Tag: Skin Diseases

A Quick Look At Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating disorder that is characterized by a condition of extreme exhaustion and fatigue that lasts for extended periods of time usually six months or more. Doctors have yet to uncover what exactly causes this disorder but it is widely believed that a number of factors trigger its onset. These factors include stress, viral infections, hormone levels and lack of adequate sleep.

Poor diet and lack of exercise are also considered as factors that strongly contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Because there is no known exact cause of CFS, doctors find it difficult to diagnose if a patient is indeed suffering from CFS or if the symptoms are actually of another ailment.

The NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) says that in order for a patient to be diagnosed with CFS, he must be suffering from severe chronic fatigue for six months or beyond and at the same time, should have four or more of the following symptoms: impaired short term memory, prolonged feeling of extreme exhaustion, muscle pains, swelling and tenderness of multiple joints and the lymph nodes, recurring sore throat, severe headache and un-refreshing sleep.

Since the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is yet to be determined, there is no known cure for it at present. Treatments for CFS are meant to relieve the symptoms and improve the patient’s bodily functions. Doctors recommend a combination of medications and non-drug therapies. Dietary restrictions and nutritional supplements are also used to help suppress the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition to therapy, lifestyle changes are also highly recommended.

Although it might seem contradictory, regular exercise is also a good way to help treat chronic fatigue syndrome. However, doctors should carefully supervise any physical activity that the patient does to avoid aggravating the symptoms. Mild exercise for 10-15 minutes followed by 30 minutes of rigorous physical activities such as tennis, swimming, brisk walking and others. Such activities help make the heart stronger and healthier to promote better circulation.

Aside from these, individuals afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome can also do stretching and other relaxation exercises to help manage stress. A doctor should approve any exercise routine to avoid injury or worsening of the CFS symptoms.

Many doctors also recommend herbal remedies because they are natural and effective. There are a number of herbal medicines that CFS victims can take. Echinacea root is known for its ability to boost the immune system. Since viral infection is one of the factors that trigger chronic fatigue syndrome, using Echinacea strengthens the immune system to fight of viruses and eliminate their harmful effects.

Ginseng root, long used in the orient as a herb to restore vitality and energy, can be taken in capsule or tablet form to help keep the body active and strong. Licorice is primarily known for its ability to purge toxins from the body and can help keep the immune system resistant to attacks by viruses.

Aside from herbal medications, just living a healthy life and having a balanced, healthy diet can help the individual overcome the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Fruits and vegetables provide the body with the important vitamins and minerals to keep the immune system strong.

An Overview Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is the name given to a debilitating disorder characterized by conditions of extreme and lasting fatigue. Chronic fatigue syndrome is also commonly referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME. The name chronic fatigue can be somewhat confusing since chronic or persistent fatigue is also a symptom of several conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Fatigue is the feeling of exhaustion that results from exertion, lack of sleep and illnesses. However, ordinary fatigue is not extreme or persistent, and the patient generally gets better after getting some rest.

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue happens when this sensation of extreme exhaustion and lack of energy persists for over six months. The exact cause of chronic fatigue is not known but it is believed that several factors play a role in its symptoms, such as stress, hormone levels and infection. Lack of sleep, insomnia and other sleep disturbances can also result to chronic fatigue. Other factors that contribute to the development of chronic fatigue are poor diet, lack of exercise and certain medications.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases or NIAMS for a patient to be diagnosed as suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, he must be having severe chronic fatigue for six months or longer. At the same time, the patient should also have four or more of the following symptoms:

Impaired short-term memory and concentration

Prolonged general malaise after physical exertion of any kind

Muscle pain

Pain, swelling and redness in multiple joints

Severe headache

Tender lymph nodes

Recurring sore throat

Un-refreshing sleep

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue

Diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome can be quite tricky since there are no physical signs that identify it. There are also no diagnostic laboratory tests that confirm chronic fatigue syndrome. A diagnosis of CFS is given if the symptoms recur for six consecutive months or more and there are no apparent explanations for the fatigue such as disease. However, it should be noted that there are other conditions that overlap and sometimes coexist with CFS and have similar symptoms.

A study of patients suffering from CFS revealed that only 38% of the patients were diagnosed solely with the syndrome. The rest had a diagnosis of a number of diseases such as fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity or both. Doctors are still unsure whether these conditions are direct causes or have common causes with CFS; or whether that have no relationship whatsoever with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treatment and Medication

There is still no known cure for CFS so treatments are aimed at relieving the symptoms and improving the body’s functions. To achieve this, doctors usually recommend a combination of medications and non-drug therapies. Lifestyle changes, dietary restrictions, nutritional supplements are also recommended as an addition to drug therapy. Patients who suffer from CFS are also urged to have regular exercise to help reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
However, the doctor should carefully supervise physical activity as this can exacerbate the symptoms of chronic fatigue.

It is important that the patient discuss his/her symptoms with the doctor. It is also important that doctors know what other medications the patient is taking since some medications can exaggerate the symptoms of CFS. Recovery rates from chronic fatigue syndrome are varied.

In a 2005 review of published studies on CFS, it was revealed that improvement rates varied from 8% to 63% with 40% of the patients improving during follow-up.

Eczema Treatment the Herbal Way Is It for You?

Eczema Treatment the Herbal Way Is It for You?

