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