In the modern world there are many such diseases that our ancestors could not even imagine. This is due to the quality of the products on our table, to the air pollution that we all breathe, to the crazy rhythm in which we live. At the end of the twentieth century, the list of human diseases added to another ailment called chronic fatigue syndrome. Symptoms of the disease are not well understood. Therefore, many people who show signs of increased fatigue are mistaken for simulators.
Due to the "youth" of the syndrome, because officially it is no more than ten years old, scientists can not yet accurately determine the causes of its occurrence. This issue is currently under study. There is even an opinion that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) causes a certain virus, the activation of which just contributes to the way we live in our age of inexorable technological progress and new technologies.
What do we know about CFS
Statistics on the occurrence and development of this state of man is only a couple of decades. During this time, scientists have determined that signs of chronic fatigue syndrome are more often manifested in residents of megalopolises than in those who permanently reside in small towns and villages. This is due to the fact that in small towns there is a special atmosphere in which there is no rush, fuss, or high emotional stress.
Two categories of people prevail among patients with CFS: mental workers, especially those who have irregular schedules, and employees whose activities are associated with high responsibility. This includes:
- Doctors of some narrow specialties, for example, surgeons, hospice workers, traumatologists.
- Teachers.
- Office workers.
- Businessmen.
- Pilots.
- Air traffic controllers.
- Rescuers.
- All people with two, and sometimes three, jobs.
Well, among these patients there are much more women than men. The explanation for this can be said to be banal: our beautiful ladies set the same high standards for themselves as strong, courageous men, without making a discount on the physiological characteristics of the female body and the fact that almost every lady has a family, which also requires a return of strength and energy. In many families, especially where husbands remove themselves from homework, women, as they say, “fall on their feet” from high fatigue, because they have to bear the burden of work, take care of the children and keep the house in order.
Regarding the age of CFS, it is more often diagnosed in young people and middle-aged people (up to 45 years old), just when many of us make every effort to create our well-being, strive for career growth, master new professions, raise young children, equip our life.
You are mistaken if you think that the CFS is nonsense, that you just need to have a good rest, for example, drop everything for a week and go somewhere to the resort, and everything immediately falls into place. Scientists have recognized chronic fatigue syndrome as a disease. So she needs to be treated. Rest is only part of complex therapeutic measures. What is dangerous CFS? How is he diagnosed? How is his treatment going? How to distinguish a simulator from a really sick person? What is fraught with CFS? Let's get it right.
A small historical background
Officially, the "biography" of the CFS began in 1984 in the small American town of Incline Village. Then the local doctor Paul Cheney registered about 200 cases of an incomprehensible disease. Patients complained of high fatigue, depression, muscle weakness. All of these people had some type of herpes virus in their blood. Similar cases were recorded earlier, but they were not given wide publicity.
In 2009, U.S. scientists hypothesized that symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome cause a hitherto unknown virus. The experiments were carried out on mice that were easily infected with them. Later, additional studies were carried out, showing that there was no CFS virus, because it was not found in any person with similar symptoms.
Several years of scientific research have passed. In 2016, a group of British scientists presented the results of their work to the world community, proving that the CFS virus exists. It was found that it is present in the body of people in a latent state. It is activated by many reasons, the main of which is a decrease in immunity. Scientists claimed that the CFS virus most infects adolescents. After penetration into the human body, it remains in it forever.
Nevertheless, to date, the pathology and etiogenesis of the disease remain unknown. Yes, there is a theory that viruses can provoke chronic fatigue syndrome - it is often diagnosed in patients with early detected herpes, cytomegalovirus, enterovirus. But this is just a theory, so when identifying these and similar pathologies, you should not tune in to the indispensable development of chronic fatigue syndrome.
