| u experience several of these symptoms… | | | | there’s no true chronic fatigue treatment |
| • sore throat? | | | | available. The only hope for a patient who’s |
| • memory loss? | | | | been diagnosed CFS is symptomatic treatment and |
| • recurring headaches? | | | | most people recover prior activity levels. |
| • pain that seems to alternate from one joint to | | | | Usually, treatment relies on medication for sleep |
| another? | | | | recovery and pain relief. Because the major problems |
| • pain in the muscles, as if you had the flu? | | | | in CFS relate to sleep deprivation, patients can use |
| • enlarged, tender nodes in the armpits and | | | | some over-the-counter products to get quality sleep. |
| neck? | | | | Vicks VapoRub, for example, when applied to the |
| • dry eyes? | | | | chest or throat, reduces congestion and, in turn, the |
| • sleep disorders? | | | | patient has a better sleep. |
| • ringing in the ears? | | | | Medications with paracetamol (Panadol, Anacin) or |
| • light sensitivity? | | | | diphenhydramine HCl (an antihistamine with sedating |
| • low body temperature, like you are freezing, | | | | properties, found in Tylenol Simple Sleep and Zolben, |
| even in the summer? | | | | among others) help fight poor sleep quality as well. |
| • depression? | | | | For patients who suffer from headaches and other |
| • fatigue that doesn’t go away after | | | | pains, Tylenol PM or Anacin Headache are better |
| rest? | | | | options, instead, because besides a sleeping aid |
| All of these are common Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | ingredient they include acetaminophen, a pain reliever. |
| symptoms. As you can see, the condition | | | | Other alternative treatments include exercise and |
| contemplates something more than just a persistent | | | | psychological therapy. |
| fatigue. A few more questions: | | | | Graded Exercise Therapy, for example, begins by |
| • Are you in your 40s or 50s? | | | | finding out the point beyond which a patient’s |
| • Are you a woman? | | | | symptoms worsen with physical activity. After |
| Women, especially in their 40s, are more prone to | | | | monitoring daily routines and determining the threshold |
| experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) than | | | | point, a therapist designs a special exercise program. |
| men are. This condition forces a reduction in physical | | | | As CFS patients often have mood swings and some |
| activity and may last several months or even years. It | | | | experience depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy |
| worsens with exercise. Because patients feel so | | | | may be effective for the treatment of these |
| exhausted, they become less active and frequently | | | | symptoms. |
| gain weight. In extreme cases, CFS patients | | | | If you happen to live in Ottawa, and you think you may |
| experience an episode in which they can’t | | | | be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, it is highly |
| move for a few minutes or hours due to lack of | | | | recommended that you consult your local Ottawa |
| strength and then they panic. | | | | chiropractor, someone who specializes in alternative |
| Chronic Fatigue Treatment | | | | treatments to this ailment. |
| The causes of CFS are unknown and, therefore, | | | | |