FATIGUE: Cancer-Related and CFS

Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Depression are absolutely systemic in our society today. Recent studies done by the AMA and CMA purport one in four people in North America are suffering from some form of chronic fatigue or depression and it’s expected eight out of ten of us will experience similar afflictions in our lifetime. But numbers like these don’t speak to the cause and only tell half the story.

By Paul Shearstone

In June of this year, my new book entitled, “Until You’ve Walked the Path” hit the bookstores. In it, I chronicle my own real life battle and recovery from CFS [Chronic Fatigue Syndrome]. I am pleased to say that from the responses I’ve received, the book has touched many people in a positive way, both those suffering from the disease, as well as caregivers, looking for new ways to aid the afflicted.

In conversations about CFS, the one question I am asked the most is, “What’s causing My [their] chronic depression and fatigue?” Followed by, “Is it just stress?”

I’ll admit I am not a doctor and have no medical training, however, I have done a fair bit of research over the last decade and I am a real CFS Survivor. That said, it is my belief there are three fundamental ‘Camps’ if you will, that can cause depression or fatigue and it is absolutely essential to determine what camp you are in to expedite speedy recovery.

Camp #1: CFIDS [Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome]

CFIDS is the new acronym for most immune dysfunctional disorders which covers a broad base of causes and outcomes. More specifically, the factors that can bring on CFS are viral. In my case I was diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr Virus [EBV]. Another common virus known to cause CFS is the ME Virus [Myalgic Encephalomyelitis]. An outcome associated with CFS sufferers is Fibromyalgia; an excruciatingly painful disease that effects all the muscles and joints in the body.

I could go on but the important point to understand is that most of what causes ‘Real’ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is most often viral. These viruses attack the immune system causing acute un-wellness, fatigue and depression. Stress is another immune-weakening phenomenon and is often a major cause for CFS. On the other hand, motivators like post viral infection – as it was in my case – is known to be much of the cause because of the damaging consequences it can affect to an otherwise healthy immune system. One outcome is Depression and Fatigue.

Camp #2: Mood Disorders

Mood disorders are perhaps easier for most people to understand. Not the diseases themselves but rather the fact that there are commonly known diseases like: By-Polar, Manic-Depression and Schizophrenia, to name but three. We all know they can cause behavioral – often unpredictable -changes in those afflicted. Another outcome is Depression and Fatigue.

Camp #3: Substance Abuse

Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, [prescribed or otherwise], many people fall victim to their affects that over time, can clearly evolve into conditions of un-wellness.

Stress-relief is often the reason for those who use drugs and alcohol on a regular basis and one need not be addicted to experience many of the health deteriorations that ultimately come about. Another outcome, of course, is Depression and Fatigue.

By now you may be seeing a bit of an assertion I am making in this article which now compels me to make two important points:

1. Depression and Fatigue can be outcomes from many different motivators.

2. It is critical for sufferers to seek out immediate professional help in determining precisely what is causing their fatigue and depression.

I have seen too many people needlessly wither away with diseases like these, never getting the right help. Many of them try to hide their problem and shrink into the shadows because it’s not a glamorous disease and for the most part, is still a little misunderstood – even by many in the medical field.

My advice is to find the right medical specialist who deals specifically with what’s causing your fatigue and depression. Understand that no doctor can be a specialist at everything and that the medicine, treatment and care for someone with Schizophrenia would be entirely different from what’s required to treat someone with substance abuse or a viral infection. The specialist would be just as different.

It’s also vitally important for those afflicted and caregivers alike to know that there is a short window of opportunity in getting diseases like these under control. That is to say, from my observation and experience, the longer one goes without proper diagnosis and treatment, the harder it is and less likely it is, recovery can be achieved.

Chronic Depression and Fatigues is not something one chooses to have and treatments like “Suck it up soldier!” or love deprivation do not work. Ignoring it works even less.

The Bottom Line:

What’s causing Your Depression and Fatigue could be many things. You need to align yourself with the right specialist, the right medication and the right treatment As Soon As Possible!

The good news? You can recover from it and you can triumph over it! I am living proof.

About The Author

Paul Shearstone is President of The CFIDS Foundation of Canada Inc. He is an International Keynote Speaker, Author, Writer, Motivation, Corporate Ethics, Sales, Time & Stress Management Specialist.

Paul enlightens and challenges audiences as he informs motivates and entertains.

To comment on this article or to book Paul for your next successful event we invite to contact Paul Shearstone directly @ 416-728-5556 or 1-866-855-4590 www.success150.com or paul@success150.com.