General characteristics of CFS
At the moment, it is believed that although CFS is a pathology that is quite similar in its clinic and nature to immune disorders, there are still no sufficient grounds for distinguishing it as an independent nosological form . For this reason, chronic fatigue syndrome in the ICD-10 is currently not. But the disease is sometimes assigned the codes R50 “Fever of unknown origin” and R53 “Discomfort and fatigue”, which depends on the symptoms. Other names that can be found in diagnoses are immune dysfunction and post-viral asthenia syndrome.
As for the reasons for the emergence of CFS, scientists, as mentioned above, still can not come to a consensus. Numerous data indicate that in CFS both quantitative and functional immunological disorders are observed. In addition, as you know, in the development of the body's response to stressful situations, especially if the effect is intense and prolonged, the leading role belongs to the nervous, immune and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems, the stable functioning of which determines the resistance of the organism as a whole to psychoemotional overloads and action various environmental factors. For this reason, according to scientists, the disruption of the interaction between the nervous, immune and endocrine systems and plays a crucial role in the development of CFS.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can clearly manifest themselves after a person is subjected to psychological trauma, serious surgery, some viral and bacterial diseases, prolonged in terms of physical and / or emotional stress. After some time, all the symptoms of CFS can significantly weaken, but under repeated circumstances that cause stress and disrupt the functioning of the body systems, again manifest with the same strength. Very rarely, but there are times when the patient is completely cured of CFS.
Now on the planet a lot of people suffer from this syndrome. In the USA, 10 cases per 100,000 people are recorded, in Australia - 37 cases per 100,000. In the UK, 2% of adolescents have this disease. In Russia, such statistics have not yet been carried out.
Etiology
As already mentioned, it is not known for certain why the CFS arises. Only spheres of human activity and several options for the development of events that can serve as its “trigger” have been identified:
- Intoxication.
- Endocrine.
- Infectious.
Let's consider them in more detail.
The first option for the development of CFS involves the impact on the individual of the factors of the environment in which he lives. It can be:
- Constant noise occurring in large cities.
- Oxygen starvation caused by smoke, gas contamination in large cities and industrial centers.
- Chlorinated water used for drinking, cooking, bathing.
- Modified and / or nitrate-saturated foods.
The endocrine variant implies hormonal disorders that can be triggered by many reasons:
- Climax
- Critical days.
- Pregnancy.
- Hormonal drugs.
- Diseases of the thyroid gland, hypothalamus, liver, pituitary, adrenal glands.
- Hypoxia caused by various reasons. Oxygen starvation leads to irreversible consequences in the central nervous system, liver, and other organs, which leads to malfunctions in their work.
An infectious variant involves infection with certain viruses that settle in the human body for a long time (or forever). These include:
- Cytamegalovirus.
- Hepatitis C.
- Herpes virus group (Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, varicella-zoster).
- Coxsackie virus.
- Enteroviruses.
CFS can also begin to manifest after influenza, acute respiratory viral infections, and other viral and bacterial diseases.
Other factors affecting the development of the syndrome
In addition to the above reasons, the following factors can give impetus to the development of CFS:
- Psychological stress.
- Alcoholism.
- Too busy schedule.
- Night shifts (not all people can adapt to this lifestyle).
- Constant high emotional and psychological stress.
- Severe living conditions.
- Lack of vitamins. The first “swallow” of poor-quality food is not only pain in the stomach, but also constant weakness. Leanness, as such, is not a sign of poor nutrition. A person can be obese, there are many. However, its daily menu is unbalanced, rich in carbohydrates and poor in vitamins.
- Depression
- Numerous conflict situations (at work, with neighbors, in the family).
- The race to increase revenue in any way, the desire to quickly climb the corporate ladder.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (this was determined by researchers from Columbia University).
- Decreased blood L-carnitine.
- Impaired metabolism in cells.
Pathogenesis
Since the disease in question is caused by a virus, it requires specific treatment. Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by striking the immune system. As a result, the quantitative value of LgG antibodies decreases. The number of other antibodies and the number of killer cells are also reduced or their activity is weakened.
