Chronic fatigue syndrome is when a person feels tired no matter how much they rest. It is a common disease that does not usually go away with rest, lasts longer than 6 months, affects the musculoskeletal system and many systems. The difference of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome from other fatigue diseases is that the cause of the disease is not known exactly. Therefore, to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome, medical history, physical examination, mental state and laboratory findings should be evaluated.
In chronic fatigue, work efficiency decreases and the person becomes reluctant, which takes him away from his social life. chronic fatigue; It is a problem that makes the person unhappy with effects such as reluctance, powerlessness, not being able to start a job, and the desire to sleep constantly. Although it looks like a psychological disorder, it is often due to factors such as vitamin and mineral deficiency or slow metabolism. Therefore, organic causes must be investigated. At first, this feeling of tiredness is accompanied by a slight decrease in energy. Over time, the person may become unable to do their daily work. Patients feel emotionally exhausted and incapable of doing anything. It is even possible that the person will become needy of care in the future.
On the other hand, they may also experience physical problems such as nausea, muscle aches, lack of concentration and forgetfulness. In other words, chronic fatigue is a problem that negatively affects a person’s daily life. A person’s school success, work life and social life are damaged due to these negative effects.
What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue?
Common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:
- Persistent fatigue and sleepiness, chronic fatigue for more than 6 months from unknown causes, fatigue that does not go away with rest,
- Muscle and joint pains that are not related to an obvious rheumatic disease and these pains are severe enough to limit the daily activities of the person,
- Throat ache,
- Stomach ache,
- energy loss,
- nausea and vomiting,
- Hypersensitivity to sound, noise, light, environmental factors,
- Forgetfulness and decline in cognitive performance. or forgetfulness and accompanying concentration problems
- Disturbances in sleep pattern and quality, inability to “sleep” despite sleeping for 5-8 hours,
- Weakening of the immune system,
- Intestinal disorders,
- Negative attitudes towards work and social life,
- constant restlessness,
- experiencing depression or lightheadedness
Therefore, to fatigue; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is called “Chronic Neuroendocrine Immune Dysfunction” in some medical communities because it can accompany immunological (allergic similar), rheumatic (joint, waist, back, muscle pains) and neuropsychiatric (sleep disorder, difficulty concentrating) symptoms.
Some of the diseases that cause chronic fatigue are as follows;
Anemia: Anemia is the most common disease group in which fatigue is seen. Because the lack of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen, causes the person to feel tired and sluggish. In this case, the person should definitely have a specialist doctor examination and necessary examinations. With the necessary treatment planning, the feeling of fatigue disappears after anemia is eliminated.
Thyroid diseases: Thyroid diseases, especially hypothyroidism, cause the person to feel very tired. Again, diabetics from endocrine diseases are also tired all the time. These people feel tired, weary and powerless. Even their daily life can be interrupted when their sugar levels are high.
Heart diseases: Weakness and fatigue are also one of the most important symptoms of heart failure. In fact, it is among the earliest signs of heart diseases. Whether it is valve lesion or cardiovascular diseases, these cause fatigue as they prevent the heart from meeting its oxygen needs. Even if a person climbs one flight of stairs, he gets tired, his legs are cut off, he is out of breath.
Infectious diseases: Infectious diseases that occur in the body for various reasons are also common causes of fatigue.
Metabolic diseases: In cases such as kidney failure, liver failure, high calcium and low potassium, decreases in blood salts and minerals in the body can cause fatigue. Early treatment of these diseases and conditions is very important.
Cancer: Fatigue can also be a symptom of some early oncological diseases. Cancer cells can cause fatigue by disrupting all body systems of the patient. For example, if he has anemia or disrupts nutrition, it can cause fatigue.
Sleep disorders: Sleep disorders are one of the most important problems that impair quality of life. Sleep apnea is one of the important causes of fatigue. Adequate quality sleep can occur as a result of fatigue, repetitive and prolonged stress, sleep problems, depression and some other psychological problems. Fatigue can also occur as a result of repetitive and prolonged stress, sleep problems, depression and some other psychological problems. People who cannot sleep will feel extremely tired the next day. This is reflected in all activities during the day.
Depression and stress: Psychosomatic diseases such as depression come second among the diseases that cause fatigue. Depression can also make people feel tired.
Treatment in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is no definite treatment and preventive measures for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Therefore, it is not helpful to recommend treatment methods with serious and expensive side effects to patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. For this, lifestyle changes, medications for symptoms and regular health checks are helpful in treatment. Treatment steps in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are handled in two ways as pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment methods.
a- Non-Pharmacological Treatment Methods
1- Lifestyle Changes:
a) Exercise: The purpose of exercise in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; to increase activity capacity by 20% in two to three weeks. The activities in the exercise program should be moderately weighted and should be arranged in a way that does not exceed 3-5 minutes and should be increased gradually. Excessive activities should be avoided in the exercise program and planning should be done according to the energy level of the patients.
