| What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? by Cinda Crawford |
As the name "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" implies, one of the hallmark symptoms of this illness is fatigue, but it is not the kind of fatigue one experiences after a busy day, mild exertion, a sleepless night or a single, stressful event. It is a severe, incapacitating fatigue that is not improved by bed rest. It may worsen with physical or mental activity. It is an all-encompassing, life-altering fatigue that results in a dramatic decline in the patient's health, activity level and stamina. It dramatically changes his or her complete life! (Note: CFS is also know as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome or CFIDS in the United States.) |
FUNCTIONALITY:
People with CFS (called PWCs for short) function at significantly lower levels of activity and achievement
than they were capable of prior to becoming ill. The illness results in a substantial decline in work-related
accomplishments, in time spent on personal hobbies or pursuing advancement through educational
opportunities.
People with CFS (called PWCs for short) function at significantly lower levels of activity and achievement
than they were capable of prior to becoming ill. The illness results in a substantial decline in work-related
accomplishments, in time spent on personal hobbies or pursuing advancement through educational
opportunities.
CFS FATIGUE IS ACCOMPANIED BY SYMPTOMS LASTING AT LEAST 6 MONTHS
THEY INCLUDE:
• difficulties with memory and concentration
• problems with sleep
• persistent muscle pain
• joint pain (without redness or swelling)
• headaches
• tender lymph nodes
• increased malaise (fatigue and sickness) following exertion
• sore throat
(**** And in my case, recurrent infections, i.e., viruses, bacteria, etc.)
MANY PWCs EXPERIENCE ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS:
• irritable bowel
• depression or psychological problems (i.e., irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic
attacks)
• chills and night sweats
• visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain)
• allergies, sensitivities or allergenic-like reactions to foods, odors, chemicals, medications
or noise
• brain fog (feeling like you're in a mental fog; capable of few brain functions)
*For more information on cognitive dysfunction, click here.
• difficulty maintaining upright position, dizziness, balance problems or fainting
• sleep dysfunction (trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep)
THEY INCLUDE:
• difficulties with memory and concentration
• problems with sleep
• persistent muscle pain
• joint pain (without redness or swelling)
• headaches
• tender lymph nodes
• increased malaise (fatigue and sickness) following exertion
• sore throat
(**** And in my case, recurrent infections, i.e., viruses, bacteria, etc.)
MANY PWCs EXPERIENCE ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS:
• irritable bowel
• depression or psychological problems (i.e., irritability, mood swings, anxiety, panic
attacks)
• chills and night sweats
• visual disturbances (blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain)
• allergies, sensitivities or allergenic-like reactions to foods, odors, chemicals, medications
or noise
• brain fog (feeling like you're in a mental fog; capable of few brain functions)
*For more information on cognitive dysfunction, click here.
• difficulty maintaining upright position, dizziness, balance problems or fainting
• sleep dysfunction (trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep)
CFS/ CFIDS Symptoms: vary from person to person in number, type and severity. All people with
this illness experience some functional impairment and disability. CDC studies show that CFS can be as
disabling an illness as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, end-stage renal disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar chronic conditions, but take heart. For help
and hope, check out my new ELT Healing book.
Clinical course: there is no normal clinical course for CFS, therefore it is impossible to know what to
expect if you have it. The illness often seems cyclical, alternating between periods of being quite sick and a
degree of well-being. Some patients experience partial or complete remission of symptoms, but do not
dismay if the symptoms return. This on-again, off-again pattern makes CFS especially hard to manage. If
you have had the illness for as many as 3 years, past statistics do not bode well for recovery. (Thank
goodness that does not have to be the case now... now that we have ELT! I recovered after having had it for
over 15 years! Recovery after being sick that long is almost unheard of.)
Rejoining Life: If you do experience periods of renewed energy and lower symptoms, do not be tempted
to overdo your activities. Be as active as you can be without falling into a remission trap. “But doctor… I
felt so good!” Let your activity level be controlled and considered ahead of events. Whatever you plan,
don’t overdo.
Plan carefully: You may want to schedule rest breaks, naps, water or small meals to bolster you during
the day. This works as well for daily life or it does for vacation time. Consider sleeping arrangements,
sitting, standing and walking requirements. They can all make you tired!
*WHETHER YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT CHANGES TO YOUR DIET, YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY,
YOUR DOCTOR, YOUR DRUGS, THE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE METHODS THAT YOU USE
OR ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT SEEM TO BE ENTICING...
this illness experience some functional impairment and disability. CDC studies show that CFS can be as
disabling an illness as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, end-stage renal disease,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and similar chronic conditions, but take heart. For help
and hope, check out my new ELT Healing book.
Clinical course: there is no normal clinical course for CFS, therefore it is impossible to know what to
expect if you have it. The illness often seems cyclical, alternating between periods of being quite sick and a
degree of well-being. Some patients experience partial or complete remission of symptoms, but do not
dismay if the symptoms return. This on-again, off-again pattern makes CFS especially hard to manage. If
you have had the illness for as many as 3 years, past statistics do not bode well for recovery. (Thank
goodness that does not have to be the case now... now that we have ELT! I recovered after having had it for
over 15 years! Recovery after being sick that long is almost unheard of.)
Rejoining Life: If you do experience periods of renewed energy and lower symptoms, do not be tempted
to overdo your activities. Be as active as you can be without falling into a remission trap. “But doctor… I
felt so good!” Let your activity level be controlled and considered ahead of events. Whatever you plan,
don’t overdo.
Plan carefully: You may want to schedule rest breaks, naps, water or small meals to bolster you during
the day. This works as well for daily life or it does for vacation time. Consider sleeping arrangements,
sitting, standing and walking requirements. They can all make you tired!
*WHETHER YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT CHANGES TO YOUR DIET, YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY,
YOUR DOCTOR, YOUR DRUGS, THE ALTERNATIVE HEALTH CARE METHODS THAT YOU USE
OR ANY OTHER CHANGES THAT SEEM TO BE ENTICING...
| *THE KEY TO BEGINNING A RECOVERY PERIOD IS GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR TRUE AND INNER SELF AND WHAT SEEMS RIGHT FOR YOU! |
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