CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

CFS is often referred to as M.E. or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis.

It is a illness also referred to as weakening illness

The sufferer experiences long term fatigue

This condition does not improve with sleep

Other side effects - concentration difficulties, sensitivity to bright lights

Estimations vary around at any one time 250 - 270,000 people in the UK alone suffer from CFS.

This illness it is most common among women usually between the ages of 20s to mid 40s.

Diagnosis - CFS

Fatigue is the indicator above the wide range of additional symptoms and side effects

Fatigue that makes the syndrome difficult to diagnose

Due to fatigue being a symptom of so many other illnesses it is this reason it is usually overlooked

No test which can diagnose or determine the condition

Best way forward is to eliminate other possibilities; this is conducted through tests and examinations

Followed by a certain criteria outlining symptoms, these symptoms can be there to determine the presence of CFS

The criteria states :

Clinically evaluated, unexplained, persistent and relapsing chronic fatigue not associated to any of the following - over exertion, no alleviation by rest resulting in reduced ability to carry out and even participate in usual, average everyday tasks and activities of the patient could be very well the indicator of this type of syndrome.

Symptoms - CFS

Symptoms vary

The variations are severity from person to person

Least affected are still able to care for themselves

Least affected possibly requiring days off work to rest

Those who are moderately effected may possibly experience reduction in mobility and light to severe disturbed sleep patterns

Severe symptoms sufferers are unable to carry out the usual every day chores / tasks like taking care of their hygiene, they usually require the use of a wheelchair.

Very severe symptoms have the inability to do their everyday tasks as they require enormous amounts of bed rest for the majority of the day, they can’t handle the noise levels around them or bright lights

If you believe you are suffering with CFS you would have to consider if you have been experiencing chronic fatigue for at least four months with no other medical condition identified as the cause.

Possible symptoms experienced, with exhibiting one or more of the following :

• chest pain
• chronic cough
• irregular heartbeat
• multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
• muscle aches
• muscle pain
• nausea
• night sweats
• shortness of breath

As well as:

Abdominal pain and digestive disturbances – symptoms similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Chronic headaches – a common symptom of CFS - sufferers report a heightened severity in pain and headaches are more frequent

Cognitive impairments – poor concentration, short term memory loss, inability of clear thinking, organise yourself, articulate yourself

Intolerance – often lack tolerance to exercise, may feel energetic before exercise usually become extremely exhausted immediately making it impossible to continue

Light and sound heightened sensitivity – common everyday noise will be experienced as extremely loud and overwhelming

Psychological problems experienced – anxiety, depression, irritability, panic attacks

Often misdiagnosed by doctors due to the anxiety and depression

Recurring sore throat – diagnosed as a viral infection which is thought to play a role in the cause of the illness

Sleep – inability to sleep, disrupted sleeping patterns, too much sleep, waking early and deprived sleep / not feeling revived and refreshed

Over powering fatigue – severe tiredness limiting everyday activities, sleep and good rest does not ease symptoms or other illness such as depression

CFS possible causes

There has been a number of studies in an attempt to discover the cause and contributing factors, very little has been found or discovered.

Researchers have a theory this illness could be related to a person’s gene's, their susceptibility to stress, viral infection, anxiety, depression and or major stressful life events may well act as a trigger for CFS to develop when individuals are susceptible from the various stress and taxing levels.

Contributing factors:

contraction of the illness include viral infections

glandular fever which is something that occurs in many sufferers

genetics influences

CFS commonly appear within the other family member/s

similar symptoms within family members such as exhaustion, anxiety, mental stress, depression and a traumatic event

Experts recommend to avoid stress, environmental pollution, unhealthy drinking, unhealthy eating, avoiding fitness or physical activity and viral and bacterial infections.

Treatment for CFS

As time passes many experience their symptoms improving over time, this allows those recovering to resume their everyday activities and their life, it is possible some may never recover or may experience a relapse.

Experts do not know what causes CFS as it is difficult to find a cure as there is no specific medicine designed intended to treat this illness there are particular medications which may assist in relieving specific symptoms, for instance painkillers for muscle ache and antidepressants.

There are various medical approaches, however sufferers are encouraged to pursue alternative complementary therapies, these care behavioural therapy, counselling and support groups, physiotherapy, etc. these may assist in improving both a physical and emotional symptoms.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming and hypnotherapy most certainly be used in conjunction with other therapies and medication assisting addresses certain aspects of this illness. These are fatigue, motivation, confidence issues, self-esteem, stress, memory of a trauma, and other side effects and symptoms.

NLP is a modality or therapeutic technique programming the unconscious mind by removing or adjusting specific or general any unconscious patterns of thought and behaviour, resulting in the altering of particular psychological responses.

Hypnotherapy is a powerful aid as it works to assist a sufferer in identifying and understanding particular factors influencing and heightening symptoms, by accomplishing this one is able to assist the sufferer to be able to resolve any internal conflict (resolving internal conflict resolves external conflict), relationship issues, any other relationship type issues and any other over looked underlying issues revealed in order to clear the mind of negative emotions.