b) Diet: The purpose of diet therapy; To create a hypoallergenic diet for the individual, to ensure that substances such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and essential fatty acids, which have important functions in nutrition, are taken in certain proportions according to the symptoms. Nutritional support has an important place in the improvement of chronic fatigue program. adequate food intake; In addition to providing relaxation to the body by stimulating the immune system, hormones and supportive system, good blood circulation and oxygen entry into the body are also necessary for vitality and energy. Therefore, if adequate nutritional support cannot be provided, the treatment of chronic fatigue becomes difficult. However, if the basic food intake is regulated according to the symptoms at certain rates, the result of the treatment program of chronic fatigue will be satisfactory. It is recommended that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome should be fed with foods low in animal fat and mostly fruit and vegetables. It is stated that it is beneficial to add fish oil to the diet because it is effective in reducing the symptoms seen in patients. Adding salt to the diet or increasing its amount may be beneficial in those with low blood pressure. If there is an allergy or intolerance to the foods added to the diet in the patients; In order to determine these foods, it may be necessary to remove or add them from the diet at certain times. A method in the dietary treatment of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: restoring the balance in the intestines, removing unwanted microorganisms in the intestines. (eg, parasites, molds, fungi) is ensured by the formation of beneficial bacteria (eg: probiotics) and the restoration of the intestinal mucosa to its functions. To ensure the development of this restoration process; Vitamin and mineral supplements are given to patients intravenously.
c) Stress Reducing Techniques: In reducing stress; deep breathing exercises. hot-cold application muscle relaxation techniques, meditation, yoga, hypnosis, biofeedback, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and fairy tales are techniques that can be useful. However, they are inappropriate techniques in the primary treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
d) Interpersonal Communication: Strong, supportive family and friend relationships play an important role in the recovery of patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
2- Cognitive Treatment: The main purpose of cognitive treatment is; To change the disorders in patients’ perception of the world and themselves, to help patients to use all their strengths in coping with stressful situations and in disease management, to learn different thoughts about fatigue.
b) Pharmacological Treatment:
Since symptoms vary from individual to individual in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it is recommended that drug therapy be handled individually and started at a low dose.
1- Antidepressant and Anxiolytic drugs
2- Pain Relievers (Analgesics)
3- Antiviral drugs
4- Hypotension drugs
5- Hormone Therapy
6- Alternative Treatments
7- Experimental Treatments; vitamins. special diets, gamy globulin infusion. high colony lavxnans and other treatments
Which Foods Can Be Used in Combating Chronic Fatigue?
Banana: It is an extremely rich fruit in terms of folic acid, potassium and vitamin B6. Potassium prevents cramps and is good for fatigue.
Pomegranate: Strengthens the body. It strengthens the heart. Those with stomach, intestinal diseases, small children and pregnant women should not eat too much.
Broccoli: It is a great vegetable that protects us against cancer and prolongs our life. Since it contains a large amount of calcium, it is perfect against osteoporosis. Broccoli, which eliminates mineral and iron deficiencies, is a storehouse of vitamins.
Tomato: It is a vegetable that protects against cancer and slows down aging mentally and physically. Contains vitamins C and E. Tomatoes are a rich source of potassium and contain very little salt.
Rosehip: It is friendly to the eyes due to its very intense vitamin richness. It gives vitality to the body. 100 grams of rose hips contain vitamin C equivalent to a crate of oranges. It is a good rickets remedy, an effective blood purifier.
Cabbage: It is one of the vegetables known to be effective against cancer. It contains plenty of B, C, E vitamins and potassium. It is especially effective against breast and uterine cancer.
Yogurt: It is important for the regular functioning of the digestive system. It balances blood sugar with its satiety feature. It also stimulates the immune system.
Onions and Garlic: They reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Onion, the risk of stomach cancer; Garlic also reduces the risk of developing bowel cancer. The substances in the yeast of garlic prevent the cells from being damaged and protect the body against premature aging.
Walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts: They contain vitamin E and have high antioxidant properties.
Coenzyme Q1- NADH: It is a support with good results, especially in cases of fatigue with depression.
Coenzyme Q10: It reduces fatigue by increasing energy production in the mitochondria, the energy production center of the cell.
Magnesium: It provides serious benefits in chronic fatigue syndrome accompanied by muscle pain.
B Group Vitamins: Especially vitamin B12 can be used. This group of vitamins are supplements that support the immune system and increase the production of blood cells.
Vitamin D: Vitamin D deficiency causes general fatigue in the person. It is a vitamin that must be supplemented, especially in winter.
Ginkgo Biloba: Regulates circulation – even partially used for brain-related problems.
Vitamin C: Supports the adrenal gland, strengthens immunity, increases tissue healing.
Liquorice Root (Liquorice): The use of licorice extracts as a fatigue support is very old. Supports the adrenal gland. Those with hypertension problems should use it carefully.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): It is widely used all over the world in the fight against depression, thanks to its strengthening by nourishing the nervous system.
Echinacea and Astragalus: These two herbal supplements can be used in those with long-term fatigue problems, especially if accompanied by immune system problems.
If you do not get tired of these support products and recommendations within two weeks, then it would be beneficial to consult a physician. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease with treatment.
