As knowledge grows in the medical community about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome so do the different approaches developed to help sufferers to cope and find relief. Ultimately it would be wonderful if there was one single treatment that would result in a cure. Unfortunately for many there is the possibility that even with the treatments available they may never fully recover from this condition.
Other individuals have had the experience of recovering in an almost spontaneous fashion. Even with these people however, there exists the possibility that the illness will recur, especially in conjunction with another serious illness or perhaps during a low, stressful time in their lives.
Doctors and other health care professionals may choose an approach to treatment that combines prescription drugs, physical and emotional therapies and alternative medicine. As each case will present itself in a unique fashion the first thing will be to establish with the patient what symptoms associated with CFS are causing them the greatest distress.
Some of the primary symptoms apart from the deep fatigue are - sleep disorders, muscle and joint pain, headaches, an inability to concentrate properly, gastrointestinal issues, sore throats, depression and allergies. The doctor will try to tailor the health management plan according to what the patient feels are causing the most disruptive or disabling problems in their life.
If the prescription medicines are applied it is important to note that many CFS sufferers tend to be sensitive to medications. In particular - sedatives. So to begin, the doctor may prescribe lower dosages to see how the patient will react and go from there. Because all medicine comes with some side effects it is important for both doctor and patient to monitor their reaction so that the already existing health issues are not exacerbated. The doctor may recommend certain medicines such as - tricyclic antidepressants because they work to alleviate pain, sleep and mood issues and that by keeping the prescription simpler it means less drugs to treat more symptoms with hopefully less overall side effects.
In this regard it has been remarked that medicines that are used as stimulants to help with cognitive issues should follow a mild dosage. Stronger stimulants have been found to activate a push - crash cycle in which the patient can suffer a relapse in their problem.
The patient and doctor may find that they can work together to incorporate additional natural remedies, but again, it is good to keep in mind that not all natural remedies will be suited to your management plan. Some may even aggravate the situation as more often than not CFS sufferers are more highly sensitive to particular foods and chemicals. This is not to say that they can not help. It just means that there should be some thoughtful consideration given to any suggested treatment before proceeding.
Some additional therapies that have been a part of the successful treatment design are: gentle massages, biofeedback programs, deep breathing techniques, aquatic therapy (sounds nice!), yoga, tai chi, and meditation.
What it really comes down to, is the issue that no one is certain what the primary cause of CFS is. So for now it means that your doctor will focus mainly on treating the symptoms that come with it. Your treatment will match your specific needs. It is hoped that in time, with proper care, your body’s defenses will be able to fight back.
