Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
You were so exhausted. You felt drained, and not ready at all to start a new day. You may be just too tired. But have you ever heard about the illness called Chronic Fatigue (CFS). Would you believe there is such an illness?
Even the world famous U.S. women’s soccer player, Michelle who was known as a worrier, was diagnosed with CFS. She has to retire from the team in 1999.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
It was first recognized as a physical illness in the 1980s as the one that’s not fully understood. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that half a million people in the States have a CFS.
The symptoms of CFS are overwhelming fatigue and weakness that make it extremely difficult to perform routine and daily tasks, like getting out of bed, dressing, and eating. The fatigue does not get better with bed rest. The illness severely impact school ,work and pleasurable activities, causing physical and emotional symptoms that can last for months or even years.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in females than usually in ages between 20 and 40, but the disorder also occurs in adolescents.
What Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The cause is not yet known. However, a viral cause for CFS is still suspected because the symptoms of CFS often mimic a viral infection Other theories suggest iron-poor blood, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), environmental allergies, a body-wide yeast infection, or psychiatric or neurological problems.
Symptoms
The CDC developed a definition in 1993 to help doctors diagnose the condition. A patient must have both of the following in order to be diagnose with CFS. One: a person must have severe, chronic fatigue for at least 6 months, without any medical conditions, of which continuous fatigue has to be the major symptom of illness. Two: having at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months
· Forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating
· Sore throat
· Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
· Muscle pain or multi-joint pain with swelling or redness
· Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
· Unrefreshing sleep and vague feelings of illness or depression lasting more than 24 hours after exerting oneself
However, Other symptoms of CFS can include mild fever, blurry vision, chills, night sweats, diarrhea, and fluctuation in appetite and weight.
Difficulty Diagnosing CFS –CFS is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that doctor has to make sure that the symptoms are not caused by another illness, a sleep disorder, or hormone problems such as hypothyroidism.
Treatment
Although there is no hard and fast treatment for CFS, experts say that some changes in lifestyle can help. People who remain as active as possible will have some control over the course their illness.
Recommended actions are:
· Regular, carefully planned exercise –which helps by providing healing movement increased energy, and feelings of well-being.
· Stress management and reduction techniques.
· A health diet – avoid heavy meal, alcohol, caffeine, and large quantities of junk food.
· Acupuncture, message, stretching, yoga and tai chi have been helpful for many people with CFS.
· Antidepressant medications can help ease the symptoms. Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs are also beneficial to some individuals.
· Seek support from family and friends, because emotional health is important when coping with a chronic health problem.
For most people, the symptoms of CFS are most severe in the beginning, and afterwards they may come and go. Almost 50% of CFS patients experience partial- or full recovery within 5 years after the CFS symptoms began.
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Food that's good for a healthy heart
by: Alicia Caldelas
Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation. The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons. In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:
1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.
2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.
3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.
4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.
5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.
6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body. For more information on healthy heart diet, visit this: http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/cardiac-diet.htm About the author:Alicia Caldelas for http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/Your guide to buy vitamins - http://www.vitaminsdiary.com/buy-vitamins.htmIf you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website. Circulated by Bandoni Media