Approximately 1/5 of sufferers of CFS during a blood test revealed leukocytosis and lymphocytosis or leukopenia and lymphopenia. These essentially opposite phenomena indicate immune dysfunction. The same blood test reveals in patients with CFS a decrease or increase in the level of immunoglobulins (both in 30% of cases), a decrease in the level of immune complexes (50%), or a decrease in compliment activity (25%). Recall that the last term refers to specific proteins that provide humoral protection against pathogenic agents that enter the body.
All this makes a person unarmed in front of thousands of microbes present in the environment. As a result, sufferers of CFS have an increased risk of catching any infection.
Signs of the disease
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are unusually diverse, which is associated, firstly, with the individual characteristics of people, and secondly, with the fact that the disease is still at the initial stage of study. The following phenomena and conditions should alert and cause a desire to conduct an examination:
- In the morning after sleep, the feeling that the body has not rested at all.
- Regular headaches.
- Insomnia, despite the late hour and fatigue.
- Allergic reactions.
- Apathy, weakness, a state when nothing is interested.
- Muscle pain.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Weakness and drowsiness experienced constantly. Some patients note that during the day there are situations when the body turns off involuntarily, as if a person falls into darkness for several minutes, and when he wakes up, he cannot understand how this could happen.
A cause of alarm should also be that you suddenly started to get sick often. Previously, this did not happen, but now it’s worth being in a draft or getting wet in the rain, and acute respiratory infections begin, the temperature rises, it tickles in the throat, and appetite disappears.
Symptoms of a mental disorder and central nervous system
Experienced during CFS almost all the time weakness and drowsiness, significantly affect a person's performance. Many complain that they can not concentrate on something important, clearly and quickly answer questions regarding a well-known topic. Some people say that they cannot quickly read complex words (for this they need to make a mental effort). It is also noted that in patients with CFS, memory (visual, sound) is deteriorating.
From the side of psychological changes are observed:
- Depression
- Anxiety and fears.
- Anger, irritability for no reason (everyone is annoying - passers-by, family members, the noise of passing cars, clicking a spoon on a glass while stirring sugar, dripping water and so on).
- Bad mood, even when everything is fine.
- Obsessive pessimistic thoughts about their uselessness, the futility of the efforts made.
- Nightly fears, anxiety, far-fetched dangers (for example, fear that criminals will break the castle and burst into the house).
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
Determining that a person has CFS is very difficult. All symptoms listed above are taken into account. They are divided into two groups: large criteria and small. The second includes:
- Temperature rise.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Tremor and muscle pain, constant weakness.
- Joint aches.
- Headaches.
To the first - all other symptoms.
If a patient has several large and small criteria at the same time, there is a high probability that he will be diagnosed with CFS. However, first the doctor will direct the patient to a full examination to exclude classic somatic diseases.
Having determined the diagnosis, the doctor sends the patient for a consultation with narrow specialists - a psychotherapist, neuropathologist, oncologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, infectious disease specialist. Also, the patient is invited to give urine, blood from a finger and from a vein, and other biomaterials.
Now on the Internet there are many tests for chronic fatigue syndrome. They are free, they consist of many questions that need to be answered with the utmost honesty. A positive test result is an occasion to consult a doctor.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
Therapy of this ailment is carried out comprehensively. It is divided into two types - non-drug and drug.
The first includes such events:
- Normalization of the day.
- Diet.
- Massage.
- Hydro therapeutic procedures.
- Physiotherapy.
- Psychotherapy.
- Unconventional methods (manual therapy, acupuncture, autogenic training).
- Change of lifestyle (if possible).
- Organization of outdoor activities.
Drug treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome is primarily aimed at restoring immunity. For this purpose, drugs of choice are prescribed:
- Gepon.
- "Timogen."
- "Imunofan."
- Timalin.
- Taktivin.
