Being diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (cfs) 24 years ago, there wasn’t much information out there. All I received was a pamphlet on the symptoms of cfs which I will explain in this article plus some ways to help you through them.
The Nightingale Foundation, one of the leading researchers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, defines the main criteria of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms is consistent tiredness for more than six months. However if you feel unwell and tired for a few weeks, you need to be examined by a doctor to rule out any other medical conditions, like anemia, thyroid problem, yeast and urinary tract infection, toxins, gluten intolerance, which will affect your energy.
Along with the main criteria, there should be also 4 or more of the following symptoms present. There are the following fatigue symptoms:
- Sleep difficulties/unrefreshing sleep
- Post-exertional malaise (within 12-24 hours)
- Impaired memory or concentration
- Muscle pain
- Multi-joint pain
- Tender lymph nodes in the armpit and neck
I had all except for the multi-joint pain and headaches, and I also had visual problems, like blurring, sensitivity to light, and the need for frequent prescription changes. And I had a hard time retaining or comprehending what I read. If you have any of these symptoms go see your doctor.
Some helpful things you can do to help you through these symptoms
- You can exercise as long as it is moderation. You may feel horribly tired and wanting to just lye in bed, but still try to do something. Don’t overexert yourself because excessive activity may aggravate chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. I choose hatha yoga, which is a gentle form, to be my exercise for the day. It not only strengthened me physically, but has improved my concentration and also given me more peace of mine.
- If you have a hard time settling your mind and body to get into a restful sleep. Prior to going for a rest or bedtime: lye down in the bed, close your eyes, and just focus on your breath for a few minutes, secondly go into thoughts of what you’re grateful for….I’m grateful for my health, my family, and two beautiful children. This will help calm your mind and lets sleep naturally come. It also helps me to make sure I finish everything by 8:30 P.M., so I can relax and lesson my mind prior to my bedtime.
- Energy Therapy: The first one I learned was reiki (pronounced ray-key) therapy which is a natural healing technique. When my legs were sore or my lymph nodes in my glands were swollen I would place my hand over that area by placing both hands over my glands or sides of my leg. When my hands started to tingle or got warm it meant that the energy was healing the area. If you do this, it is important to keep both hands on the area for at least five minutes or until you feel the discomfort or pain start to subside, a constant flow of soothing warmth.
In other articles I will go over other ways that helped me through my chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms that I felt and enabled me to get out of bed in the morning to do activities during my day. All the best on your healing journey and I will leave you with an affirmation that I repeat periodically during my day and prior to going to sleep at night, Every day and every way I am getting healthy and I am strong.
Other Sites Online
- Adrenal Fatigue / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms and Treatments | Help for Depression – cures for depression – depression treatments – anxiety cure – Stress – Panic attacks
- Probiotic Supplements Ease Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms « Living Your Life Without Addiction
- XMRV, prostate cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome
