Question: Is chronic fatigue syndrome a mental problem?

Answer: Many people believe that those who have chronic fatigue syndrome are simply being lazy, or that their condition is the by-product of depression. The truth is that chronic fatigue syndrome is a very real physical problem that we know very little about. There have been some theories proposed as to why an individual might become afflicted by chronic fatigue syndrome, but none have offered any conclusive insight regarding exactly what is causing the illness. There aren't many observable physical symptoms when one has chronic fatigue syndrome, leading many to believe that the problem is 'all in the head', but it is simply not the case. We simply haven't been able to biologically identify the agent that is causing the illness.

Question: What are some good ways of coping with the illness?

Answer: Being diagnosed with a case of chronic fatigue syndrome can be a life-changing event. You will need to undergo plenty of treatment and carefully monitor many aspects of your life in order to maintain proper health and productivity, but it is not impossible. Some people get depressed when they realize how altered their life will be by the illness and don't know where to turn. Many find relief by joining a support group with other individuals who are afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. Being able to relate to other people and learning more about the syndrome by talking to others that have it can be invaluable to helping you to keep on top of your illness. Therapy can also be helpful when it comes to getting over the stress of having chronic fatigue syndrome.

Question: Will getting more exercise be helpful in lessening the symptoms that I am experiencing?

Answer: Unfortunately, since chronic fatigue syndrome tends to zap away all of your energy, it is generally not recommended to overdo it when it comes to exercise. A mild exercise program can be helpful, but it is something that you should discuss with your physician before attempting it. Balancing your activity levels with your rest levels is a must when you are afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome and developing time management and prioritizing skills is of the utmost importance for making the best use of your available energy.

Hopefully, the above questions and answers helped you to learn more about chronic fatigue syndrome. Since so few people know about the syndrome, you should consider sharing your newfound knowledge with those around you in order to bring awareness to the problem, as it effects over one million Americans alone.

When a person comes to visit her doctor and complains of chronic fatigue a doctor will first take a look at the individual's comprehensive medical history and from there will perform a physical examination of the patient. Two common tests that are often ordered right after the physical exam are blood tests and urine tests because these tests taken together can help rule out other diseases that could be causing the fatigue such as multiple sclerosis, adrenal disorders, thyroid disease, lupus, Lyme disease, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, HIV and a host of other diseases.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a mysterious disease and it is a form of fatigue that has no apparent explanation. Generally if prolonged fatigue lasts for six months or more and brings with it cognitive related problems such as trouble focusing on tasks or difficulties with short-term memory then chronic fatigue syndrome is likely to be seriously considered as the cause. If a person has suffered with chronic fatigue over a period of six months or more and it is severe and all other types of health conditions have been ruled out then doctors often zero in on CFS.

If a person experiences four or more of the following symptoms then a diagnosis of CFS is generally made. These symptoms include bouts of extreme tiredness that last more than a period of 24 hours after a person has physically or mentally exerted themselves; waking up in the morning feeling unrefreshed; headaches that are more severe then headaches from the past or headaches that have different patterns; pain that occurs in joints that is not accompanied by redness or swelling; pain in muscles; a sore throat; lymph nodes that are tender; and significant difficulties in regards to concentration and/or short-term memory.

There are other tests that doctors send their patients for on occasion to determine whether or not chronic fatigue syndrome is what a patient is experiencing. These tests include erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), IgM/IgG Coxsackie virus B titer, IgM/IgG chlamydia pneumoniae titer, IgM/IgG HHV-6 titer and Natural Killer (NK) cell levels.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome still baffles the medical community. Some researchers believe that it is brought on by an immune system that is not working as it should while still others attribute it to a virus. In fact many healthcare practitioners are not even sure that CFS is a real disease but might instead be "a component of a psychological disorder or a symptom of other problems" and could be comparable to the likes of anemia or high blood pressure.

Hydrotherapy has been successfully used in the treatment of many ailments and disorders and has brought relief to those who suffer from back, neck and knee injuries; asthma sufferers; arthritis sufferers as well as those with hyperthermia, pulmonary disease, swollen ankles and varicose veins. The gentle motion and swell of water is extremely good for those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome as water has long been shown to have a great deal of therapeutic benefits. Water in an of itself is relaxing and for that reason is an excellent option for CFS patients.

Hydrotherapy is used in many ways today. It is often used in clinical type settings for healing but it is also used in health and wellness spas to encourage relaxation of the body and mind. Qualified professionals such as naturopaths massage therapists or physical therapists are always present during the hydrotherapy sessions to guarantee that no problem arises. There are a number of methods used in hydrotherapy and they include everything from steam baths to hot or cold compresses, to colonic irrigation to icing sprains to whirlpool soakings to a variety of water douches for the arm, neck, back, chest and knee.

