling lethargic and sluggish. Never skip breakfast and instead of having three full meals per day, go for more frequent meals but with smaller portions to keep your body’s metabolism going.

Get up and active People afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome don’t have to rest and sleep all the time. Regular exercise is advised to help combat the lethargy and lack of energy. Fifteen to thirty minutes of mild exercise combined with 30 minutes of rigorous physical activity such as swimming, aerobics and tennis can work wonders in improving your heart’s performance and for proper circulation.

De-stress Doctors have found out that there is a strong connection between stress/anxiety and the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. To avoid having chronic fatigue, it is advised to manage stress and bring stress levels down. Learning to deal with stress will not only help you combat chronic fatigue, it will also help you improve your relationships, boost your health and enhance your general outlook on life.

Overcome Chronic Fatigue With Simple Measures

Chronic fatigue is an illness that you must not take for granted. If it persists for a long time, it can lead to serious other health troubles specifically related to the immune system. In most cases, chronic fatigue is suffered by almost all people those who have hectic schedule, bad lifestyle habit, and even those who have complete sleeping hours.

So, if you find yourself having bouts of the symptoms, perhaps it is time for you to check your lifestyle and health habits. Here are some simple yet proven ways to overcome or avoid the illness.

Keeping Healthy

Though there are other causes, fatigue and tiredness often is the result when you have chronic flu which lasts for months. The lack of proper nutrition in your body decreases the immune system; therefore, making your body weak and more susceptible to sicknesses. Vitamin C is a great booster to your immune system so include this in your diet along with healthy food intake and enough rest.

Managing Stress Level

High stress level is never good for anyone’s health condition as it makes you get tired so easily. High stress level is often achieved when you are having heated arguments with another, having problems at the office, having a conflict with another that cause your anger or emotional level to rise up. When you can’t manage your stress level, it is easy for you to be targeted by the chronic fatigue syndrome. But the good news is it is easy to get rid of your stress. Just try to do exercises, maybe a walk on weekends around the park or any kind of exercise regimen that will refresh and relax your body.

Avoiding Too Much Night Activities

It isn’t always easy to avoid the night life. It just feels good to visit the local nightclub, search for restaurants offering unique foods, and hang out with friends. However, being up until early in the morning is never good for the body as it is meant to rest a certain amount of time. It causes fatigue the following morning especially if you are going for work or school.

Avoiding Caffeine as Energy Booster

Coffee has always been the good companion especially of people who need to wake up in the middle of the day and at night. But using it as energy booster can lead to health problems as it only gives temporary measures and can aggravate chronic fatigue condition.

Drinking Dark Chocolate

It is found at the pilot study that eating or drinking dark chocolate which has high contents of cocoa is good for overcoming chronic fatigue syndrome. This is because it contains a chemical, serotonin, which has been found to be responsible for giving benefits to the brain.

Also, dark chocolates contain polyphenols, another chemical which was found to have great benefits in reducing blood pressure. It can also provide relief to patients who suffer with chronic fatigue. So, instead of coffee, you may opt to take dark chocolate into your diet to help overcome your fatigue problems.

Chronic fatigue is an illness that one must never neglect as it can lead to more serious problems. Avoiding it to go serious by taking the above simple ways will bring significant impact to your life. Living a simpler life is always one effective way of leading a healthy lifestyle, free of illnesses, which not to mention, can be very expensive to attend to.

Natural Remedies For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

To experience fatigue is a normal occurrence in one’s life. Most people experience fatigue especially after doing some strenuous activities. These instances of fatigue only happen when we overexert ourselves. The feeling of exhaustion is usually relieved after we get some much-needed rest. However, people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffer from fatigue, as well as a number of other symptoms, for a long period of time, usually over six months.

Although the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is difficult to determine, it is believed that one of the factors that trigger it is viral infection. People suffering from CFS usually exhibit symptoms that also occur in viral infections such as flu: sore throat, headache, muscle and joint aches, etc.

There is no known cure for viruses, as drugs such as antibiotics cannot cure them. Consequently, there is also no known cure yet for chronic fatigue syndrome. But people suffering from viral infections can combat these viruses by boosting their immune system. Because chronic fatigue syndrome has a strong link to viral infection, boosting the immune system by using natural remedies is one of the best ways to at least relieve some of the symptoms if not overcome the condition.

The following natural remedies are highly recommended to patients suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome:

1.) Include more vegetables and fruits into your diet A nutritious and balanced diet is an excellent way to maintain health and combat illnesses. By eating more green leafy vegetables, whole grains and fruits, your body is nourished with vitamins and minerals that strengthen the immune system.

