Chronic fatigue syndrome: causes, symptoms and treatment features

Chronic fatigue is an extremely common problem that is primarily faced by people of young and mature age. Constant drowsiness, a feeling of weakness, weakness, apathy, decreased working capacity - all this simply cannot but affect the emotional state of a person. Unfortunately, dealing with such a problem is sometimes difficult.

That is why many people are interested in any available information about chronic fatigue syndrome. Symptoms and treatment, causes and diagnostic measures are important information that is definitely worth exploring. So why do you get such problems? Is it possible to cope with pathology with the help of medications? Is it possible to treat chronic fatigue syndrome at home?

General Syndrome Information

Many people are interested in the causes, symptoms and treatment of chronic fatigue. But first, it’s worthwhile to deal with general information about a similar problem.

Today, such a pathology is very common. Chronic fatigue is spoken of if a person feels weak and broken all the time. Even prolonged sleep or rest does not help restore strength .

By the way, the first time a case of activation of the "virus" of chronic fatigue was recorded in 1984 by Dr. P. Cheney. In a small town located on the island of Tahoe, about 200 cases of this disease were recorded. However, research has revealed that the cause of the epidemic was Epstein-Barr virus.

Of course, sometimes the development of such a problem is associated with infection of the body by certain bacteria, viruses. However, in most cases, chronic fatigue has nothing to do with the activity of pathogenic microorganisms. According to statistics, this problem is most often encountered by residents of megacities aged 25 to 45 years. The development of chronic fatigue is most often associated with overstrain of the nervous system, constant stress, coupled with improper diet and lack of much needed rest.

By the way, symptoms of chronic fatigue in women are recorded much more often than in men. Approximately 75-80% of patients with a similar diagnosis are just the fair sex.

Causes of chronic fatigue in women and men

Of course, the first thing to do is deal with the question of why a similar problem appears. The causes of chronic fatigue and drowsiness can be different.

• Risk factors include various chronic diseases. The fact is that constant relapses weaken the body, disrupt the functioning of the nervous system, and reduce the activity of immunity. This, in turn, leads to a gradual depletion of the body - this is how constant chronic fatigue develops.
• Of course, the cause may be an incorrect lifestyle. Constant lack of sleep, lack of sunlight and fresh air, mental and physical strain, lack of rest - all this simply cannot but affect the state of the body.
• Depletion of vitality may be due to malnutrition. It should be understood that the use of low-quality and harmful products, a deficiency of vitamins and minerals in food consumed, affects metabolic processes. Risk factors include malnutrition (for example, if a person adheres to a strict diet for a long time), as well as the constant use of excess food.
• To the list of reasons, including psychological disorders. Chronic fatigue syndrome is often associated with depression, constant stress, nervous strain.
• Environmental factors that also directly affect the human body cannot be ignored. According to statistics, people who live in large cities with high noise levels and polluted air are more likely to experience chronic fatigue.
• As already mentioned, this condition can be a symptom of an infectious disease. Potentially dangerous include herpes viruses, as well as retroviruses, cytomegaloviruses, enteroviruses.
• Chronic fatigue can be the result of hormonal disorders that are associated with a malfunction of one or another of the endocrine glands.
• Risk factors include dysbiosis of the stomach and intestines. The fact is that without beneficial bacteria, the human body cannot normally digest and assimilate food, which leads to a deficiency of vitamins, nutrients and gradual depletion.

The main symptoms of pathology

Information on the symptoms and treatment of chronic fatigue in women and men is very interesting. Signs of illness, of course, can be different. However, all patients have some common symptoms:

• fatigue is present almost constantly (even after sleep), even a long rest does not bring a person relief;
• from time to time there is a suddenly appearing weakness, which is almost impossible to fight;
• Against the background of the above symptoms, working capacity decreases - it is difficult for a person to concentrate, concentrate.

Secondary symptoms of the disease

Before considering effective remedies for chronic fatigue, it is worthwhile to fully study all possible symptoms.

