General Health part of Myhealthblogging.com Channel

CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome) refers to a set of various symptoms that vary from person to person in variable periods of time. A person with CFIDS feels weak, exhausted, and finds his/her abilities are severely reduced, even for non-demanding activities. The cause of CFIDS is not clearly known, although a relation to a previous infection is possible. It is a state of chronic fatigue that exists without other explanation for 6 months or more and is accompanied by cognitive difficulties (problems with short-term memory or concentration). Quoting eMedicineHealth, the symptoms of CFIDS are:

• Fatigue: People with CFIDS have long-term fatigue (lasting longer than 6 months to a year) that cannot be explained by other diseases. People with CFIDS may have had a previous infection. They are tired and “run down” during the infection, and the fatigue continues after the person has recovered from the illness.
• Cognitive difficulties: A typical complaint of people with CFIDS is that they have problems with short-term memory but not long-term memory. People with CFIDS may have problems finding or saying a particular word during normal speech (called dysnomia or verbal dyslexia).
• Postexertional fatigue: Postexertional fatigue may also be a problem for people with CFIDS. They are excessively tired after doing normal activities that were not difficult in the past.
• Fatigue after sleep: People with CFIDS also complain of fatigue even after long periods of rest or sleep. They do not feel refreshed after sleeping.
• Depression: People with CFIDS may become depressed because of difficulties performing at work or home, but depression does not cause CFIDS.
• Other symptoms that may be seen include headaches, muscle aches, sore throat, and even mild fever.

Physical activities performed at a comfortable pace is important for everyone to maintain good health, including people with CFIDS. Total rest should be avoided as it may make the fatigue worse.

Medical therapy is designed to relieve the specific symptoms of CFIDS. People with CFIDS are often sensitive to many medications, especially those that affect the central nervous system. Usually, doctors will begin with low doses of medication and gradually increase the dose depending on side effects and their response to the medication. Because drug therapy is directed at symptom relief, medications should only be used in CFIDS if all other causes of the symptom have been ruled out. Remember that all medications can cause side effects.

Topik: Therapy