2.) Eat more high-quality protein Food such as fish, soy products, nuts and chicken are good sources of quality protein that are low in saturated fat and help maintain a good healthy body. Chicken and fish are also good sources of omega 3, 6 and 9.

3.) Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day Our body is 70% water and drinking 8-10 glasses of water helps cleanse the body and keep it hydrated.

4.) Add more garlic and onion into your diet Onion and garlic are known for their virus-inhibiting abilities. They can be taken either raw or cooked. Supplements that contain garlic and onion can also be taken as an alternative if you don’t like the taste of these two healthful bulbs.

5.) Exercise regularly Adding exercises and other physical activities into your daily routine can do wonders for you. Having CFS doesn’t mean all you need to do is rest all day. People with CFS are usually lethargic and easily tired. To fight the lethargy, keeping the body active is important. Doing 15-30 minutes of mild exercise and another 30 minutes of vigorous physical activities such as aerobics, tennis, swimming and brisk walking can help your body function better and your heart healthier and stronger.

Stretching and other relaxation exercises can also help you manage stress, which intensifies chronic fatigue. However, before you start any exercise routine, consult your doctor and ask for his advice.

6.) Take herbal supplements to fight CFS There are several herbal medicines you can take to help you manage chronic fatigue syndrome. Echinacea root is known as an immune system booster. It is available in tablet/capsule form and as tea. Ginseng root is believed to restore vitality and increase energy.

In Asian countries, it is even known as an aphrodisiac. Licorice, pokeroot and golden seal are also helpful in combating chronic fatigue syndrome.

More Herbal Remedies For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

It is widely believed that chronic fatigue syndrome is linked with viral infections despite the fact that doctors have yet to determine the exact cause of this debilitating ailment. In fact, most of the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome such as extreme exhaustion, muscle pains, tenderness in the joints, severe headache and lack of energy are also symptoms found in various viral infections such as flu.

Thus, to help combat the symptoms of CFS, it is important to stop the progress of these viruses and keep the immune system strong to help prevent future viral infections.

When it comes to boosting the immune system, one of the best ways is to go natural meaning, to turn to natural alternative remedies such as herbs. Aside from Korean ginseng, astragalus, ginkgo biloba, echinacea and licorice root, there are several other herbal remedies that individuals suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome can try.

Most of these herbal remedies are easily available. Here are some of them:

Siberian ginseng This herb increases the body’s resistance to stress and fatigue as well as several diseases. It is also widely praised for its efficacy in increasing mental alertness. It also has strong antioxidant properties. These make Siberian ginseng a recommended herbal remedy for the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it is important to use a standardized Siberian ginseng extract that contains 0.5% eleutheroside E and take 100-200 milligrams two times daily since the herb has its optimal potency at this dosage. It is best to take Siberian ginseng once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Garlic Since ancient times, garlic has been known for its antibiotic properties. It contains the chemical alicin, which helps kill many types of bacteria and viruses. Garlic also has antioxidant effects. Garlic can be taken either raw or cooked. If you don’t like the taste of garlic, you can also choose supplements that have high garlic content.

Burdock A type of thistle, burdock is known for its diuretic and diaphoretic properties. It is also known as a blood-purifying agent. Taking burdock is an excellent way to flush away the toxins that cause several disorders. In traditional Chinese medicine, the greater burdock is also used extensively especially for treating dandruff and hair loss.

Carrot juice with kelp and bee pollen This combination creates an excellent tonic drink that is perfect for boosting your energy level whenever you feel the effects of fatigue wear you down. This combination is highly recommended as a perk-me-up for individuals with low-blood pressure.

Goldenseal This herb is used widely to control infections. In cases of sore throat, goldenseal extracts are recommended to help soothe it. All you have to do is to take a few drops of goldenseal extract the alcohol-free variety and hold it in your mouth for a few seconds before swallowing. However, it is advised that goldenseal should not be taken on a daily basis for more than a week. Pregnant women should also not sue goldenseal. For individuals with history of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, it is important to consult your doctor first and use goldenseal under your doctor’s supervision.

Cat’s claw This herb is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties. Ideal dosage is 250 mg of standardized cat’s claw extract taken thrice daily with gradual increases in dosage over a period of four weeks until you reach a thousand milligrams taken three times per day.

Cat’s claw is not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers. Individuals using anticoagulant are also advised to use cat’s claw with caution.