| Could improving your sleep lessen the | | | | are medical practitioners who still believe |
| symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | it to be a disease of "malingerers". In fact |
| (CFS)?Our aim here is to understand the | | | | some of those suffering with CFS often wonder |
| connection between the two as it may be | | | | sometimes if they are imagining their |
| possible to confuse the symptoms of CFS and | | | | symptoms. But CFS is very real and can lead |
| sleep deprivation. There are however definite | | | | to broken marriages and wrecked careers.It is |
| differences.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | very important for those who suspect they |
| SymptomsThe main symptom of CFS and probably | | | | have CFS to seek medical attention straight |
| the hardest to live with, is constant and | | | | away. If you feel your doctor is not taking |
| persistent fatigue lasting 6 months or more. | | | | you seriously, get a second and even a third |
| Others include:Feeling feverish | | | | opinion. It helps if you have been seeing the |
| | | | same doctor for some time, as they know you |
| Sore throat | | | | and can recognize that you are not a |
| | | | "hypochondriac" or a time waster looking for |
| Muscle aches and pains | | | | sympathy.CFS is certainly not new, although |
| | | | the association of symptoms under the name |
| Tender or swollen lymph nodes | | | | Chronic Fatigue Syndrome only took place in |
| | | | the 1990s. Previously it was largely |
| Joint pain | | | | overlooked or thought to be something else, |
| | | | for example low blood sugar, Lyme disease, |
| More headaches than usual | | | | allergies, fybromyalgia, yeast infections |
| | | | etc.Chronic Fatigue Syndrome TreatmentThese |
| Abnormal lethargy after exercise | | | | vary from antidepressants, steroids, immune |
| | | | system medications and anti-histamines to the |
| Poor concentration | | | | more holistic treatments like evening |
| | | | primrose oil, diet therapy, cognitive |
| Depression | | | | behavioural therapy, removal of dental |
| | | | fillings (mercury poisoning) and gentle |
| Poor quality sleepAlthough not everyone who | | | | exercise programs.Although lack of a definite |
| suffers with CFS will display all of the | | | | treatment for CFS leaves a lot to be desired, |
| above, two or more of these symptoms would | | | | the above treatments, whether all or a |
| definitely bear further investigation. By | | | | combination, can prove fairly effective. The |
| contrast, sleep deprived people would not | | | | broad answer seems to be to treat the |
| usually experience swollen lymph nodes, joint | | | | symptoms as they occur and make the effort to |
| pain, feverishness or sore throat.CFS often | | | | improve quality of sleep.The quality of sleep |
| follows a bout of flu or other respiratory | | | | of patients must have a direct effect on the |
| disease. It's onset can be quite sudden | | | | severity of the disease. If depression is the |
| following recovery of the initial disease. It | | | | main problem, treatment of that can |
| occurs more frequently in middle age and | | | | significantly improve the quality of sleep, |
| elderly people, and twice as often in women | | | | thus relieving somewhat the persistent |
| as men. Sleep deprivation is not so choosey! | | | | fatigue.In conclusion. a combination of |
| It can affect male, female and all ages | | | | better quality sleep with gentle exercise, |
| alike.CFS is a debilitating illness which is | | | | optimal diet and cognitive behavioural |
| hard to diagnose due to the symptoms being | | | | therapy would go a long way to improving the |
| non specific. Also the symptoms described by | | | | lives of patients with CFS. |
| the sufferers often cannot be verified. For | | | | |
| instance, patients often describe feeling | | | | This article is for informational purposes |
| feverish although their temperature is | | | | only and should not be taken as medical |
| normal.Recent studies indicate CFS may in | | | | advice. Please see your health care |
| fact be an immune disorder due to | | | | provider.Copyright 2005 Wendy OwenWant to |
| inflammation of the immune system, but there | | | | know how to have better sleep? Find out how! |