Hydrotherapy can also be as simple as using water to heal yourself at home. Both baths and showers provide healing to the human body and it does not have to be in a fancy setting. It is advisable to have warm baths as opposed to hot baths and make sure you fill the tub so that your shoulders will be submerged. A reasonable temperature for a bath is 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit or thereabouts). A relaxing soak in the tub is especially beneficial when you are suffering from a low-grade fever, a respiratory problem that includes a stuffed up nose, a sore throat and a cough and a bladder infection. Any kind of illness can be detrimental to a CFS sufferer so the more you do to keep yourself healthy, the better it is for your health on a long term basis.

Sitz baths are hydrotherapy cures that are basically just water treatments that are designed to help the lower portion of the abdomen. As well there are vapor baths and footbaths. A sitz bath needs to include enough water that the lower part of your body will be completely submerged in water. A sitz bath starts with warm water and then is followed by cold water. This contrast of water temperatures is particularly beneficial for those who have developed headaches due to their chronic health condition.

No one cause has been isolated to explain chronic fatigue syndrome at that is why doctors make more than one treatment option available to their patients. When it comes to symptom management, discuss your options with your doctor. If you try one method of relieving your symptoms and it doesn't work then consider something else. Whatever you do, keep the lines of communication open with your doctor.

There are a variety of prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter medications that can help to relieve symptoms of CFS such as sleep problems, cognitive and behavioral issues as well as physical pain and discomfort. Sometimes antidepressants are prescribed for patients who experience depression as a result of their disease. Many chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers find themselves sensitive to a range of medications and for that reason it is important for a doctor to begin a patient on a low dose of medication and if necessary in time to work up to higher dosages.

A variety of alternative natural health therapies are often recommended by a healthcare practitioner as a way to complement the Western medicine treatment. Which ones you try depends on the individual. Always make sure you choose a method that is safe and effective and do your research before settling on a practitioner of choice. Some of the best alternative health therapies for symptom management include hydrotherapy, yoga, tai chi, massage therapy and acupuncture.

Exercise is essential if you are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome but so is learning how to adjust your level of physical activity accordingly. Many people who suffer from chronic illnesses are often recommended to participate in vigorous aerobic exercise whereas CFS sufferers are better off opting out of traditional aerobic activities and going with milder and less strenuous forms of exercise such as walking for example.

CFS patients need to learn to pace themselves when it comes to both their work habits as well as their exercise habits. It is essential to work with your doctor to develop an exercise program that puts emphasis on graded exercise and interval activity. The goal of these two forms of specialized exercise is to improve the symptoms that a patient suffers from such as pain in the muscles and joints, mood swings, sleep problems, et cetera.

Getting informed is the first step towards improving your prognosis and the more you know and understand about chronic fatigue syndrome the better equip you will be to deal with the day to day realities of it and this means all of the physical, mental and social implications of it. One great source of information on the net is www.cdc.cov/cfs. Another option is to seek out a support group in your area or if you prefer, fond one online that you can attend from the safety and solace of your own home.

It is important to differentiate that fatigue that accompanies CFS from regular fatigue that strikes everyone from time to time. It is normal to feel over tired after a few sleepless nights or after a stressful event or if one is really nervous about something that is coming around the corner. The fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome is incapacitating and intense, bordering on severe and it is not improved upon by a good night's sleep or even a couple of good night sleeps. As well taking naps and catching up on rest in every way possible will not make the condition go away. Chronic fatigue syndrome can be made worse by other kinds of mental or physical problems and it can drastically affect an individual's quality of life as energy levels quickly can become depleted which can decrease the sufferer's level of stamina. With little or no energy, a person will begin to change the way she lives her life and often many activities that a person once enjoyed disappear. CFS affects all areas of a person's functioning and this includes their personal life, their social life, their occupation and so forth.

A diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can only be made conclusively after a series of tests has been done on the patient, however if a person has been suffering from unexplained and prolonged fatigue for a period of six months or longer then CFS is likely to blame. If the patient also exhibits a number of other characteristic symptoms then the doctor is inclined to lean towards a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

The characteristic symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are often referred to as primary symptoms and there are eight in total. First of all if a person suffers from cognitive dysfunction, which includes problems concentrating, or impaired memory or even memory lapses then CFS could be to blame. If a person suffers from "post exertional malaise" that lasts for more than a 24-hour period and it occurs after a strenuous mental or physical exercise then it is likely caused by CFS. If a person wakes up feeling unrested and unrefreshed morning after morning that is another symptom of CFS.

Other characteristic symptoms of CFS include persistent pain in the muscles, pain in the joints that does not include any degree of inflammation or swelling, headaches that are different than any a person has experienced before or headaches or a more intense variety, a sore throat unrelated to a cold or other respiratory condition and cervical or axillary lymph nodes that are tender.

