How to Treat Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Boost Energy Faster?

What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

(Also called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

Do you wake up in the morning feeling tired and groggy, and stay thus throughout the day? You may be affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Here’s what it is and why you should be concerned about it.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or ME/CFS), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or CFS), is a genetic disorder that’s identified with dropping energy levels and extreme tiredness without any underlying medical cause or condition.

It may last for more than six months and always worsens with physical or mental activity. The worst thing is that it refuses to go away even with proper rest, sleep, and diet. This long-term illness affects the entire body and leaves the person unable to even do his daily work. It may even confine them to their beds.

As you would understand, these symptoms always worsen with physical exertion and the patient always feels powerless to do anything. Almost three million people are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the US alone and it occurs more commonly in women- and they usually do not consult a doctor until it is too late.

What is Epstein Barr Virus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

A special case of this ghastly medical disorder is the Epstein Barr Virus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It is caused due to Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), which is one of the most common viruses of the herpes virus family in the world.

This malady has the same symptoms as does CFS, but it additionally also affects the patient’s memory and may cause insomnia. Several pathological experts consider it to be the underlying cause of CFS and its related syndromes, but none of it has been conclusively proved so far.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Test

To diagnose this issue, it is important to first identify it. Here’s how Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or ME/CFS) can be identified:

1. Trouble concentrating

2. Persistent tiredness

3. Lack of vigor or energy

4. Depression

5. Weaker immunity

Irritable Bowel Movement

It can also be identified with persistent sleep disorders, pain, indigestion, and trouble concentrating. It also becomes worse with even the slightest work or exertion and is thus rightly also called Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Treatment

Medically, there is no treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Doctors may prescribe some painkillers or vitamin supplements to treat it, but they usually do not work.

It may benefit you to go for the following modes of treatment:

1. Psychotherapy

2. Addressing sleep problems

3. Personal training

4. Some medications

5. Acupuncture

6. Massage

Please note that only a healthcare expert can decide on the best course of treatment for the patient.

Update: There is a new treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2021. It is based on the premise that an overactive immune system in the human body can be molded to fight the underlying causes. It can be done by repeatedly exposing the patient to thermal radiation for a set time duration. Research is underway to derive more conclusive evidence about curing the medical condition.

What kind of doctor diagnoses Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) can be best treated by the following healthcare experts:

1. Infectious disease specialist

2. Rheumatologist (joints’ pain specialist)

3.Sleep medicine specialists

4. Endocrinologists

We recommend that you look for doctors specializing in chronic fatigue syndrome near you. If such doctors are not available in your local area, you can try contacting such experts online using this link. You may also join a support group for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome on WhatsApp where you could find advice from people facing the same issue.

Difference between Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fibromyalgia leads to the same amount of weakness and fatigue but there is no pain in joints or muscles. This is vastly different from the issues caused by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that also causes too much pain in joints and muscles, apart from too much weakness.

Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome fatal?

Not really. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is not fatal and there have been very few reported cases of patients dying of it.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Causes

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Causes While most of this ghastly disease is considered genetic, it is not difficult to consider the following causes for the rise of the syndrome:

Ailments related to lungs, heart, and liver:

Fatigue may be caused due to Asthma and heart ailments, and can go much worse with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Lifestyle:

We sit at our desks all day, go home and watch TV or look at our computers, struggle to fall asleep, and wake up feeling worse than before.

Excessive use of caffeine and sugar:

They can cause anxiety, sluggish digestive systems, irregular blood pressure, and sugar levels. Being addicted to them can make it worse.

Inadequate nutrition and obesity:

They can put the respiratory system (like lungs and diaphragm) under load and increase pulmonary resistance.

Vitamin B-12:

A lack of Vitamin B-12 reduces the count of red blood cells and the amount of oxygen that goes into them. This causes more exhaustion than usual.

We recommend you check with a qualified healthcare professional online to know if you are suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and to diagnose its underlying cause. Meanwhile, you may try the following tips to feel better with exhaustion, tiredness, and breathlessness.

Shortness of Breath and Tiredness

You should be worried if you have been feeling tired, exhausted, or breathless, for longer durations of time. It could surely spell trouble for you if you have been experiencing these symptoms for over six months now, especially when there are no medical reasons for them to occur. A few medical tests could ascertain the underlying cause.

It may also come from ingesting toxins or after Hepatitis or Jaundice and can leave you hollowed out from within. Whatever be the underlying causes, we recommend going for the requisite pulmonary function tests to determine if your total lung capacity has reduced, and if so, what corrective measures can you take to set it right faster.

Note: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as an ailment is easy to detect but takes time to go away, and may signify some serious health conditions related to the liver and heart. The sooner you get it diagnosed, the better it is.

How to Boost Energy Faster?

It is important to know that the human body is mostly made up of water. So if you can bump up your water intake and match it up with some easy-to-do home-based exercises, you can count on a positive change in a shorter time frame

Dehydration (or lack of fluids) in your body can drop your blood sugar levels rather quickly, thus pushing the body to work harder into supplying oxygen and nutrients to all cells. This would court more expense of energy and would make you exhausted even faster.

Drinking enough water every day would also boost your metabolism rate with amazing results and help you feel more energetic at times. It may also help you get rid of health issues like mental fog, poor concentration, dizziness, and short-term memory.