For more information and how to order Paul’s new book, “Until You’ve Walked the Path” please visit www.paulshearstone.ca

"Every day millions of people struggle valiantly with the pain of CFIDS and Depression... the very real physical pain and the excruciating psychic pain of the soul. Paul gives both voice and face to their pain. More importantly, he gives expression to their courage, resilience, and valour. By his account of his own remarkable journey, he gives hope to the millions of others who are still on theirs".

Karen Liberman

Executive Director

Mood Disorders Association of Ontario

paul@paulshearstone.ca

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Shearstone

Posted by Editor at 10:49 PM | Permalink

If you or a friend or relative suffers from this severe and often debilitating disease, you may have wondered, as I have, why the word "syndrome?"

By Douglas Hanna

Check out the word "syndrome" in the Merriam-Webster online dictionary and you will find this definition:

"1 : a group of signs and symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular abnormality

2 : a set of concurrent things (as emotions or actions) that usually form an identifiable pattern"

The important part of this is not the first definition, but the second which refers to concurrent things such as "emotions that usually form an identifiable pattern." And the reason that this is important is because Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) was first thought of as a psychological problem (thus an emotional syndrome) and not a disease at all. In other words, when people complained of the symptoms of CFS, doctors thought it was "all in their heads."

Over the years, most doctors and researchers came to recognize that Chronic Fatigue was, in fact, a disease, and, in 1988, the term "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" was coined to describe it. This term is now used increasingly over other such terms as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), which was introduced in an attempt to reduce the psychiatric stigma attached to the term "chronic fatigue."

Even today, CFS remains a controversial diagnosis. This is because some physicians believe that it represents the physical manifestation of depression. However, there is no hard evidence to support this theory and while anti-depressants may help with the sleep disorder symptom of CFS but do not cure it.

In 1994, the CDC determined that a diagnosis of CFS requires that the patient show incapacitating fatigue, unexplained by any medical cause, that has lasted for at least six months and that is not improved by rest.

In addition, the patient must show at least four of the following eight symptoms.

* Impairment of short-term memory and concentration
* Sore throat
* Tender lymph nodes
* Muscle pain
* Multi-joint pain
* Headaches of a new type, pattern or severity
* Unrefreshing sleep
* Post-exertional malaise (fatigue lasting more than 24 hours after exertion

If you or a friend or relative who shows these symptoms. make sure that he or she is seen by a doctor qualified to treat CFS. If you do not know such a doctor, you might contact your local CFS support group for a recommendation.

CFS may not be curable, but there are things that patients can do minimize its effect on their lives.

Douglas Hanna is the editor and publisher of the web site, http://www.chronic-fatigue-advisor.com He is also an expert author who has written more than 125 articles on a variety of subjects.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Douglas_Hanna

Posted by Editor at 10:46 PM | Permalink

When you are allergic to a particular food your body initially reacts with alarm and the symptoms are very clear.

By Jack Prime

You may notice headaches and migraines, abdominal bloating or cramps, frequent diarrhoea or constipation, eczema or other skin problems, painful swelling of joints, unexplained mood swings, depression or anxiety, swollen hands, ankles, feet, eyes, face, unexplained weight gain or loss, catarrh, sinus congestion, runny nose or constant fatigue.

The amazing thing about the human body is that it works remarkably well in coping with a food allergy at the initial time of reaction and after a short period the symptoms may not be as extreme or indeed the initial symptoms may not appear at all.

The problem is that whilst the offending foods are still eaten the body is having to cope with the food allergy on an ongoing basis and as part of this process the adrenal glands produce adrenalin and cortisone to keep the body working.

Over time the adrenal glands gradually become exhausted from the continuing effort of having to cope and this will leave you feeling exhausted and suffering from fatigue.

The other surprising fact about food allergies is that the sufferer typically feels BETTER when they eat the offending food, and if the allergen food is eaten regularly you may even feel a sense of "elation".

Unfortunately, this explains why the foods that are causing you the most harm are normally the ones that you crave to eat.

Not surprisingly, a result of this food allergy mechanism is a lack of energy and fatigue, as your body is constantly trying to deal with the food that is causing all the distress.

Once the body has run out of resources to fight and adapt any more you will enter a stage of exhaustion due to the immune system becoming damaged and the adrenal glands being diminished.

Many people visit their doctors or health care practitioner at this stage complaining of constant fatigue, bloating and depression without understanding that the cause may be a food allergy.

The important fact to remember is that a food allergy is often overlooked or missed in a diagnosis when fatigue or exhaustion is an issue. If you have tried all you can to improve your energy, even if you have no symptoms of a food allergy, it is worth testing for one on the chance the food allergy symptoms may be hidden.