• Despite the constant feeling of fatigue, a person suffers from insomnia. Moreover, when it is still possible to fall asleep, sleep is often interrupted, remains superficial. Many people note that an inexplicable feeling of anxiety, fear, and anxiety intensifies at night.
• Against the background of an overstrain of the nervous system, headaches appear. Patients complain of intermittent pulsation in the temples.
• Of course, constant fatigue and insomnia negatively affects performance. It’s hard for a person to concentrate. The ability to analyze and remember information is reduced, a violation of creative activity is observed.
• Even simple tasks or physical exertion reinforce the feeling of fatigue and weakness. People gradually become more lethargic, often depressed. In addition, the symptoms of this syndrome include frequent mood swings. An inexplicable feeling of anxiety, causeless fear, gloomy thoughts periodically appears. Patients become quick-tempered, overly irritable.
• There is also a violation of motor activity. Muscle weakness, hand tremors appear. Gradually, a person’s condition worsens. Patients complain of constant pain in the body (it is especially acute in joints and large muscles).
• Chronic fatigue syndrome often affects the functioning of the immune system. People with a similar diagnosis are more susceptible to various infections, including colds. If chronic pathologies occur, then cases of their exacerbation are becoming more frequent.

The presence of such symptoms is an occasion to consult a doctor. Do not ignore violations and blame everything on the usual malaise. The lack of therapy in this case can lead to serious consequences, in particular severe hormonal disorders, clinical forms of depression, damage to various organ systems.

Diagnostic measures

Symptoms and treatment of chronic fatigue can be different, because here it all depends on the causes of the syndrome. That is why correctly carried out diagnostics is so important. Only a specialist knows how to treat chronic fatigue correctly.

• Of course, the diagnostic process includes several basic steps, so you should consult a therapist. First of all, the doctor collects information about the symptoms, examines the medical data. It is also recommended to take blood and urine tests that help determine the presence of an inflammatory process. In addition, you need to check the level of sugar, hemoglobin.
• Also, the patient should visit an endocrinologist and take tests to determine the level of certain hormones. Often, fatigue is the result of endocrine diseases.
• It is also recommended to visit a neurologist.
• A consultation with a psychologist is necessarily included in the diagnostic scheme, because sometimes the symptoms of the disease appear against the background of severe stress, nervous strain, etc.

How to treat chronic fatigue syndrome with medication?

Of course, you should not ignore such a problem. How to treat chronic fatigue? The choice of drugs directly depends on the causes of the syndrome.

• If hormonal disorders occur, then hormone therapy is necessary.
• If there is reason to believe that fatigue and drowsiness is associated with the vital activity of certain viruses, then special antiviral drugs are prescribed to the patient.
• Sometimes it is necessary to take immunomodulators - such drugs help strengthen the immune system, increase the body's resistance to infections. Therapy is carried out if the patient often suffers from colds and other diseases.
• Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can eliminate headaches and muscle pain. Of course, taking tablets is advisable if the pain syndrome is pronounced.
• Sometimes it is necessary to take psychotropic drugs, in particular nootropic drugs and antidepressants. Properly selected medications help activate the immune system, cope with anxiety and fear.
• If severe forms of insomnia occur, mild sedative medications (tincture of valerian root or motherwort) and sleeping pills can be introduced into the treatment regimen.

Of course, it’s not worth it to use the above-mentioned drugs on your own - the doctor will not only select really effective medicines, but also determine the correct dosage, schedule of admission.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Many people are interested in how to deal with chronic fatigue. Of course, drug therapy helps to cope with many symptoms. But doctors recommend combining medication with some physiotherapeutic procedures - this helps speed up the recovery process.

• A soothing massage will be effective. Regular sessions help relax muscles, relieve pain, improve blood flow.
• Alternatively, a specialist may suggest acupuncture. The procedure involves the impact on certain points and the activation of certain organ systems. This procedure helps to relax, eliminates muscle pain, and soothes the nervous system.
• If you are interested in the question of how to deal with chronic fatigue, then you should pay attention to physiotherapy exercises. Regular exercises will help improve blood circulation and body endurance, activate metabolism, relieve muscle tension.
• Magnetotherapy has relaxing and analgesic properties. In addition, the technique has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune system and endocrine organs.
• Hydrotherapy, in particular hydromassage, helps to cope with muscle discomfort, relax, calm down and relieve tension.

