Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Overview
Pain, Fatigue, Numbness and Tingling, and Cognitive Dysfunction are Symptoms
Copyright © 2014 Kelly Smith; all rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without authors written permission; Authors Google profile; Posted January 21, 2014
Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are conditions whose causes and origins have not been conclusively defined by the medical community. In fact, the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the symptoms of Fibromyalgia overlap.
At this time it is unclear if there is any correlation between the two conditions or if they are both slightly different faces of the same disease.
Both Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia are afflicted with some form of sleep disturbance and fatigue. In either case it is common to prescribe some form of medication to establish normal sleep patterns and minimize daytime fatigue.
Managing Muscle Pain
Another trait that both diseases share is muscle pain. There are various ways to address this issue and in many cases the best approach is to use a combination of techniques. For example, there are a variety of suitable medications which may be prescribed to alleviate the pain.
In conjunction with medication the doctor may recommend some mild form of exercise. Both pool exercise in warm water and yoga have shown to be excellent methods to provide relief.
One note of caution however: the amount of exercise should be approached prudently. Some patients experience severe fatigue after exertion.
Hampered by Brain Fog
Brain fog is a condition experienced by many sufferers of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. This is a condition in which ones concentration is impaired and cognitive abilities are compromised.
A definitive treatment for this has yet to be devised but several methods have been shown to help. Biofeedback is one such method and the same anti-depressants used for the patients sleep therapy has been beneficial in a number of cases.
One reason these conditions are so hard to nail down is that other symptoms may manifest in a mix and match fashion. These may include difficulty with swallowing, bowel and bladder abnormalities, numbness and tingling, and cognitive dysfunction.
Certain Foods can Aggravate Medical Conditions
Diet is a primary issue with either of the two diseases. It is advisable to consult with a nutritionist who is familiar with the conditions. There are foods to avoid which are particular to specific cases and also those that might aggravate most patients. These include caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods.
Living well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia is by no means an easy task. There is no area of a patients life which the diseases do not impact.
These areas include economic, social, mood, family, and work—all are interrelated. Although many patients incomes are severely affected getting benefits can sometimes be daunting.
The best course of action is to follow the doctors instructions, monitor your general health and activities, and develop or join a support group.
For the rest of the series of articles on this topic, go to page 1 2 3 4 5
More Trending Articles
- The 24 Most Common Childhood Illnesses
- 3 Herbal Teas for Immune System Support
- Understanding Nutrition Labels and Serving Size
- Dental Implant Surgery
Visit Kelly's profile on Pinterest.
Website © 2011 KSmith Media, LLC; all rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without written permission.