If you do have a food allergy and you do not detect it you could face poor health and continued fatigue as a result.

For further advice on fatigue and allergies, visit Allergies and Fatigue.

For help, advice and support on coping with Fatigue and Exhaustion visit the Fatigue Treatment website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Prime

Posted by Editor at 10:44 PM | Permalink

The real causes of fatigue are still unknown, but doctors and scientists know what factors usually precede them. Read on to understand these factors so that you can find ways to avoid them.

By Josh Riverside

Life changes. Life-altering events can cause mental and physical fatigue. Among the many fatigue-inducing events, divorce is still takes the lead. Divorce causes a lot of stress, and when it is not eliminated, can eventually lead to chronic fatigue.

Other life changes that cause fatigue are bereavement and grief for a lost loved one, unemployment and job instability, a serious illness, working with unreasonable employers, and many others. Studies find more and more people are worried about money, causing them to feel constant pressure and stress –leading to chronic fatigue. Some people are also born ‘natural worriers,’ which causes constant fatigue.

Substances. Some substances may also cause fatigue. Alcohol and the artificial sweetener called ‘aspartame’ are just two of the many culprits.

Hormonal imbalances. The cause of fatigue for women may be hormonal imbalances, according to recent studies. In fact, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of hormonal imbalance, and 80 percent of women in their perimenopause and menopause stages are fatigued. The hormonal imbalances cause women to have sudden hot flashes, and night sweats leading to disrupted sleep that leads to fatigue.

Diet and stress add to the adrenal insufficiency experienced by women at this age. This, in turn, affects the thyroid function and melatonin production. Some women tend to be ‘yo-yo’ dieters, or have very unhealthy eating habits, which causes them to suffer from insulin resistance and low metabolism. These factors inevitably lead to fatigue as well.

Fatigue provides detailed information on Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Causes Of Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue Treatment and more. Fatigue is affiliated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatments.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Josh_Riverside

Posted by Editor at 10:42 PM | Permalink

Fatigue is extremely common in patients who have arthritis. While it is a common complaint in patients who have “bread and butter” types of arthritis like osteoarthritis, it is even more common in patients who have inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Fatigue is often a sign of a flare of disease.

By Nathan Wei

Another condition often accompanied by fatigue is fibromyalgia.

There are many factors that may be responsible for fatigue.

Sometimes it is the body’s method for dealing with a chronic painful condition. The body craves rest because it uses so much energy to combat the pain.

Another common reason is that arthritis often interrupts sleep. Not only is it more difficult to get to sleep but patients will wake up during the night, they will have difficulty falling back to sleep, and they will awaken early in the morning. This early morning awakening may also signal the presence of depression which is also a common problem in patients who have arthritis. Depression is also a cause of fatigue in patients with arthritis.

A corollary to this is stress. Stress not only aggravates the pain of arthritis; it can also aggravate fatigue.

Patients with more serious types of disease may have anemia which compounds the fatigue problem.

Medications can also contribute to fatigue. For instance some patients who are on methotrexate often report a “washed-out” feeling that occurs for one to two days after taking their methotrexate dose.

Fatigue has a major impact on the life of a person with arthritis. It causes daytime sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and limits interpersonal relationships. Participating in all types of activities becomes more difficult. Also, some people fall into a nasty cycle of feeling tired, taking a nap during the day, which prevents them from getting to sleep that night.

So what can be done?

The most important thing is to get the arthritis under good control. That often improves fatigue by itself. Effective medications often make a big difference!

Correcting anemia is another action step. Sometimes the anemia will correct itself when the disease is controlled. Other times iron deficiency or other problems need to be addressed.

Improving the quality of sleep can help. Changing to a mattress made of memory foam is reported by some patients to be useful.

Getting into a regular sleep cycle is a good idea. Avoid large meals and caffeinated beverages before going to sleep. Sounds like common sense but too many people don’t follow common sense rules1

Medicines that adversely affect sleep like prednisone and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) should be taken in the morning rather than in the evening.

A nice hot bath or shower before going to bed sometimes is helpful. Using warm moist heating pads is also a nice thing to try. Getting into a regular relaxing routine that consists of reading, listening to soft music, etc. can also ensure good quality sleep.

Regular exercise is another contributor to good quality sleep. Lack of exercise often causes fatigue. Regular exercise provides more energy, increases stamina, and improves sleep.

Stress reduction is an obvious benefit.

Eating a well-balanced diet can also contribute to less fatigue.

Patients should try to avoid prescription sleeping pills if possible. Herbal remedies may be useful though.

Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland (http://www.aocm.org). He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com/arthritis-and-pain.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_Wei

Posted by Editor at 10:38 PM | Permalink