Of course, the treatment regimen is a doctor. By the way, many experts recommend periodically undergoing spa treatment, which allows not only to cope with physical discomfort, but also to change the environment, have a good rest, and regain strength before returning to everyday life.

How to change a lifestyle to eliminate the syndrome?

You already know how to deal with chronic fatigue with medication. Of course, drugs help relieve symptoms of the disease, activate the nervous system. Nevertheless, treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome at home must necessarily include some changes in your usual lifestyle.

• To begin with, it’s worth making the right daily routine. It is necessary to alternate work and rest, avoid excessive loads (both physical and mental). Daily walks in the fresh air will positively affect the patient's condition.
• Extremely important is a full quality sleep. Remember that an average person needs eight hours of sleep per day. Try to fall asleep and wake up at the same time. Before going to bed, it is recommended to ventilate the room. Do not rest in front of the TV, as this affects the quality of sleep.
• How to overcome chronic fatigue? You must definitely review your diet. Food should not be too heavy, quickly digested and absorbed. It is necessary to include fresh fruits and vegetables, yogurts, kefir, boiled meat and fish, cereals in the diet.
• Periodically, you need to take special medications, which contain all the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body.
• Do not refuse the help of an experienced psychologist. Experienced specialists will help to cope with a sense of anxiety and fear, overcome complexes, regain self-confidence, and adjust the regime of the day. Such consultations are required for any form of depression.

This is what the treatment of chronic fatigue at home looks like. Compliance with even such simple recommendations will help significantly improve both physical and emotional well-being.

Effective recipes for traditional medicine

How to cope with a problem such as chronic fatigue? What to do if you constantly feel sleepy? How to cope with apathy and a breakdown? Traditional medicine offers its own means to restore energy reserves.

• Milk with chamomile is considered effective. In a glass of fresh milk you need to add a teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers (raw materials are sold in almost every pharmacy). The mixture must be brought to a boil, after which it is kept on low heat for another twenty minutes. Next, you need to strain the broth and drink it warm, sweetening with a spoon of honey. The medicine is best taken 30-40 minutes before going to bed. It is believed that such a tool will help to relax and fall asleep.
• But if you need to restore energy reserves and give the body a boost of vigor, then you can prepare a nut-honey mixture. A glass of peeled walnuts needs to be crushed. One fresh lemon with a peel is also passed through a meat grinder (first it needs to be washed and rinsed in boiled water). Add a glass of natural honey to the mixture and mix all the ingredients well. The resulting product should be kept in a glass container, preferably in a dark, cool place. Take the medicine for a tablespoon three times a day.
• You can activate the immune system and stimulate the activity of the nervous system using a special decoction. To prepare it, you need to pour two tablespoons of pine needles into 300 ml of water. The mixture must be brought to a boil, then cook the broth for 20 minutes over low heat. After the liquid has cooled, it must be filtered. Three tablespoons of honey are added to the mixture (you need to take only a natural product). Herbalists recommend taking a teaspoon of the broth half an hour before meals three times a day.
• Oatmeal will help restore strength. A glass of ordinary oat grains needs to be washed, then put in a pan and pour a liter of water (cold). Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and cook until jelly forms from the liquid. The broth must constantly be stirred. The medicine can then be removed, slightly cooled and filtered. It is recommended to add two tablespoons of honey to the mixture. You need to take jelly before meals 100 ml twice a day.
• St. John's wort will help relieve pain, fatigue and drowsiness. It’s easy to cook - you only need a tablespoon of grass to pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew. The resulting mixture is then filtered, divided into three portions and taken throughout the day.
• A honey drink will help cope with chronic fatigue. It is simple to prepare: in a liter of boiled water you need to dissolve a teaspoon of honey, add a small spoon of natural apple cider vinegar and a few drops of iodine. This energy drink is best taken after a meal. The daily dose is one glass.

Preventive actions

You already know about the symptoms and treatment of chronic fatigue in women and men. Nevertheless, therapy sometimes lasts for many months.Getting rid of the problem is actually very difficult. That is why doctors recommend adhering to some simple rules.

• Pay attention to the planning of the day, the mode of work and rest. Every person needs a daily full sleep. Do not forget that you need to take breaks in your work. Experts recommend daily walks in the fresh air.
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