When Rest Can't Fix Your Fatigue

What if you get plenty of rest every night, butfactors, which includes depression, iron deficiency
still feel exhausted during the day? This may be aanemia, a history of allergies, hormonal changes in
sign of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, a mysteriousthe glands and chronic low blood pressure.
illness that causes a lot of commonHope Through Treatment
misconceptions. For instance, patients sometimesThere are many natural treatments to consider
think they can't possibly have CFS because theywhen working with your doctor to manage CFS.
were never depressed. Though depression can beBesides treating any accompanying conditions
one of the risk factors for CFS, it is not the onlysuch as allergies, anemia or depression, your
cause.doctor will help you learn to build exercise and
For many people diagnosed with CFS, an exactactivity into your life. Researchers have found
cause may never be determined. Though theoriesthat gradual exercise programs (activities that
about CFS are abound among my colleagues ingradually get harder over time) have been
the medical community, the truth is that theresuccessful. Also taking it easy on days when your
are still many unknowns associated with thisenergy levels are high may lessen the frequency
chronic illness. Learning more about CFS makes itof low-energy days. In addition, research is being
easier to seek treatment and plan a strategy fordone on D-Ribose, a sugar used as an energy
managing the disease.source for cells. Supplements of D-Ribose may
A Frustrating Diagnosishelp fight CFS.
CFS is extreme fatigue that doesn't improve withHigh stress will almost certainly exacerbate
sleep and may get worse after physical activity.symptoms of CFS, so stress management and
Whereas moderate and even strenuous exercisefinding time to relax are crucial. Alternative
is energizing to healthy people, CFS sufferers cantreatments like touch therapy, chiropractic,
find their symptoms aggravated by everydayacupuncture and hypnosis are great stress
activities like running errands.relievers that may also reduce the intensity of
Onset of CFS is most likely to come in your 40sCFS symptoms. Cognitive behavior therapy has
or 50s, though it can strike at any age. Womenbeen used to treat CFS patients successfully by
are more likely to be diagnosed than men, butteaching them to develop a more positive outlook.
many doctors believe the reason is that womenNatural herbal medicine is another avenue of
are simply more willing to seek treatment.treatment, which many CFS patients opt to
Tiredness is not the only sign of CFS. Besidesexplore. Some natural remedies include borage
extreme fatigue that can come and go atseed oil, bromelain, comfrey, echinacea, ginkgo
random, symptoms include trouble sleeping, jointbiloba, ginseng and shiitake mushroom extract. If
pain, soreness in the lymph nodes, muscle aches,you are taking any kind of medication, it is
memory loss and headaches that feel differentimportant to ask your doctor about unfavorable
than any you may have experienced in the past.side effects that may be caused by herbs and
The symptoms can persist for years andsupplements.
sometimes disappear for no apparent reason.It can be difficult to navigate your way through all
While no one cause has been verified, researchersthe uncharted territory associated with CFS. My
are working on several theories. It is possible thatmost important advice to my patients is to stay
if you have a dysfunctional immune system thatpositive and cultivate a network of supportive
comes up against a viral illness, CFS may befriends and family members to help during difficult
triggered. Inflammation of the pathways of thetimes. With all the sophisticated research into CFS,
nervous system is another possible explanation.I feel confident that promising treatments are
Scientists have also developed a list of riskjust over the horizon.