If you are suffering from eczema, an herbal eczema treatment is available for you. Herbal remedies are very appealing because they are a natural means of helping our body cope with many problems with little or no side effects. This is especially true when it comes to combating different kinds of illnesses; we often have to live with certain side effects brought about by the consumption of conventional forms of medications. Name anything you are afflicted with and chances are theres one herbal treatment right for it.

A person afflicted with eczema should always see to it that his or her immune system is maintained in top form. This will prevent the likelihood of appearance of flare ups, which is characterized by redness, itching and swelling. Ask anyone with eczema and he or she will tell you that itchiness is the worst of all the skin diseases symptoms. It can give you sleepless nights and an unsightly thickening of the affected skin due to scratching.

Herbal treatments for eczema come from different places all over the world. There are ones from India, China or even right at your very backyard. The best place to look for herbal treatments for eczema is by visiting your nearest local food and health products store.

Some of the most popular herbal remedies for eczema are the following:

*Milk thistle also good for treating other disorders related to a malfunctioning liver.

*Gotu Kola a plant from India often used as an additive to balms for dry, cracked skin.

*Pau Darco derived from the bark of the same tree which originates in South America; its often used to help boost the immune system of the body.

*Licorice its roots are effective for reducing swelling and other allergic reactions; also great for restoring the normal functioning of the liver, thus treating any condition associated with a damaged liver.

*Primrose its oils are popular among Europeans for many skin problems, including eczema.

Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) is a substance found out to do wonders on eczema. Sometimes called gamoleic acid, GLA is a form of a fatty acid found primarily in vegetable oils. However, there are a few herbs and herbal products that also contain GLA. Some of them include primrose oil, licorice root and chamomile. GLA is also often sold as a dietary supplement, recommended for those suffering from auto-immune diseases and inflammation.

Although such herbal treatments for eczema may be beneficial, one must not expect it to work instantly like magic. It may take a few applications before the initial results may become noticeable. You should consult a reliable herbalist or a naturopath one who prefers to use natural remedies such as foods and herbs than by means of synthetic drugs or surgery. He or she believes in the bodys inherent ability to heal, restore and maintain its health. A herbalist or naturopath will be able to help you out with picking a natural remedy for your eczema based on many factors, such as the severity of the condition, your skin type and lifestyle.

However, if you are currently on medications for your eczema, it is always best if you consult your doctor first before taking on a natural eczema treatment such as herbs. Although it is true that these herbal medications for eczema will produce no little or side effects, they might interfere with the medications you are currently taking; thus, potentially causing more harm than good.

Eczema Treatment Corticosteroids and the Side Effects

Theres really no known cure for eczema. An eczema treatment can only do as much as lessening the symptoms of the skin disease. What are these symptoms? Constant itching, redness, swelling, scaling and thickening of the affected skin areas are the most common. However, the symptoms experienced by vary from one person to the other, as well as where in the body eczema is found.

One of the best interventions done on someone with eczema is to prevent the development of symptoms by avoiding exposure to triggering factors. The mildest symptoms may of course be easily remedied by moisturizers and compresses, which are great for preventing skin dryness and itching. But once skin inflammation is already present, such remedies may become less effective in delivering the job.

The worst of eczema symptoms may be effectively managed by anti-inflammatory agents, such as steroid-based corticosteroids. Whether in prescription or nonprescription forms, corticosteroids are a widely used treatment for eczema. What are corticosteroids? They are related to a hormone naturally produced by the body, which is essential for the reduction of the bodys natural inflammatory response. Since the mid-1950, corticosteroids have been used for many inflammatory skin diseases, including eczema.

Different Forms of Corticosteroids

There are several forms in which corticosteroids are utilized for the treatment of eczema. They may be in topical forms, the kind of preparations applied onto the skin ointments, lotions, creams and foams. These kinds of corticosteroids preparations are often used for mild to moderate inflammation of the eczematous skin. For severe cases, doctors often prescribe oral and injected forms of corticosteroids. These forms are the last resort when the topical preparations fail to resolve the symptoms. They are not recommended for use by pregnant women afflicted with eczema. Studies have shown that certain birth defects such as cleft lip and cleft palate may be linked to the use of systemic corticosteroids during pregnancy.

Potential Side Effects of Corticosteroids

Many people suffering from eczema and their families are apprehensive about the use of corticosteroids because of the potential side effects associated with the treatment. However, such fear may be lessened by working with a highly competent doctor who have had prescribed the treatment before to other patients, and got satisfactory results.

Still, as with any other treatment that deals with medications, no matter how effective it is, side effects are a major concern. Researches revealed that the side effects are related to the dosage and potency of corticosteroids used. Also, the mode of administration topical, oral or systemic as well as the length of treatment, patients age, and the site of the eczematous skin all contribute to the gravity of the side effects. What are these side effects? They include:

Cataract May be the result of high dosages of corticosteroids and topical application around the eye area for a long time.

Glaucoma This results from topical application of corticosteroids near or around the eye area, as well as when administered systemically.
Nausea and vomiting Found to result from taking oral preparations of corticosteroids. Such effects may be curtailed by taking the medication with food.

Osteoporosis Loss of bone density, especially among female patients who are undergoing long-term treatment.

Skin effects May include the development of stretch marks, acne, rashes, infections, dilatation of blood vessels; often result from employment of topical corticosteroids.

The key to safe and effective eczema treatment such as the use of corticosteroids is by using them under the supervision of a doctor. It is important that the doctor keeps a watchful eye of the patients during the treatment.