One of the first treatments to be tried for CFS is exercise programs in the form of graded exercise or pacing exercises. In the case of graded exercise (GE, GA or GET), this is a type of rehabilitation program that involves self-monitored or supervised activity or exercise that is graded. Pacing is a form of self-controlled rest and exercise that is designed to minimize an individual's homeostatic disequilibrium. Still other forms of exercise are sometimes undertaken for pain relief and these include gentle forms of stretching, gentle yoga, walking, t'ai chi, and non-aerobic exercise.

The drug treatments prescribed for chronic fatigue syndrome run the gamut depending on what symptoms a patient is suffering from and how severe the symptoms are. There are antidepressants, antibiotics, amphetamines, sleep aids, and immune-modulating drugs. Sleep aids and pain relievers are the two kinds of drugs that are most commonly prescribed to patients. Many of those who suffer from CFS experience poor or irregular sleep patterns and therefore need a little help to ensure a good night's rest on a consistent basis. Some patients are prescribed sleep aids while others are given the names of over-the-counter remedies.

Pain is a common side effect of CFS, especially when it comes to physical, neuralgic pain. Nerve pain of this type often responds best to tricyclic antidepressants, however other kinds of pain relievers can also be recommended. Those suffering from headaches and/or migraines need to seek out pain relievers that are suited for that purpose. In some cases hot water bathing and acupuncture have been shown to be helpful in relieving neuralgic forms of pain.

There are yet other types of treatments that are sought out to help those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Sometimes a doctor will try more than one form of treatment concurrently or in other cases it will be only one form of treatment at a time. Cognitive behavioral therapy is sometimes undertaken, as is hydrotherapy, massage (in particular in the forms of myofascial therapy and /or craniosacral therapy), acupuncture and reflexology. Many doctors have found that behaviorial intervention in the form of cognitive therapy and graded exercise combined together is extremely effective in treating chronic fatigue syndrome.

Another option is alternative therapies such as nutritional supplementation and dietary modification and herbal therapies. For example such nutritional supplements that have been found to help CFS sufferers include magnesium, alpha lipoic acid, glutathione, and L-theanine. The herbal remedy passionflower has shown promising results as has Echinacea, licorice, lomatium, astragalus, ginkgo biloba, Chinese (or Korean) ginseng, Siberian ginseng, milk thistle, pau d'arco, St. John's wort, kava kava, cat's claw, ashwaganda, goldenseal and a variety of other ones.

One of the first things that a doctor will ask of you when diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is to fill out a form. The form will involve questions about your past health, both physical and mental. You can also expect a blood test to be administered as well. Since we are so unclear on what exactly causes chronic fatigue syndrome, the main way of diagnosing the illness involves eliminating all of the other possible reasons that you are experiencing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Other tests may also be performed in order to ensure that your symptoms are not due to a virus or a problem with your central nervous system. You should also inform your doctor about any types of medications that you may be taking, as they may be responsible for the symptoms that you are feeling.

The traditional diagnosis methodology for chronic fatigue syndrome states that an individual needs to be experiencing flu-like symptoms that cause them to lose their energy levels for a period of time that is six months or greater. Also, other symptoms must be present, such as swollen lymph nodes, unfamiliar headaches, a sore threat, or a lack of ability to successfully concentrate.

Until we learn more about chronic fatigue syndrome, we won't be able to pin down the illness as well as we would like. If you suspect that you may be experiencing symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, read all that you can about the illness so that you can ensure that you are not mistakenly identifying your symptoms. If you feel that you may be at risk, you should speak with a doctor, being sure to answer their questions regarding your lifestyle and medical history honestly as to avoid being misdiagnosed. While there is still no cure for the illness, there are plenty of things that you can do to make your life more manageable when you are afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome. While chronic fatigue syndrome is a scary type of illness that may persist throughout an individual's lifetime, it's important to address the problem if you suspect that it may be present in your life. Do research on the syndrome and speak to individuals that are afflicted with it in order to increase your knowledge and make you more suited for recognizing the problem if it occurs to you or someone that you love.

Laboratory tests are generally undertaken first as they are not expensive to do and they are relatively simple for the patient and the results will come back from the laboratory very quickly. These tests generally include a blood count test, thyroid function test, liver function test, urine test and a sedimentation rate. All of these tests are conducted to rule out any number of other health problems. Be aware however that no laboratory tests whether it be blood, urine, liver or any other kind is able to diagnose CFS simply by the results of that one test. If any one of these tests comes back abnormal then this still could mean that the person is suffering from CFS but it could be any number of other disorders as well. A doctor then must look closer to other types of health problems.

