What should you not say to someone with chronic fatigue?

Don't say: We all get tired

"They will say, 'Oh yeah we all get tired,' or, 'Come on it's just half an hour, you'll be fine,'" she says. "It's frustrating having to justify things the whole time and sometimes it can be quite upsetting. "It's not intended to hurt, it's just thoughtlessness."

How do you comfort someone with chronic fatigue syndrome?

The most effective strategy is to take more rest than usual, storing up energy by taking extra rest before the event, limiting symptoms by taking extra rest during and taking whatever extra rest is needed afterwards. You can help by understanding your loved one's need for more rest at these times.

What must a person with chronic fatigue do in order to overcome it?

You may need low-dose antidepressant therapy or a referral to a mental health provider. If lifestyle changes don't give you a restful night's sleep, your doctor may suggest a sleep aid. Pain-reducing medication can also help you cope with aches and joint pain caused by CFS.

What does a CFS crash feel like?

This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM). People with ME/CFS often describe this experience as a “crash,” “relapse,” or “collapse.” During PEM, any ME/CFS symptoms may get worse or first appear, including difficulty thinking, problems sleeping, sore throat, headaches, feeling dizzy, or severe tiredness.

Is walking good for chronic fatigue?

The energy demands of walking can be significantly greater for people with CFS/ME compared with other people. But regular walks, even if for only a few minutes, may help people with CFS/ME get moving in a manageable way.

WHAT NOT TO SAY TO SOMEONE WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Does CFS get worse with age?

It is possible that individuals with CFS may lose vitality over time due to worse physical functioning as it becomes more challenging for them to do functional tasks as the illness progresses.

What mimics chronic fatigue syndrome?

Similar Medical Conditions

A number of illnesses have been described that have a similar spectrum of symptoms to CFS. These include fibromyalgia syndrome, myalgic encephalomyelitis, neurasthenia, multiple chemical sensitivities, and chronic mononucleosis.

Is chronic fatigue a mental illness?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a "serious, debilitating" condition with a cluster of clear physical symptoms — not a psychological illness — a panel of experts reported Tuesday as it called for more research into a disease that may affect as many as 2.5 million Americans.

Can you drive with chronic fatigue syndrome?

So I think it's important to start off by pointing out that people with ME/CFS have a number of symptoms – muscle fatigue/weakness, cognitive dysfunction, blurred vision or difficulty following moving images, and daytime fatigue/sleepiness in particular – that can or will affect their ability to safely drive a car. .

How long does a CFS flare up last?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can't be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn't improve with rest.

Is chronic fatigue syndrome fatal?

We identified 2147 cases of chronic fatigue syndrome in CRIS with 17 deaths. Of them, 1533 patients were women of whom 11 died, and 614 were men of whom six died. Eight deaths were from malignant neoplasm, five from suicide, and four from other causes.

Does chronic fatigue go away?

There is no cure or approved treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, some symptoms can be treated or managed. Treating these symptoms might provide relief for some patients with ME/CFS but not others.

Which is worse CFS or fibromyalgia?

They're both considered central sensitivity syndromes, with both involving fatigue, pain, and cognitive dysfunction. Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) is more often tied to immune-system abnormalities than fibromyalgia. And fibromyalgia is generally more painful than ME/CFS.

Is CFS an autoimmune disease?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Autoimmune Disorder of the Neuroendocrine System.

How do you get energy with chronic fatigue?

A diet rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, avoiding saturated fats and refined carbohydrates—like the Mediterranean Diet—is reported by many people with ME/CFS to be helpful. Eat several small meals throughout the day. For example, three meals and three snacks might help keep energy levels up.

Is chronic fatigue a symptom of PTSD?

Additionally, World Psychiatry explains that the same part of the brain is involved in some PTSD, chronic pain and chronic fatigue issues. This means fatigue can be a primary symptom of PTSD, and that PTSD often co-occurs with physical pain and other health issues.

Can Chinese medicine help with chronic fatigue?

Chinese crude drugs that can improve the symptoms of CFS have already been studied for a long time, especially drugs with the effect of invigorating qi and yang. At present, Ginseng root (Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.) has been the most widely researched herb for fatigue or CFS.

What kind of doctor should I see for extreme fatigue?

Doctors might refer patients to see a specialist, like a neurologist, rheumatologist, or a sleep specialist, to check for other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Does CFS qualify for disability?

Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are able to work and have a job that is flexible and meets their needs. However, if you have CFS and are unable to work, you can apply for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) .

Does chronic fatigue syndrome show up in blood tests?

With blood samples from 40 people — 20 with chronic fatigue syndrome and 20 without — the test yielded precise results, accurately flagging all chronic fatigue syndrome patients and none of the healthy individuals. The diagnostic platform could even help identify possible drugs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome.

How does CFS affect the brain?

The findings show that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have decreased activation of an area of the brain known as the basal ganglia in response to reward. Additionally, the extent of this lowered activation was associated with each patient's measured level of fatigue.

Can CFS mimic MS?

[15] found that among MS, CFS and Lupus patients, those with MS were the most similar to CFS in terms of impairment due to fatigue and reductions in activity.

Can Covid cause chronic fatigue syndrome?

TUESDAY, Nov. 30, 2021 (HealthDay News) -- The often debilitating condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome appears to be common among COVID-19 long-haulers.

What is the life expectancy of someone with ME CFS?

It should be noted that individuals with ME and CFS are reportedly dying at a younger age compared to the overall population. However, only all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality reached statistical significance. The all-cause mean age of death for this sample was 55.9 years.

Does CFS affect the heart?

Some heart-related abnormalities can indicate that you have CFS; in fact, many with CFS have an unusually high heart rate and low blood pressure after standing for a while, but this may be more due to altered automatic nerve reflexes. To be clear, CFS does not cause a heart attack.