Treatment for Chronic Fatigue
Treating chronic fatigue is a great challenge for medical practitioners as the condition is not well understood and experts have varying opinions on which is the best approach. In treating chronic fatigue, the symptoms are basically managed instead of cured. The effectiveness of each treatment can vary from case to case therefore it is a good idea to find out a combination that will work best for you.
The most common treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome is management techniques in the form of cognitive behavioral therapy, graded exercise therapy, psychodynamic counseling and pacing. These are primarily psychological therapies that are designed to help those with the condition improve their functioning and allow them to regain their ability to work. These are done by changing the patient’s beliefs about their condition and through training them to improve their physical ability in a gradual manner.
Since some cases of chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with prior viral infections, antiviral treatment is also used to address chronic fatigue syndrome. These include Ampligen, Valacyclovir, interferon, and IGG.
Some pharmacological treatments can also help those with chronic fatigue syndrome manage the symptoms. Antidepressants can help treat for depression and mood swings, improve sleep quality, and reduce pain. Other pharmacological treatments that were used to treat chronic fatigue are steroids like cortisol and thyroid hormones, NADH, and the Staphylococcal toxoid vaccine.
Finally, there are also alternative treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome. One of them is the through engagement in Qigong, an ancient Chinese system of physical and mental training for health, martial arts, and self-enlightenment. In the studies that were conducted, it was found out that Qigong can help improve the chronic fatigue symptoms of sleep disturbance, limited mobility, and pain. Alternative medicinal practices such as traditional Chinese medicine and ayurveda, or traditional Indian medicine have also treatments for a condition that is very similar with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Another natural alternative treatment is through dietary supplements: ginseng, L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, DHEA, essential fatty acids, probiotics, Vitamin C, magnesium, beta-carotene, melatonine, glutamine, whey protein, folic acid, and tyrosine are among those that are considered for treating chronic fatigue syndrome.
Treatment For Chronic Fatigue A History
As with all new discoveries the first people suffer in silence. If they do go to the doctor they are told it is just in there head. Tell that to anyone who has suffered from chronic fatigue! It was named Chronic Fatigue for a reason. But thankfully we are making headway on this issue. Please read the rest of this article…
Until recently, many people suffering from chronic fatigue were told it was all in their head and they should see a psychiatrist. Many were called malingerers and told to get off the couch and do some real work. It was not until the 1980’s that it was recognized as a real, debilitating ailment, but treatment for chronic fatigue is still in its infancy since medical studies have not yet established a true cause for the ailment.
Since the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome often mirror those of other ailments, it is important that all other causes of the symptoms be eliminated prior to beginning treatment for chronic fatigue symptoms. Some indications may include constant fatigue, which is not eliminated by sleep and rest, recurring headache, lack of concentration, muscle and joint pain and depression, among others. In order to be classified as chronic fatigue syndrome a person will have had to suffer at least four or more symptoms concurrently for a minimum of six months.
While the symptoms may appear over time, most diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome report a sudden onset of the symptoms. Sometimes they onset follows specific life events such as an extended period of stress or viral infection, leading some researchers to believe they can be related to the cause. However, since no firm opinion shows an exact cause of the disease treatment for chronic fatigue is lacking.
Treatment Can Cause Yo-Yo Effect
In many cases, mild exercise is prescribed in the treatment for chronic fatigue, and the patient is advised not to go beyond what they are capable of doing. However, many patients may feel better one day as opposed to others and on their good days will overdo their exercise program. This may have a profound effect in making them feel even more exhausted, having the symptoms return worse than before they began exercise treatment for chronic fatigue.
There have been many experimental drug treatments tried, with most showing no improvement in the symptoms, and some physicians and the Center for Disease Control claim they are being used as a treatment for chronic fatigue at an unnecessarily high expense to the patient. Some drugs can actually hide symptoms of other, potentially dangerous diseases.
Some over-the-counter medications for pain have been successful in treatment for chronic fatigue symptoms such as muscle and joint pain, but there has not been any proven treatment methods for many of the other symptoms. Currently, medical professionals are limited to treat the symptoms and cannot offer a complete treatment for chronic fatigue.
This is a very misunderstood disease and you will need to learn lots about your body before you can get a handle on treating it. The doctor may or may not help. But the one person we know can do something about it is you. So take the time to learn what you can and then act. Do something, because something is better than suffering in silence.
chronic fatigue treatmentFiled under Chronic Fatigue by Pat