These agents increase the activity of T cells. To restore the activity of NK-cells, drugs of choice:
- Immunomax.
- "Polyoxidonium."
- "Lycopid."
To restore the immune system, Viferon, Myelopid can be prescribed.
Vitamins play an important role in the restoration of strength. With chronic fatigue syndrome, any complexes that include basic vitamins and macro and micronutrients are suitable.
Also, with CFS, drugs are prescribed that have an effect on the central nervous system:
- Antidepressants.
- Antibiotics.
- Antiviral.
- Antifungal (as indicated).
- Antihistamines.
- Enterosorbents.
- Tranquilizers.
According to indications, “Isoprinazine”, “Zadaxin”, “Galavit” or their analogues can be prescribed if the immunodeficiency has a lymphocytic form.
An important role in the treatment of CFS is played by diet. It is not designed to correct weight, but to normalize metabolic processes. However, she helps to lose those extra pounds, because her menu is only useful for the body products. Nutritionists advise people with CFS to include in their diet:
- Rabbit meat, veal.
- Fish (sea, river).
- Seafood, seaweed.
- Vegetables (especially broccoli, celery, onions).
- Greens (parsley, spinach, leek).
- Fruits and berries (bananas, pomegranate, lemon, feijoa, berry fruit are very useful).
- Dark chocolate.
- Nuts.
- Honey.
It is advisable to give up coffee, smoking, large doses of alcohol.
Folk methods
The healers in their arsenal have many recipes to relieve fatigue and normalize the central nervous system (if this is not associated with serious brain diseases).
A relaxing bath with essential oils may be ideal. This method of treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome has the most favorable reviews. Water should be at a temperature that is pleasant to your body. Plants, essential oils that can be used:
- Ylang Ylang.
- Geranium.
- Lavender.
- Orange.
- Incense.
- Bergamot.
- Mint.
- Rose flower.
- Marjoram.
Herbal teas are recognized as an excellent relaxing remedy. Choose the proportions for their preparation yourself, because one will suit a more saturated taste and aroma, while the other is only slightly perceptible. Teas are made from thyme, tea rose petals, chamomile, valerian, mint, lemon balm, clover, wild strawberry, blackcurrant (leaf and / or berries), Ivan tea. You can take plants one at a time or make up different variations of fees. Such drinks acquire a very good effect if honey is added to them.
Another recipe involves the use of ginger. This plant is famous for many beneficial properties. Among them - increased immunity and a positive effect on the psycho-emotional background. From ginger you can make tea and alcohol tincture.
In the first case, a small piece of the root should be cut into small pieces, pour boiling water and allow to cool to an acceptable temperature. Add a slice of lemon and a little honey to the drink.
For tincture, you need to grind 200 g of root (you can grater), pour 1 liter of vodka and insist for a week. Take a spoon several times a day. The tool can not be filtered, but preferably stored in the refrigerator.
Prevention
The question of how to cope with chronic fatigue syndrome arises after the disease has begun. It is advisable to know how to prevent it, so that you do not need to deal with treatment.
The tips are so elementary that not all people pay attention to them, so they do not want to follow them. But let's not forget the famous expression “Everything ingenious is simple!” Prevention of chronic fatigue syndrome is as follows:
- Do not get involved in weight loss diets. There are no perfect ones among them. Each such diet has consequences that adversely affect health.
- Even if you only love meat, add fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Do not give up vitamin complexes.
- Do not neglect physical activity. If you don’t have time to visit the pool or fitness room, make it a rule to take walks every day. They are especially useful after work.
- Take time to travel out of town. A day spent in nature is considered an ideal healing method for both the body and the soul.
- Even if a career is the main goal of life for you, remember that there are other values in the world. Paying attention only to labor achievements, you jeopardize your own health. This may ultimately prevent you from achieving what you want.
If you began to notice the symptoms indicated in this article, try to rest for a few days from all worries. If after this the condition has not improved, consult a doctor.