General Health | Health And Wellness Tips

How To Live A Healthy Life With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Imagine a lifetime of sickness, of perpetual headaches and of endless flu-like illness. Imagine being unable to walk from your bed to the couch because of too much exhaustion. Imagine being locked up in your house, unable to go to work to earn a living. Well, that sums up life for most sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS is a disorder both of the mind and the body. Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, CFS also afflicts the immune system which makes an individual become very sickly. It also affects one’s threshold to physical activities, thus making an individual feel worn out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Further, it limits a person to very minimal activities which make him incapable of holding a job.

With these realities, it is hard to imagine how one can live a normal, healthy life while suffering from chronic fatigue. But can a normal life materialize if you are continuously bothered by the symptoms of this disease? Most likely yes. Below are some of the things that one can do to limit the negative effects of the disease on yourself and on your life.

Remove the diets that spell disaster – It is easy to sabotage one’s health these days by just following the average American’s sense of food proportions, by consuming too much processed foods and by eating too many flour- and sugar-based foods. Sugar is notorious for killing the diets of Americans and so are flour, transfat, processed foods, etc. These types of foods are accounted for numerous diseases that upset health.

Since these foods take up so much space on the plate, nothing is left for foods with high nutritive values anymore. And for people suffering from CFS, it is crucial to maintain a certain level of nutrition in the body. So always try to eat healthy foods, this would lessen some of the biggest problems concerning your condition such as infection and weakened immune system.

Conquer Chronic Fatigue – If you are a sufferer of CFS, you understand that it is easier to stay in bed than to work around the house when you are seriously exhausted. However, it is important to maintain some form of physical activity. Try not to give in to exhaustion and incorporate activity to your daily life. Eventually, you would be able to exercise without getting too worn out.

Win over the illness mentality – In the face of chronic diseases, it is a lot more convenient to let negative thoughts defeat you. Try to picture a life free from chronic fatigue and try to make that picture your goal. Think that your condition is just a state of mind and changes in thinking would liberate you from the troubles of your disease. If you use this technique, which is actually a sound psychotherapeutic technique called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, you would not only help alleviate the symptoms of your condition but you can also prevent these from bothering you again.

Discover techniques that can treat your condition – Since the cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is yet to be established, you might as well discover one for yourself. There are actually treatment techniques that you can formulate for yourself as bases of your self-care system.

These can be made from careful observation of activities and treatments that you respond well to.

How Does It Feel Like To Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has varying levels of severity. Some people only experience lack of peaceful sleep, intermittent headaches and overwhelming exhaustion while other people experience anywhere from 4 to 30 full-blown symptoms which occur simultaneously. While there are a lot of symptoms oftentimes associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there are a few that are commonly reported by patients. Among them are the following:

Overwhelming fatigue People with this syndrome wake up like they just got hit by a truck and feel worn out all day. There are, however, periods which run from a few hours to several hours a day when they feel a bit better. What most of them try to do during these periods is to make up from the lost time they stayed rested in the bed. This backfires on them and they rebound to being exhausted. Whenever they try to do physical activities or exercises, they would get drained easily and would feel worse the next day.

Recurrent infections Among the major symptoms of CFS is infection which may manifest as sore throat, recurrent sinusitis, bladder infection, swollen glands and other respiratory infections. Some patients experience recurrent rash that may or may not go away with antibiotics. Digestive complaints such as bloating, diarrhea, constipation, cramps and gas are also very common which are caused basically by the build-up of yeast in the bowel, or by parasitic infection or by spastic colon.

Brain Fog While overwhelming fatigue is one of the most debilitating symptoms a patient of CFS can experience, the scariest, however, is brain fog. Not a few patients complain of this symptom which may affect their short term memory, their concentration, and their ability to substitute words with another. Some of them also experience brief disorientation which may last anywhere from half a minute to one minute.

Frequent Aches and Pains Muscle pain and multiple joint pains are very common among CFS patients. These are said to be products of lack of sufficient rest or disordered sleep, yeast infections, impaired thyroid glands and lack of nutrition in the body.

Increased thirst Patients of CFS drink two to three times more water than average individuals. This is caused by hormonal problems which lead to increased urine output.

Allergies Because of yeast overgrowth and other conditions occurring in the body of a fatigue patients, allergies and food sensitivities are very common. By removing the causes, of course, the allergies can be removed. However, these patients have histories of poor response towards allergy medications.

Weight gain With or without change in diet, fatigue patients experience 20 to 50 pounds weight gain. Apart from lack of activities, the packing up of pounds is also contributed by hormonal changes.

Depression and anxiety The development of these psychological problems push healthcare providers back to the classic chicken and egg question: does fatigue cause anxiety and depression or is it a product of these psychological conditions? As of yet, no one is certain. It is proposed, however, that some factors are instrumental in aggravating these conditions including poor nutrition and general sense of illness.

Reduced libido Because of hormonal deficiencies, pain and the general feeling of being sick, people affected by CFS have decreased libido. Fortunately, this improves through medication and therapy.

You probably have recognized yourself from reading the above list. If you think you are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it would be in your best interest to consult a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable in this disorder.

