Chronic fatigue syndrome is a subjective feeling of lack of strength that begins suddenly and lasts more than 6 months. Even after adequate sleep, patients do not feel restored. The methods of treatment depend on the cause, but most often they come down to simple symptomatic remedies.
Causes and prevalence of the syndrome
There are no exact data on the incidence of chronic fatigue syndrome in Russia. It is estimated that more than 1 million people in the United States suffer from a lack of strength in the winter. Differences in scores are based, inter alia, on different interpretations of the clinical picture. Women suffer more often than men.
It is believed that the interaction of various factors causes chronic fatigue syndrome. Infectious diseases and their pathogens have been identified in the past as the causes of the syndrome:
- Epstein-Barr virus (glandular fever);
- rubella virus;
- some herpes viruses;
- candidiasis;
- mycoplasma.
Other scientists consider immune system dysfunctions to be the cause of chronic fatigue. In addition to acute infection, mental stress also plays a role in the development of the disease.
Many patients report stressful life events - the death of a loved one or separation - before the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome.
A one-sided diet or nutritional deficiency is not the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome.
How to overcome fatigue?
Since the reasons are still unclear, the treatment is primarily aimed at relieving symptoms. Patients develop impaired concentration of attention and memory. Although meditation and relaxation reduce the feeling of fatigue, it can negatively affect the mood of patients.
Mexidol is the only approved drug that is prescribed to improve the well-being of patients with chronic fatigue.
In the Russian Federation, a drug is dispensed by prescription. Before use, you need to consult a doctor.
If the following symptoms occur, pain medications are prescribed:
- muscle and joint pain;
- headache
- skin hypersensitivity.
Acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, or paracetamol reduce pain. With muscle pain, alpha-lipoic acid or acetylcysteine have a positive effect. In the presence of pain symptoms similar to fibromyalgia, pregabalin is used as directed by a doctor.
Pain can also be treated without medication:
- physiotherapy;
- Massage
- heat treatment;
- hydrotherapy;
- relaxation methods;
- acupuncture.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - A non-mental illness or result of depression.
However, some patients develop concomitant mental disorders:
- phobic disorders;
- anxiety disorders
- depression.
Many patients also experience high levels of distress and anger due to limited working capacity. Although psychological help cannot cure the victims, it helps to cope with the disease. The question of which antidepressants should be taken should be decided by the doctor.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps correct unwanted patterns of thinking or behavior that cause fatigue. Some studies conclude that cognitive-behavioral therapy has a beneficial effect on the disease.
Other tests show that it has no effects or even causes an exacerbation.
Many patients with chronic fatigue syndrome no longer engage in sports activities. They hardly dare to engage in physical activity, fearing a further increase in their own fatigue.
Studies on physical activity have conflicting results. According to some scientific reviews, moderate or light physical activity helps patients stabilize.
Other studies conclude that moderate exercise exerts a deleterious effect on chronic fatigue.
Recent data show that the immune response to exercise in people with chronic fatigue is significantly different from that in healthy people.
