Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a pathological state of psychoemotional and physiological plan, caused primarily by exhaustion of the body. This disease is characterized by signs of constant physical and mental fatigue for no particular reason. Many people suffering from this disease are not even aware of the danger and serious consequences of such a condition.
The content of the article:
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome
Prognosis for chronic fatigue syndrome
Prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
The true prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome is quite difficult to identify, however, according to the research of experts, it was possible to determine that residents of megacities are more susceptible to it. Research results and medical statistics show that the development of CFS is directly related to the increased psycho-emotional and physical exertion of a modern person, the high exhausting pace of economically developed countries and large cities, and the unfavorable environmental situation.
The feeling of extreme fatigue is experienced periodically by all people, but in most cases everyone can determine the causes of their fatigue. After a long period of mental, mental and physical overstrain, the state of overwork can be considered normal and justified. Such situations happen when there are accidents at work, lack of sleep, exams, hard physical work, nervous stress. To get rid of it, a person just needs to sleep and rest.
With CFS, regular rest is not enough to restore the tone and energy of the body. With this pathology, the patient does not recover even after a long rest and sleep and continues to feel tired. A person cannot determine the causes of such a condition independently.
Experts have identified a direct link between CFS and a violation of the immune system, or rather a decrease in the number and functional abilities of immunoglobulins, lymphocytes due to an increase in endorphins and interferons. In this process, the body’s natural defenses are significantly reduced. Also, one of the factors provoking CFS is called a violation of the balance of the autonomic nervous system.
Other reasons for the development of chronic fatigue syndrome include the following factors:
prolonged physical fatigue, which provokes the processes of oxygen starvation of tissues and exhaustion;
diseases associated with respiratory insufficiency — anemia, atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, pathology of the respiratory system (asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema);
work in poorly ventilated and smoke-filled rooms;
regular sleep and nutrition disorders;
nervous exhaustion provoked by stress, severe psychological and emotional state, depression, anxiety, constant anxiety;
increased self-demands, perfectionism, excessive responsibility;
hormonal imbalance, in particular, in the pathologies of the thyroid gland and ovaries in women;
infectious viral diseases (herpes, Epstein-Barr virus, influenza, enteroviruses) and their consequences;
taking certain medications (contraceptives, antihistamines, medications for colds, high blood pressure, motion sickness, insomnia);
unfavorable ecology.
Chronic fatigue syndrome can be one of the first signs of a number of dangerous pathologies, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases, hyperthyroidism, myasthenia gravis.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
The main sign of the disease is permanent persistent fatigue, which cannot be eliminated even after prolonged rest and sleep. If such a condition is observed for a month or more, it is vital to find out the cause — to undergo a full examination.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, in addition to a constant feeling of fatigue and impotence , can manifest such physical and psychological disorders:
headaches and migraines;
low tone and muscle weakness;
decreased concentration and memory;
muscle pain for no apparent reason;
sleep disorders — intermittent sleep, insomnia;
enlargement of cervical, posterior and axillary lymph nodes;
swelling and joint pain;
constant slight increase in body temperature (subfebrile temperature);
cardiac arrhythmias and shortness of breath;
dryness of the mucous membranes;
swelling, aches and sore throat;
reduction of protective functions of the body;
chills and a feeling of constant cold;
disorders of the digestive tract, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome;
inability to cope with daily chores and worries;
symptoms of skin irritation and hair loss;
decreased sex drive;
low psychoemotional background with regular bouts of irritation, low self-esteem, a tendency to phobias and isolation.
In some cases, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have a violation of rapid speech, hearing loss, ringing in the ears. These symptoms can vary in various combinations with the constant manifestation of the main sign — a decline in strength and low body tone.
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
Since chronic fatigue syndrome still refers to pathologies with an etiology that has not been fully clarified, a large-scale examination of the patient is required to detect the disease. To establish the causes of the decline of strength , it is initially necessary to check a person for the presence of such pathologies as:
latent chronic infections and parasitic infestations;
diseases of the thyroid gland;
autoimmune diseases;
metabolic disorders (lack of essential nutrients in the body);
poisoning and intoxication with heavy metals, chemicals, industrial poisons;
medical myopathies.
