In this age of high-speed and high-stress lifestyles, fatigue is a common complaint. Fatigue is a symptom of everything from the common cold to cancer. It’s a symptom of hepatitis, diabetes, heart disease, tuberculosis, thyroid problems, anemia, anxiety, depression, and many others. And it could be a side effect of some of the medications used to treat these conditions.

But fatigue is rarely a serious condition unless it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, swelling, or fever or it lasts longer than a week. If your fatigue has lasted that long or you have other symptoms, see a doctor.

Over a decade ago, a strange set of symptoms began afflicting young men and women. They complained of extreme fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, general malaise (feeling weak), low-grade fever, joint pain, and swollen lymph glands. Some thought it was flu but was later on diagnosed as “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome”(CFS). It’s a collection of flu-like symptoms that left its sufferers frustrated. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a rare, debilitating disorder that leaves its sufferers weak, exhausted, and barely able to function for months or even decade. The cause is still a mystery. Since it appears after flu or another illness, it was once thought to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. But up to present times, scientists and researchers were not able to identify its origins. It probably doesn’t have a single cause but is a combination of viral infections, allergies, and psychological factors acting on the immune system.

Like many who suffer chronic illnesses, some people with chronic fatigue syndrome experience emotional problems. Depression can go hand-in-hand with other cognitive problems such as confusion, forgetfulness, and sleep disorders.

How do you know if you have chronic fatigue syndrome?

To be diagnosed as having CFS, you must have suffered from persistent fatigue for at least six months. The fatigue must not have existed previously, must persist despite bed rest and must cut your daily activity level in half for at least six months.

The existence of any other disease, infection, malignancy or condition that may produce similar symptoms, as well as the used of drugs, medications or chemicals, must be ruled out by a physician.

You must also have had eight of the following symptoms for at least six months:

• Mild fever or chills
• Sore throat
• Painful lymph nodes (such as glands on the sides of the neck)
• Unexplained general body weakness
• Muscle discomfort or pain
• Fatigue of 24 hours or more after levels of exercise that used to be tolerated.
• Unusual headaches.
• Aches and pains that travel from joint to joint.
• Any of these complaints: forgetfulness, excessive irritability, confusion, difficulty in thinking, inability to concentrate, and depression.
• Difficulty in sleeping.

Here are some tips to re-energize your life:

1. Pace yourself – “Fatigue is the price we pay for pushing ourselves beyond the point where are mind and body say no”. So think about where you might be pushing yourself past your limits.
2. Focus your energy – Learn to let go of things you cannot change and focus your energies on those that you can.
3. Play – All work and no play puts more stress on the mind and the body. Mixing your daily schedule with the combination of social experiences and enjoyable activities provides a needed break in the action and relieves those stresses before they can drain your energy.
4. Get a walk – A ten-minute walk causes a shift in mood that quickly raises energy levels and keeps them high for up to two hours.
5. Balance your diet – A junk food diet high in sugar, fat and processed foods gives your body few or none of the basic vitamins, minerals, and nutrients it needs to perform at normal levels.
6. Eat more frequently – Skipping meals can leave your fuel reserves dangerously low, and digesting big meals can be an enormous energy drain.
7. Drink coffee – Studies have shown that a cup of coffee can boost your energy level for up to six hours, however don’t overdo it.
8. Drink at least eight glasses of 8-ounce water every day.
9. Avoid booze and pills – Regular use of alcohol, sleeping pills and tranquilizer will make the problem worse.
10. Check your medicines – Antihistamines, cold medications, and some anti-hypertensive drugs can make you feel groggy and fatigue.
11. Explore alternative approaches – Meditation, yoga, and massage are just a few of the options.
12. Ask your doctor about supplements – In addition to a balanced diet, a multivitamin and mineral supplement should ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need.

Recommendations:

• Include more fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, seeds, and nuts in your diet. Eat less red meat and more white meat (fish and chicken).
• Avoid energy robbers like sugar, alcohol, and fats.
• Get regular exercise and adequate rest.
• If fatigue is persistent, consult your physician to determine whether some underlying health problem may be the cause.

(E-mail Address: lifeextension_drgarysy@yahoo.com)