Here are some of the best tricks you can try to boost your energy and vitality.

Aromatherapy

Grab some dried rosemary and crush it up in your hand. You can hold this under your nose, or boil it into a rosemary tea and let the steam from the tea rise gently over your face. The smell of this herb will help stimulate your mind and give you energy.

Cover Your Face with a Cold Washcloth

Soak a washcloth in icy water, wring it out, and then place the cold cloth over your face. The cool temperature will stimulate your facial muscles and your mind, giving you renewed energy. You may do this multiple times in a day to feel rejuvenated.

Get some sunlight (Vitamin D)

Sitting in the office all day without much sunlight, especially in the winter season, can be incredibly bad for our health. Doctors recommend spending 15 to 20 minutes out in the sun every day, though you may lessen the duration in summers. Sunlight boosts energy levels, fights seasonal affective disorder, and stimulates the production of vitamin D in our skin.

Go for a brisk walk

It is no secret that sitting at a desk all day is bad for your body and mind. Walking briskly can get you out of your chair into the sun and is a good way to move your muscles. This easy exercise will also boost your brain’s production of positive neurotransmitters and endorphins. It would work best if you do it the first thing in the morning and make it a habit.

Drink green tea

Green tea is an excellent substitute for coffee. The tea has cancer-fighting antioxidants and promotes good health through weight loss. For an all-natural energy boost, replace your afternoon coffee with a cup of green tea. This herbal beverage has EGCG, an active compound in green tea that helps the skin look shinier and elastic.

Also read: So How Special Is Your Cup of Green Tea or Coffee Today?

Deep breathing

Deep, mindful breathing can bring energy and positivity into your day. Sit up tall in your chair and inhale slowly, filling your lungs. Pause here. Then exhale slowly, pushing out all of the air in your lungs. Repeat a few times. It would lower your blood pressure and blood sugar, and stress levels.

Cultivate a garden for yourself

If you have some spare outdoor space at home, you can use it to cultivate fragrant plants and herbs. Gardening as a form of exercise is known to boost a person’s mood. Digging in the dirt can help fight stress in the body and promote the release of positive neurotransmitters in your mind. This would help you spend your free time more productively- and you can see the results in as little as 15 days.

Turn off all electronic gadgets and smartphones (especially before bedtime)

Looking at the blue light of our electronic screens stimulates the brain and tells it to stay awake. To improve the quality of your sleep, turn off all your electronics at least one hour before bedtime. Try reading a book or meditating before you hit the hay.

Get enough sleep

While not directly related to chronic fatigue syndrome, a lack of sleep can surely aggregate issues. If we sleep less than six hours at night, we deprive our body of the time and resources that it needs to mend the loss of blood cells during the day. It is advisable to sleep early and aim to rise from the bed early to boost overall energy levels.

Also read: Available on US National Library of Medicines online, this research conclusively mentions the ideal sleep patterns for people of various age groups. It’s well worth a read!

Surround yourself with positive, energetic people

Being around people who are constantly complaining about how tired they are won’t do you any good. But hanging out more with motivating and uplifting people surely can help you live better and feel more energetic. It would also encourage you to take some positive steps in life and revitalize your mind and body. The energy that comes from your friends can rub off on you so be sure to pick the right ones.

Whip up a green smoothie

Smoothies are the easiest and the most delicious way to get a lot of nutrients and taste in a small cup- and it is mighty easy to make them anytime you want. Having a cup of green smoothie on the go is a great way that can boost your energy levels and blood sugar levels. People who have nutrient-rich smoothies for breakfast are less likely to grab a cup of coffee later for more energy.

Tip: To prepare a green smoothie the right way, you should choose fruits and vegetables that can boost energy. Simply throw in whatever greens you have such as kale, romaine lettuce, spinach, and/or celery into the blender along with fruit to improve the flavor, such as an apple or an orange.

Perform deep breathing exercises

Inhaling and exhaling mindfully is one of the best ways to energize yourself. Simply sit straight, close your eyes, and focus only on your breath. Inhale slowly to a count of 6, hold for 3 seconds, tensing all the muscles in your body. Then exhale for a count of 6 and relax your muscles. Hold your breath again for 3 and then repeat this cycle several times.

Foods That Boost Energy

Taking some superfoods every day can help you fill the deficiency of various minerals and vitamins. Such energy supplements are not too costly or difficult to find. You may choose to eat bananas, avocadoes, sweet potatoes, eggs, apples, soups, fruits, almonds, kale, chia seeds, oats, and spinach.

Consult a Healthcare Expert to Get Treated for ME/CFS

It is important to note that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (or ME/CFS)) is a serious medical condition that does not occur without consistent negligence of proper lifestyle and dietary habits. Research proves that coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) might prove decisive in relieving the symptoms of fatigue and persistent breathlessness. Here’s a link to it.

Please note that these energy supplements are antioxidant dietary supplements and they may come with several cardioprotective effects. They should not be taken without proper medical advice from a qualified medical professional and must be discontinued once the time duration for taking them is over. Whatever your medical condition may be, it would be best to consult a healthcare expert to get the issue diagnosed as soon as possible.