Many people from across the globe, especially the working class, suffer from extreme tiredness or fatigue in their day to day lives. In this condition, they struggle to concentrate in their works and desperately wait for the weekends to rest.
When laziness and lack of motivation haunt the people even after a day or two’s rest, it is described as blues – a depressive state that de-motivates a person from going for work.
Well, the reason for this condition could be many. It could be the symptom of several chronic illnesses like cardiovascular diseases and different types of cancer. Extreme tiredness might also cause due to some of the common health issues, such as mood swings, and digestive upset.
However, one of the major reasons for exhaustion could be a complicated disorder called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), a problem that cannot be described by an underlying medical condition.
Definition of CFS
CFS is described as a disorder that is characterized by extreme tiredness or fatigue, which limits a person from carrying out his or her daily activities. This condition is also referred to as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
CFS can be caused due to a combination of factors, such as inflammation or viral infection. But a single cause for this condition has not been identified and it does not go away with rest.
Symptoms of CFS
The symptoms of CFS may vary from person to person. Some of the common symptoms of this disorder are as follows:
- Memory loss
- Lack of concentration
- Sleeplessness or chronic insomnia
- Extreme tiredness or fatigue
- Swollen and tender lymph nodes in armpits and neck
- Frequent headaches
- Muscle and joint pains without swelling or redness
- A frequent sore throat
- Tiredness lasting over a day after some mental or physical exercise
- Constant tiredness during morning hours even after a good night’s sleep
- Night Sweats
- Chills
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
However, the only way to diagnose CFS could be through various medical tests to rule out other health problems with similar symptoms.
Why is it important to treat CFS?
CFS associated with several complications. It can lead a person to depression, lifestyle restrictions, social isolation and increased work absences. So, it is important to get proper treatment for this disorder.
Fight Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Naturally
Since extreme tiredness of fatigue is one of the major symptoms of CFS, many people could try out rest to overcome it. But as mentioned above, rest may not be a solution for CFS. The only way to cure this medical condition could be a change in lifestyle and diet.
Avoid allergens or eliminate food sensitivities in the diet
Many people across the globe are sensitive to certain food items like dairy products and nuts. According to a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, food sensitivities and poor digestion can lead to CFS. It may not be really hard to cure this medical condition if a person succeeds in identifying and eliminating allergens from your diet. Simple blood and skin tests are there to identify food allergens. Also, you should keep in mind that 8 food allergens such as dairy, gluten, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, and shellfish are responsible for 91 percent of sensitivity. You can start by eliminating these from the diet.
Increase Potassium, Magnesium and Vitamin B in diet
Include magnesium, potassium, and vitamins rich food in your diet. Many research works by popular scientists across the world have already highlighted the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. A nutritious meal can help a person to avoid diseases and increase his or her life expectancy.
For a person suffering from CFS, a diet with magnesium, potassium, and vitamins can help in curing the disorder naturally. It is mainly because these nutrients can improve methylation process, increase body’s immune function, stabilize blood sugar levels and help in preventing fatigue.
Magnesium
This nutrient does not just stabilize blood sugar level, but at times it also works as a painkiller. According to a study published in a UK-based medical journal called The Lancet, magnesium helps in controlling mood swings and improves energy levels.
For the study, the researchers observed a group of people suffering from CFS. All the participants had low magnesium levels in their blood and had very low red blood cell count. So, the experts offered them magnesium supplements and observed them for six weeks. After the sixth week, the scientists found an improvement in the count of red blood cells in the participants’ body. The researchers also found that the participants had a more balanced emotional state and improved energy level.
In order to overcome CFS naturally, you can also include magnesium-rich foods in your diet. They are bananas, dark chocolate, avocados, almonds, figs, black beans, pumpkin seeds, chard, spinach, yogurt, and kefir.
Potassium
This is one of the best nutrients to cure muscle cramps, fatigue and irritability, as it helps in properly balancing electrolyte in a person’s body.
Some of the potassium-rich foods are mushrooms, white beans, dried apricots, bananas, coconut water, acorn squash, avocados, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale.
Vitamin B
Vitamin B6 and B12 play vital roles in improving nerve function, immune function, inflammation, energy production, prevent mood swings and detoxification. They also help in reducing the risk of several chronic illnesses like diabetes, psychiatric disorders, cardiovascular disease and different types of cancer.
While vitamin B6 can also prevent fatigue and fight infections, B12 can reduce depression, boost energy, prevent neurological degeneration and improve cognitive function.
So, it is important to include vitamins B6 and B12 rich foods in your diet in order to fight CFS in a natural way. For Vitamin B6 add cooked spinach, sweet potatoes, bananas, garlic, turkey, grass-fed meat, hazelnuts, salmon and wild tuna in your diet. Meanwhile, Vitamin B12 rich foods are raw milk, cottage cheese, eggs, raw cheese, lamb, sardines, wild salmon, tuna and grass-fed cows.
Include Glutathione-rich diet
Glutathione is an important antioxidant that helps in preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive free radicals. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, and watercress are rich in glutathione. If you are a non-vegetarian you can even go for bone broth.
Herbs
Ashwagandha, Indian gooseberry or amla, and holy basil are excellent herbs for treating CFS. These herbs support and strengthen the adrenal and immune system of the body.
Relaxation and Sleep
Stress is one of the common symptoms of CFS and relaxation is very important for stress relief. Relaxation does not just mean rest or sleep. It means building a peace of mind by dedicating some time for personal interest. You should spend at least a day in a week without any commitments or responsibilities.
Read SoulGuru’s article on how to beat stress
Once in a while, you can also plan a vacation with your loved ones mainly because a change in atmosphere can help in stimulating closer relationships and relieve stress.
Maintaining a sleep routine and doing regular exercises can help a person in diminishing stress. Dedicating sometime in a day for family and friends can also help in curing CFS. Yoga and meditation help in a big way in beating stress.
In short, chronic fatigue syndrome could be a complicated disorder with but it is not non-curable. It can be easily handled by bringing slight changes in lifestyle and by having nutritious food.