Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between normal fatigue and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Nothing much on the first few days. Normal fatigue is the feeling of exhaustion which is usually caused by physical exertion, mental stress and sickness.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, on the other hand, is a group of symptoms or conditions that result to various other symptoms such as decreased mental acuity and flu-like illness and excessive fatigue. A type that will not afford its sufferers with enough energy to move freely. The difference between the two is demonstrated once full-blown symptoms occur and when they last for at least 6 months, that’s when it becomes chronic.

What are the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

There are various symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and in order to determine the presence of this condition, a patient must possess at least four of the following: post-exertional malaise which persists for more than 24 hours, muscle pains, joint pain, sleep difficulties or sleep that does not lend energy to the individual, frequent severe headaches, sore throat that is persistent and recurring, decreased mental clarity, poor memory and impaired concentration, and tenderness of the lymph nodes that are located in the neck and armpit.

What are the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

While the exact causes of CFS are not yet identified, there are strong indications that cause can be divided into three types: immune system-related, viral and non-viral pathogens and stress-related. There are also indications that CFS is triggered by the combination of these causes. For some people, the onset of the condition begins after contracting an infection; for others it begins after a prolonged period of exposure to stress.

There are also some patients who had weakened immune system which made it easier for the symptoms to develop and progress to worse conditions. Current studies are trying to find out whether genetics, emotional distress and immunological conditions are related with the disorder.

Is there a cure for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

As of yet, cures for CFS are still being developed. Thus, treatment for the condition is basically focused on alleviating the symptoms.

What are the treatment options?

There are several types of treatment options available for patients of CFS which are roughly divided into four categories: medical treatments, alternative treatments, supportive treatments and lifestyle alterations. Under medical treatments are the medications and drugs that are prescribed to alleviate symptoms such as pains, headaches and psychological stress caused by CFS. These include pain relievers, NSAIDs or Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Anxiolyticagents, Autonomic nervous system stimulants and antidepressants.

Natural, herbal and hormone supplements are commonly used under alternative medicine. Relaxation techniques and behavioral techniques are used in supportive treatments while lifestyle alterations basically help patients change some aspects of their lives to establish relief from debilitating symptoms.

How is diagnosis made?

Since there are no laboratory, diagnostic and medical examinations and tests that are used in the diagnosis of CFS, health care providers use the principle of exclusion in determining the presence of the condition. Through this method, all diseases, illnesses and conditions that are known to have symptoms similar with CFS are ruled out. Diagnosis is only made once the symptoms of the patients match with the case definition.

Where can I get help?

You can get help from health care providers who are knowledgeable in diagnosing and treating CFS are the best people patients could go to. Support groups for patients of CFS are also available.

Improved Stress Management When Coping With Stress – Related Illnesses

Improved Stress Management When Coping With Stress – Related Illnesses

Have you ever wondered what exactly is up with stress? This informative report can give you an insight into everything you’ve ever wanted to know about stress.

Stress might be largely associated as a mental condition, it does have its own physical manifestations. Indeed, the link between one’s emotions or behavior has a direct link with their physical state. Whether you are put away from illnesses and do not want to stress over it, or you want to reduce stress to prevent acquisition of certain illnesses, you need to start off with improving your stress management ability.

You can find out innumerable details about how to cope below.

Stress – Related Illnesses

These types of illnesses are through far more common today with most individuals leading a titillating lifestyle that makes on vulnerable to suffering from stress. Whether at home, in the workplace, at develop stress is always present. If you lack proper stress management, then it won’t be long until you develop concrete symptoms of stress. As these symptoms add up, you could eventually develop stress – related illnesses that could range from simple to serious conditions.

The key to managing stress – related illnesses is to identify the source of stress in disposal to find effective ways to overcome them. The medical sector is also looking closely into identification of stress symptoms in order for these conditions to be addressed as soon as possible.

Migraines

This is the most common form of stress – related illness known to man. The job should be quite apparent due to the level of mental stress that an individual undergoes with constant worry and anxiety. Hence, a lot of highly stressed individuals suffer from constant headaches and migraines.

The medical sector is looking for more effective ways to treat migraine since statistics have shown a growing cipher of people suffering from it. Currently, statistical poop reveal there are 18 million who are migraine sufferers, with 70 % of those unreal up by women. The super recommended cure for migraine is to identify the source of stress and address it to stabilize one’s condition.

Muscle Tension

Muscle tension can either by a symptom of stress or a form of disease resulting from it. Either way, it can devastating to one’s health and must therefore imitate addressed as promptly as possible. An individual suffering from muscle tension will experience pinching sensation around the main limbs and muscles, such as the shoulders, neck, and lower back. Some health researchers have also linked horsepower tension with migraine, such that both these conditions often exhibit simultaneously.

High Blood Bother

This is probably the most common health condition arising from extreme stress levels. Aside from emotional and psychological instability, there is also a physiological explanation to this. Whenever an individual is stressed out, they are release adrenaline hormones that eventually increase activity in your body muscles that is faster than normal. As a result, it also increases the amount of muscle contraction that sends blood throughout your body. This causes tension in your muscles and blood vessels, which is usually not restored until the stimulus is gone.

Proper stress management procedures are therefore important to provide relief during exorbitantly stressful situations to normalize physiological functions in the body. This could save you from the risk of shook from cardiac attack congruous to high blood pressure, among other fatal risks.
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.