Stress tends to set off major physical reactions that create chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia (many do not differentiate between the two). Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome that involves chronic fatigue, generalized muscle aching, and stiffness. According to the 2000 American College of Rheumatology Fact Sheet, two percent of the United States population, primarily women of childbearing age, are affected by this syndrome.
Although criteria for the classification of fibromyalgia have been established, controversy exists as to whether this diagnosis represents a unique syndrome. The cause is unknown and no pathologic characteristics have been identified that are specific for the condition.
Treatment consists of attention to the specific symptoms reported by the patient. Some nursing aids may be used to treat the diffuse muscle aching and stiffness.
Tricycles antidepressants are used to improve or restore normal sleep patterns and individualized programs of exercise are used to decrease muscle weakness and discomfort and to improve the general deconditioning that occurs in these individuals.
Managing Treatment
Typically, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have endured their symptoms for a long period. They may if feel their symptoms have not been taken seriously. Nurses need to pay special attention to supporting these individuals and providing encouragement as they begin their program of therapy.
Patients support groups may be helpful. Careful listening to patient’s descriptions of their concerns and symptoms is essential to helping them make changes necessary to improve their quality of life.
The first step to minimizing fibromyalgia, is to develop an awareness of when and how the condition affects you. Then, take time to learn a few relaxation techniques and deep breathing. To facilitate healing, take time to perform these simple treatments.
1. Catch an afternoon nap
Experts say that people who get the afternoon swoon to put the phone on voice mail, turn the ringer off, and steal a 20 to 30-minute snooze.
The later in the day you nap, the more likely you will enter deep sleep, so it is better you nap in the early or midafternoon. The longer you sleep, the greater the chance you will enter deep sleep and wake up groggy and worse than before.
Personally speaking, this is actually effective. But unfortunately it’s quite hard to take a nap when you’re at work.
2. Watch your meds
Staying energized means paying close attention to everything that goes into your mouth, medications included. Antihistamines, high blood pressure drugs, and cough suppressants can all make you tired. But plenty of other common medicines can also leave you feeling lethargic.
Many people assume that their fatigue is coming from headache, arthritis, or whatever and do not realize that it is really coming from the medications. If you are taking medicine and often find yourself feeling groggy or low on energy, it is highly recommended that you should talk to your doctor about the side effects of medications and asking for alternatives to drugs that may be sapping your energy.
Again, this too I have felt. From my experience, medications that make people drowsy have a much stronger effect on people suffering from CFS. Not much we can do about it though.
3. Break out boredom
It is all about exercise that is refreshing versus exercise that is not. That is why it is important to find some exercise that is enjoyable or challenging. Taking regular breaks throughout the week to engage in some exercise or other physically demanding, but interesting, activities should help prevent chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia.
It is important to note that some doctors say that execrise may actually make CFS worse (temporarily) for some peolpe. So be wary – if you feel noticably more tired after exercise, consult with your doctor.
4. Feed the machine
Often, even the modest calorie restriction can lead to marginal vitamin levels. And if you are short on vitamins, you may feel tired as a result.
Consuming fewer than 1,800 calories per day is a risk factor for low-nutrient intake simply because nutrient intake is tied to calorie intake. Most health experts advices dieters who eat fewer than 1,800 calories per day must learn to take multivitamin or mineral supplement.
Fibromyalgia is a medical emergency necessitating early diagnosis and appropriate treatment to eliminate the causative factor; otherwise, the joint may be destroyed relatively quickly.
So the next time you feel stressed out, never hesitate to ask for a rest. The treatment of fibromyalgia is focused on the physiologic mechanisms that must be understood in the context of the body as a whole. The person, as a living system, has both an internal and an external environment, between which information and matter are continuously exchanged.
Hence, the goal of treating and managing chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia is best achieved within the interaction of the body’s subsystem to produce a dynamic balance or steady state. In this way, all subsystems are in harmony with each other and the probabilities of developing fibromyalgia are lessened.
Although the following book may be somewhat exaggerated How to Reduce Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Using Natural Medicine (though I don’t know, I haven’t tried all the methods myself), it has some useful tips that are helpful.
Author: Lee Dobbins
Lee Dobbins writes for http://chronicfatigue.topicgiant.com where you can learn about causes, symptoms and treatments for Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia.
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