Could improving your sleep lessen the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)?<\/p>\n
\nby: Wendy Owen
\nOur aim here is to understand the connection between the two as it may be possible to confuse the symptoms of CFS and sleep deprivation. There are however definite differences.
\nChronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms
\nThe main symptom of CFS and probably the hardest to live with, is constant and persistent fatigue lasting 6 months or more. Others include:
\n* Feeling feverish
\n* Sore throat
\n* Muscle aches and pains
\n* Tender or swollen lymph nodes
\n* Joint pain
\n* More headaches than usual
\n* Abnormal lethargy after exercise
\n* Poor concentration
\n* Depression
\n* Poor quality sleep
\nAlthough not everyone who suffers with CFS will display all of the above, two or more of these symptoms would definitely bear further investigation. By contrast, sleep deprived people would not usually experience swollen lymph nodes, joint pain, feverishness or sore throat.
\nCFS often follows a bout of flu or other respiratory disease. It’s onset can be quite sudden following recovery of the initial disease. It occurs more frequently in middle age and elderly people, and twice as often in women as men. Sleep deprivation is not so choosey! It can affect male, female and all ages alike.
\nCFS is a debilitating illness which is hard to diagnose due to the symptoms being non specific. Also the symptoms described by the sufferers often cannot be verified. For instance, patients often describe feeling feverish although their temperature is normal.
\nRecent studies indicate CFS may in fact be an immune disorder due to inflammation of the immune system, but there are medical practitioners who still believe it to be a disease of “malingerers”. In fact some of those suffering with CFS often wonder sometimes if they are imagining their symptoms. But CFS is very real and can lead to broken marriages and wrecked careers.
\nIt is very important for those who suspect they have CFS to seek medical attention straight away. If you feel your doctor is not taking you seriously, get a second and even a third opinion. It helps if you have been seeing the same doctor for some time, as they know you and can recognize that you are not a “hypochondriac” or a time waster looking for sympathy.
\nCFS is certainly not new, although the association of symptoms under the name Chronic Fatigue Syndrome only took place in the 1990s. Previously it was largely overlooked or thought to be something else, for example low blood sugar, Lyme disease, allergies, fybromyalgia, yeast infections etc.
\nChronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
\nThese vary from antidepressants, steroids, immune system medications and anti-histamines to the more holistic treatments like evening primrose oil, diet therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, removal of dental fillings (mercury poisoning) and gentle exercise programs.
\nAlthough lack of a definite treatment for CFS leaves a lot to be desired, the above treatments, whether all or a combination, can prove fairly effective. The broad answer seems to be to treat the symptoms as they occur and make the effort to improve quality of sleep.
\nThe quality of sleep of patients must have a direct effect on the severity of the disease. If depression is the main problem, treatment of that can significantly improve the quality of sleep, thus relieving somewhat the persistent fatigue.
\nIn conclusion. a combination of better quality sleep with gentle exercise, optimal diet and cognitive behavioural therapy would go a long way to improving the lives of patients with CFS.
\nThis article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please see your health care provider.
\nCopyright 2005 Wendy Owen
\nAbout The Author
\nWant to know how to have better sleep? Find out how! Sign up for our monthly ezine and score our free book \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How to Cure Insomnia and Achieve Healthy Sleep\u00e2\u20ac\u009d at: http:\/\/www.insomnia-connection.com your resource for detailed information on better sleep and curing stress. The author, Wendy Owen, has had a lifetime interest in general and alternative health as well as being an ex insomniac<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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