Herbal Remedies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Are you suffering from unexplained exhaustion that lasts for more than six months and accompanied by several other symptoms such as sore throat, muscle and joint aches, lack of energy, short-term memory loss and severe headache? There’s a high chance you are afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. Doctors have yet to discover the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS, but it is widely believed that a number of factors help trigger this debilitating disorder. Immune deficiency is on top of this list.

The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are also classic symptoms of viral infections such as flu. And just as viral infections have no known cure yet, there is also no known cure for CFS. However, there are many ways to treat the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and help alleviate the discomfort and illnesses that the patient suffers from.

Since chronic fatigue syndrome is most likely caused by viral infections, it is thus important to keep the immune system strong. Herbal remedies are becoming more popular as more people discover the wondrous effects of natural herbs in promoting health and fighting different types of viruses. For combating chronic fatigue syndrome, the following herbal treatments are recommended.

Ginkgo Biloba This herb is known to improve circulation and brain function. Taking ginkgo biloba can help with memory and cognitive impairments that is one of the symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Korean Ginseng Long used in the orient to boost energy (and sometimes as an aphrodisiac), Ginseng also strengthens the immune system and fight viral infections. It also helps alleviate the harmful effects of stress. Just use with caution, though, because this herb is quite powerful. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, do not use ginseng. Consult an herbalist first if you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine and similar stimulants.

Echinacea This powerful herb prevents pathogens such as bacteria and viruses from entering the body and causing several disorders. It basically protects the cells from infections. Recommended dosage is to take about fifteen to twenty drops in liquid form for thrice daily for two days. This is approximately 300 325 mg taken thrice daily.

Astragalus – One of the most effective herbs to strengthen the immune system, astragalus encourages the production of white blood cells that help fight off and get rid of pathogens that have entered the body. Astragalus is effective in treating flu and head colds but should not be administered if the individual is also suffering from a fever. Recommened dosage of Astragalus is 150-250 mg taken three to four times daily.

Licorice root This herb is known primarily for its efficacy in relieving cough and as an expectorant. But licorice is also effective in purging out toxins from the body. Licorice root also supports the endocrine system. However, it is not advisable to take this herb for more than seven days in a row. If you have high blood pressure, do not take licorice root. If you plan on using licorice for extended periods, make sure you also increase your intake of foods rich in potassium.

Like all other medications, it is important to use proper dosage when using these herbal remedies to achieve the best effects. It is also best to consult a doctor and a herbalist to help you identify which herbs works best and how much dosage you should take.

Herbal Regimen For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients

Chronic fatigue syndrome is one of the more enigmatic disorders today. Characterized by conditions of extreme exhaustion lasting for a prolonged period of time, chronic fatigue syndrome also comes with several other symptoms such as muscle and joint pains, tenderness of the lymph nodes, recurring sore throat, impaired short memory, and severe headache. The underlying causes of this debilitating disease are not yet known.

Researchers have theorized that CFS might be caused by viral infections. This is supported by the fact that CFS and symptoms of flu are quite similar. However, rest and medication can relieve flu. Unfortunately, there is no known cure yet for chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatments and medications for CFS are mostly aimed at relieving the various symptoms that accompany a CFS attack. Doctors use a combination of non-drug therapies and medications to treat the symptoms of CFS.

Many doctors advocate the use of natural and herbal remedies to treat CFS. Herbal medicines have been used for centuries to treat various diseases. An herbal regimen for chronic fatigue syndrome may include tonics to help boost the immune system, increase the body’s energy level, improve digestive efficiency and restore strength to the muscles. Foods that help the body increase its absorption of minerals are also recommended. There are also deep immune tonics that strengthen the body’s supply of bone marrow and replenish the immune reserves.

Adrenal tonics and adaptogens also help boost the adrenal glands to enhance the body’s energy level and fight off stress. Antiviral herbs can be used to combat opportunistic viral infections, especially when combined with immune and adrenal strengthening herbs. Herbs can also be used to relax the nervous system and improve sleep. Some herbs have been used for ages to soothe frazzled nerves and combat stress. Here are some herbs that can be used to treat symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome:

Dang Gui This herb is a small, aromatic, fern-leafed plant native to China and related to the parsley family is best known for its blood strengthening properties. It revitalizes the blood and is also known to boost the health of the uterus and other female generative organs. Dan Gui is used to treat anemia, irregular menstruation, and for treating the symptoms of PMS and menopause. Dang Gui can be taken in various forms: tincture, capsule, tablet, powder and bulk herb.

Gentian This is a bitter tonic that acts as a digestive stimulant. It is usually taken15-30 minutes before meals and is typically combined with other herbs. Studies have reveled that gentian has immune-strengthening properties. It is usually given to patients to help in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients, enhancement of energy levels and improvement of immune function.

Ligustrum This herb can be used as a deep immune tonic to strengthen the immune system and fight off the harmful effects of overwork and stress. It is also used to nourish the liver and the adrenal glands and as a treatment for nausea, low back pain and palpitations. Ligustrum is even used in cancer treatments because of its potency.

Siberian Ginseng This herb has immune-regulating and adaptogenic properties. This makes Siberian ginseng a good treatment for fatigue, exhaustion, immune deficiency and other stress-related disorders. As an adaptogen, Siberian ginseng helps patients adapt to stress. This herb is also helpful in treating chronic inflammatory conditions. Taking Siberian ginseng also helps increase energy levels.