Due to the fact that there are a lot of causes of exhaustion of the body, it is important to exclude all types of diseases of internal organs and functional systems. To do this, you will need to undergo a study for markers of viral hepatitis, virological examination (herpeviruses, chlamydia).
For an accurate diagnosis of CFS, consultations of narrow specialists will be required — an infectious disease specialist, a gastroenterologist, a neurologist, an immunologist, a rheumatologist, a cardiologist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, an endocrinologist. This approach is justified by the fact that chronic fatigue syndrome can be both an independent disease and one of the side signs of hidden internal diseases.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome
Signs of chronic fatigue caused by infectious factors and their consequences are eliminated with proper qualified treatment of the underlying disease itself and its possible complications. In the treatment of CFS, an integrated approach with the development of an individual program for each patient is necessary and extremely important. The composition of the treatment includes:
Auxiliary drug therapy. For the treatment of CFS, daytime tranquilizers, antihistamines, nootropics, enterosorbents are often used. The appointment of certain funds is made only after a thorough diagnosis and identification of the causes of the disease. For each patient, this is a purely individual process.
Unloading and dietary therapy. An effective method for restoring the normal functioning of all body systems. As clinical practice shows, changing the diet and creating a proper diet is one of the most effective ways to restore vitality.
Metabolic therapy. A method of drug treatment aimed at restoring the balance of vitamins necessary for the body (especially groups B and C), micro- and macroelements, natural metabolites (L-carnitine), capable of optimizing the composition of nutrients to relieve the effects of oxygen starvation of tissues.
Immune correction. Treatment includes taking medications with immunomodulatory and adaptogenic properties to restore the normal functioning of the body’s defense systems.
Physiotherapy and physical therapy. A wide range of activities that include physical therapy, breathing techniques, massage, water and physio-procedures. Their effect increases the tone of the body, strengthens the immune system, improves blood supply to tissues and has a beneficial effect on all human organs and systems.
Correction of the psychoemotional state. One of the key approaches for removing a person from a state of depression and normalizing the psychoemotional state of the patient. It includes many techniques — autogenic training, relaxing techniques, working with a psychotherapist.
Often, specialists noted the spontaneous recovery of patients from CFS with complete relief from pain and all signs of the disease after an improvement or change in the situation of everyday life. One of the main conditions for recovery is the normalization of physical, mental and emotional stress and rest regime.
Prognosis for chronic fatigue syndrome
Very often, chronic fatigue syndrome gradually progresses over the course of a year to several years, which significantly aggravates the psychoemotional and physical condition of patients, especially in the case of inadequate treatment. Chronic fatigue syndrome can only be conditionally attributed to dangerous pathologies, with timely and comprehensive treatment, it is possible to quickly get rid of painful symptoms and manifestations of permanent fatigue. However, it is extremely important for every patient who has faced this problem at least once to reconsider their lifestyle, sleep regime, physical and emotional rest, diet, pay attention to strengthening the immune and cardiovascular systems.
Even high-quality therapy and full recovery does not guarantee that CFS cannot happen again if a person does not draw the appropriate conclusions and does not change his life. In complex cases of the disease, in the absence of proper psychological and therapeutic assistance, CFS can significantly affect the human psyche. It is important to treat chronic fatigue syndrome without letting the process take its course. In some cases, people with severely neglected CFS showed signs of mild schizophrenia.
Prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome
The main condition for the prevention of the development and recurrence of chronic fatigue syndrome is an attentive attitude to any negative manifestations of the body at the physiological and emotional level. It is important to balance all types of loads and organize a healthy daily routine. The fundamental factors that will help to forget about the CFS forever are:
a full, balanced, healthy diet;
optimal physical activity, especially under the condition of a sedentary lifestyle;
periodic rest during the working day with distraction from the work process;
reducing the psychological stress factor;
emotional relief — trips to nature, trips to the cinema or theater;
regular walks and constant access to fresh air, deep breathing;
sufficient daily sleep.
The human body always gives signals that need to be paid attention to. To relieve accumulated fatigue, it is necessary to take short pauses every 1.5 hours of hard work and fully rest at night.Mrs. Yurievna