Exercise tests are usually the second step. In general people who are suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome are not able to exercise to the same level as those in the general population who do not struggle with the disorder. Exercise tests can help to determine whether a person is suffering from a mild version of CFS or whether it is moderate or severe. Research studies looking into exercise tests and their benefits to CFS patients have found that those who suffer from CFS have "higher than normal ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)". What an RPE is is basically the effort it takes energy wise for an individual to exercise. The scores for RPE can range from 0, which stands for falling asleep to 20, which ranges for maximum all out exertion. Some studies however refute the validity of past studies and have found no significant difference between the two at all.

It was once believed that simply measuring blood pressure was enough to determine whether a person suspected of having CFS suffers from the problem due to a "neurally mediated level of hypotension" which is an abnormal drop in a person's blood pressure. A tilt test can help to determine more. A tilt test is when a person lies down on a table that is tilted approximately at a 70-degree angle for a specified length of time (this may vary from patient to patient). If the patient feels nauseous, lightheaded, faint or dizzy after a very short period of time then this is a sign of neurally mediated hypotension and thus lends itself closer to a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome.

It will be up to a doctor whether he feels it is necessary to send a patient for one of the other tests or a variety. The deciding factors will often be the number of symptoms a person is experiencing and how much their present health condition is affecting their day-to-day life. First however other health conditions must be ruled out, such as depression, pregnancy, fibromyalgia or a variety of bacterial and/or viral infections.

Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are afflicted with some form of sleep disturbance and fatigue. In either case it is common to prescribe some form of medication to establish normal sleep patterns and minimize daytime fatigue.

Another trait that both diseases share is muscle pain. There are various ways to address this issue and in many cases the best approach is to use a combination of techniques. For example, there are a variety of suitable medications which may be prescribed to alleviate the pain. In conjunction with medication the doctor may recommend some mild form of exercise. Both pool exercise in warm water and yoga have shown to be excellent methods to provide relief. One note of caution however: the amount of exercise should be approached prudently. Some patients experience severe fatigue after exertion.

"Brain fog" is a condition experienced by many sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. This is a condition in which one's concentration is impaired and cognitive abilities are compromised. A definitive treatment for this has yet to be devised but several methods have been shown to help. Biofeedback is one such method and the same anti-depressants used for the patient's sleep therapy has been beneficial in a number of cases.

Diet is a primary issue with either of the two diseases. It is advisable to consult with a nutritionist who is familiar with the conditions. There are foods to avoid which are particular to specific cases and also those that might aggravate most patients. These include caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods.

Living well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is by no means an easy task. There is no area of a patient's life which the diseases do not impact; economic, social, mood, family, and work – all are interrelated. Although many patient's incomes are severely affected getting benefits can sometimes be daunting.

The best course of action is to follow the doctor's instructions, monitor your general health and activities, and develop or join a support group.

There are herbs that can be prescribed to boost the immune system and these include shilajit and shatavari. There are also herbs that help to reduce the level of pitta in the body and therefore decrease the potential for viruses and infections to set in. These herbs serve to cleanse the liver as well as the bloodstream, the spleen, the gall bladder and the lymphoid system. Examples of these herbs include bhumldmalaki, kajuka, manjishtha, turmeric, yellow dock and bhringaraj. Healing and rejuvenation can be encouraged when these herbs are consumed on a more or less steady basis.

An herbal formula strongly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners includes five parts of shatavari, four parts of bala, three parts of vidari and ¼ part of kama dudha. For best results consume 1/2c teaspoon of this herbal concoction two to three times per day and also consume one teaspoon of shatavari ghee. This herbal formula will serve to improve the functioning of the liver tremendously and will help to relieve the excessive fatigue that accompanies chronic fatigue syndrome.

Metabolism and digestion are given a great deal of emphasis in Ayurvedic Medicine. In order for the digestive system to be working to its optimum best a person needs to have plenty of agni or gastric fire. When a person's agni is on the low side, the digestive process will work slowly and this means that the absorption of good nutrients from the foods that are eaten will be of a poor quality. If a person is not receiving ample nourishment from food then automatically their energy levels will be very low and insufficient.

In order to keep your agni or gastric fire at a normal rate, it is recommended that you drink very few cold drinks or drinks that have ice in them, this is especially the case during meals as well as at the end of meals. As an example, instead of drinking cold water or ice cold water, (bottle or tap water) opt for drinking warm to tepid water with a squeeze of lemon in it or opt for herbal tea with a meal or afterwards.

An excellent herb to help keep your gastric fire up to par is ginger, which is also an excellent herb for a variety of stomach upsets. Before you sit down for a meal, grate up or chop a tiny bit of fresh ginger purchased from the produce department of your local grocery store or an alternative health food store. Next add in a few drops of lime juice, followed by a pinch of salt and then chew the herbal preparation. If you prefer you can simply cut up a thin, small slice of ginger (just make sure that it is fresh) and then add a speck of salt before putting it in your mouth and chewing it.