Chronic fatigue syndrome
Surely the unpleasant feeling of extreme fatigue is quite familiar to most people. Often it is associated with serious physical or mental stress, but it goes away rather quickly during a good rest. It can be noted that today such a state often arises after emergency work, passing the session, as well as planting a vegetable garden or general cleaning in your own home. In these cases, almost anyone can easily determine at what moment he felt the signs of fatigue and what they are actually associated with.
Often, with chronic fatigue syndrome, many patients are not able to determine exactly when fatigue appeared and cannot clearly name the reason for being in such an unpleasant state.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes
The exact reasons for the development of the presented disease cannot be accurately characterized even by modern doctors, since to this day it is in the stage of in-depth study. In some cases, a serious infectious factor can play an important role. As a rule, many patients can be found to have herpes infection, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus or coxsackie viruses, as well as other dangerous diseases.
Experts suggest that chronic fatigue syndrome develops as a result of prolonged stimulation of human immune cells with infectious antigens. It is with the cytokines produced by humans in the fight against infection that a certain increase in body temperature, various muscle pains, chills and general malaise are associated.
In other cases, chronic fatigue syndrome is directly related to specific disturbances in the work of an important limbic system of the central nervous system. It has been proven that the emotional sphere, memory, working capacity, the correct daily rhythm of wakefulness and sleep, as well as the autonomic regulation of human internal organs are associated with it. In many patients with such a dangerous diagnosis, these functions are the first to suffer.
In the modern world, chronic fatigue syndrome can often occur at a fairly young age, both in ordinary men and in working women. It is noted that in the weaker sex this disease is diagnosed more often. It can be noted that responsible, active and successful people suffer from this disease, who take on an unreasonable burden. With constant overstrain, the human nervous system can malfunction and then a breakdown occurs.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
This serious illness usually begins with one of the many infectious diseases, often even the common cold. As a rule, after a typical acute period of infection for at least two weeks, fatigue, recurrent headaches, general weakness and depressive mood background can be observed. But with chronic fatigue syndrome, such symptoms may not go away even after long 3-5 months. And only in this case, the patient turns to certain doctors.
When a person is worried about a bad night's sleep, he usually goes to see a neurologist. When eczema appears, consult a dermatovenerologist. And with a general loosening of the chair - to a gastroenterologist. But if there is a chronic fatigue syndrome, then the prescribed treatment either does not give results, or there is a short-term improvement in the person's condition, since the true cause of the disease remains unattended.
The main symptoms of this syndrome can be noted constant fatigue, which does not go away at all even after a long sleep or a few days of rest. Often, many patients experience not only drowsiness, but also insomnia. Often with such an ailment, serious disruptions in performance and a holistic weakening of attention are observed. Patients have a hard time concentrating on a specific task. Changes are also noticeable in the emotional state. The doctor diagnoses depression, apathy, hypochondria, and severe phobias are noted.
In some cases, a noticeable decrease or significant increase in body temperature is characteristic for a sufficiently long period of time. Such violations of thermoregulation must be treated in a timely manner, otherwise they will entail serious complications. Many patients complain of an unreasonable decrease in body weight, up to 10 kg in one month. severe headaches, dizziness, photophobia, pharyngitis, dry eyes, soreness of the lymph nodes, tachycardia are also possible, and in women there is also an increase in premenstrual syndrome.
Diagnostics of the chronic fatigue syndrome
Modern diagnosis of the disease is usually carried out on the basis of certain criteria. Large criteria include prolonged fatigue for more than six months or periodically increasing fatigue, decreased daytime activity, and sleep problems after prolonged rest. And most importantly, there is an absence of somatic, infectious, psychiatric diseases, tumor processes and endocrine disorders.
Small criteria include pharyngitis, a moderate increase in a person's body temperature, but not more than 38 ° C, a noticeable increase in lymph nodes, as well as muscle pain, poor tolerance to any exercise, headaches and general muscle weakness. Further, we can mention joint aches, which is not accompanied by swelling, deterioration of attention and memory, apathy, depression and photophobia.
This dangerous chronic fatigue syndrome is usually confirmed if there are at least three major and six minor criteria. Then, during the diagnosis, the initial symptoms of a developing oncological, infectious, somatic, psychiatric or endocrine disease will be excluded. The patient should be thoroughly examined by doctors such as a general practitioner, endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist and neurologist. Do blood tests and examine the condition of all internal organs and systems.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
The very first step in the correct treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome is to reduce the underlying mental stress. It is necessary to reduce the total number of all tasks performed per day by approximately 20%. It is also advisable to get rid of such responsibilities, which always require strong mental stress. Certain psychotherapy sessions, as well as relaxing sessions and auto-training can be recommended for some patients.
Each patient should understand how serious the refusal to treat for chronic fatigue syndrome is. Modern rational psychotherapy is mainly aimed at the rapid normalization of the general psycho-emotional state of the patient. This is followed by training in methods of objective self-assessment, which makes it possible to realistically assess all arising overloads in order to control the amount of required rest for the body.
All subsequent sessions of psychotherapy ensure the development of specific abilities of the patient to effectively deal with stress and, if necessary, relieve any nervous tension in a short time. Also of no small importance is the exact observance of the correct regime of work and rest, the daily routine, the strict alternation of the phases of sleep and phases of wakefulness.
Almost all patients are prescribed specific healing procedures. These include being outdoors, hiking, contrast showers and moderate physical activity. In addition, a special complex of relaxing physical exercises must be included in the modern treatment program. In the future, the load can be increased if the patient's condition allows.
Positive emotions and walking are recommended for all patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Along with this, jogging or swimming can be prescribed, as well as simple breathing exercises and aromatherapy. In the treatment of this disease, modern drugs, mainly of herbal origin, are indicated. They not only increase the body's resistance to many stress factors, but also have a strengthening effect on the immune system.
Correct and at the same time healthy diet includes regular consumption of foods that are rich in trace elements and certain vitamins. Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids per day, but avoiding coffee, strong tea, and alcoholic beverages. Patients should refrain from frequent consumption of sugary foods so as not to provoke a rise in blood glucose levels, since a decrease in blood sugar is manifested by a feeling of fatigue.
Chronic fatigue syndrome does not threaten a person's life at all, therefore, with the necessary treatment, it always ends with recovery. This recovery of the body is characterized by increased mood, high efficiency and good sleep. However, some patients also experience recurrent illnesses after various infectious diseases or serious stressful situations.
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Prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome
Adequate physical activity, a healthy diet, a stable mental state, objective self-esteem and a clear daily routine will help to avoid the development of this dangerous syndrome of chronic fatigue. People need to do their best to avoid work in stressful conditions, and also not to overwork. When serious overloads cannot be avoided, you should set aside time for a good outdoor recreation for several days.
Emotional people may be advised to take short breaks from work every hour and a half. With mental work, it is useful to do physical education during breaks. In monotonous work, certain pauses are required in order to switch attention to something else. Remember that loud occupational noise can cause fatigue. Try to minimize the impact of this incredibly harmful factor as much as possible. A change of environment and new experiences will help you stay healthy and productive.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
