Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts
Causes, Treatment and Ways to Alleviate the Symptoms of CFS
CFS, also known as M.E. is very challenging for the sufferer as well as friends and family. Learn more about the illness and discover 5 practical ways to help.
Whilst the causes of CFS or M.E. continue to be a matter for discussion by the experts, there are several ideas about what does and does not work to alleviate the various symptoms. Not all people with CFS will have the same symptoms, but they will all experience the debilitating exhaustion, and they will all need care and support.
The Facts:
- It is not incurable although it feels like it at the time. Many people have made excellent recoveries. People find what works for them. People are different. For some people, a gentle massage each week helps them to cope. For others, counselling, herbs, low dose anti-depressants or colonic irrigation is the key. Natural remedies can also help with some symptoms.
- It is not caused by a virus, although a virus could be implicated. They still don’t know what causes it. CFS is experienced in different ways and the symptoms can vary from person to person. It seems that the immune system is affected and some people are more prone to infections, sore throats, muscle pain and stomach complaints.
- It cannot be cured by diet, although this could help Many people with CFS develop food intolerances and allergies. They find that some foods produce a bad reaction such as severe headaches or Candida. Often people improve by cutting out wheat, dairy products, caffeine drinks, fruit or sugar. Generally, refined foods overload an already stressed immune system, so easily digested, fresh food is best.
- Hot and cold showers and exercise are not the answer, although they might stimulate the circulation and this in turn will give the immune system a friendly boost.The best exercise for people with CFS is gentle walking or yoga. Swimming is good if the water is not too cold. Short duration and with enjoyment are the important words here! Meditation helps with relaxation, as does creative visualisation and soothing music. Sometimes just having information about the illness can help too.
- CFS is not all in the head. Or is it? So much of the anxiety, constant body checking for symptoms, fear of repeated relapses and general apprehension about not coping is a result of the mind worrying too much. A huge amount of energy is used up in the process, causing even greater exhaustion and stress. Techniques such as Neuro Linguistic Process (NLP) have been useful for some people.
- A good night's sleep would be a dream come true People with CFS are often unable to experience any sort of restorative sleep. The nervous system is so stressed that although the desire for sleep can be overwhelming, the body wakes after a couple of hours. Sleep is severely disrupted with no recognisable patterns. It is not uncommon to wake feeling exhausted, emotionally drained and desperate. A warm bath, lavender oil on the pillow, a herbal remedy such as valerian, or prescribed medication could help a good night's sleep.
5 Practical Ways that Family and Friends Can Help
- The obvious but overlooked question : ask what the person would like you to do.
- Make fresh vegetable soup to boost the immune system, offer to do some housework, or wash the dishes.
- Drive the person wih CFS to somewhere beautiful where they can simply enjoy being in nature. This helps create a flow of endorphins which yet again improve the immune system.
- Be accepting of the person and what they are going through. Don’t offer advice. People with CFS have heard it all before and it doesn’t help. Don’t judge their symptoms by your experience. Ordinary people cannot begin to understand the level of exhaustion or pain, no matter how tired they have been in the past.
- Don’t subject the person with CFS to long phone calls, or emails, bright light or loud noise, or any other activity that can be stressful or tiring.
References:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Comprehensive Guide to Symptoms, Treatments, and Solving the Practical Problems of CFS ( Gregg Charles Fisher, Paul R. Cheney, Nelson M. Gantz Publisher: Warner Books Aug 1997)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment: A Treatment Guide (Quality Medical Home Health Library) (Erica F. Verrillo and Lauren M. Gellman Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin February 1998)
The copyright of the article Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts in Chronic Illness Treatments is owned by Elaine Walker. Permission to republish Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Facts must be granted by the author in writing.
