Chronic fatigue syndrome - Causes, symptoms and treatment. MF.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a combination of symptoms( signs) caused by a single pathogenesis, which to this day remains insufficiently studied. Not to say how many disputes there were, but there is no consensus on this and the evidence-based medicine is silent. At the moment there are only theories that are not properly confirmed, therefore chronic fatigue syndrome can not be isolated as an independent disease. As a result, the characteristic of the chronic fatigue syndrome is the following: it is a symptomatic complex characterized by excessive, invalidating fatigue( almost unchallenged), which lasts at least 6 months and is accompanied by numerous infectious and / or neuropsychic symptoms.
This pathology was considered a disease of civilized countries. The issue of isolating this syndrome into a separate nosological form arose in 1988, when scientists hypothesized the viral etiology of the syndrome, and the Epstein-Barr virus and other herpes viruses were suggested as the main causative agent. In 2003, the international group on the study of chronic fatigue syndrome recommended using standard scales for assessing the main symptoms - criteria of symptoms and conditions very similar to it.
Causes of chronic fatigue syndrome
I recall that there is no consensus, there are more or less suitable theories. Even though the virus origin is most suitable, in the course of additional examinations, changes were found in other organs and systems: in brain structures, neuroendocrine systems, genetic structure, etc. At the moment it is difficult to say what is the primary cause - infectious or structuralchanges on the part of organs and systems, but at the moment, the alleged causes are systematized:
- Genetic abnormalities,
- virus theory: Epstein-Barr virus or herpesvirus type 7( according to the latest andfollowers involved in the syndrome of chronic fatigue) triggers organ and system dysfunction,
- Structural and functional changes in the CNS: stress-dependent theory, dysfunction of the CNS at the cell-tissue level, psychiatric disorders more often associated with psychotraumatism in childhood),
- Immunopathology( infectiousor genetic origin)
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
1. Memory impairment or concentration of attention
2. Pharyngitis
3. Soreness in palpation of lymph nodes(often cervical or axillary)
4. Soreness or stiffness of the muscles
5. Soreness of joints( without redness or swelling)
6. New headache or change in its characteristics( severity)
7. Sleep that does not bring a sense of recovery
8.Exacerbation of fatigue up to exhaustion of after physical or mental stress, which lasts more than 24h.
The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome can be considered qualified if at least 4 out of 8 factors are present.
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome
There are no specific paraclinical agents that confirm or disprove the syndrome of chronic fatigue. In view of the exhaustive facts, it is necessary to observe the gradualness in the diagnosis and treatment:
1. To carry out a detailed history of the disease taking into account all the diseases transferred, taking into account the dynamics of laboratory changes, taking into account all medicines taken by the patient.
2. To go in diagnosis by the principle of "from bigger to smaller", i.e. according to the dominant state, for example:
• the prodromal clinic dominates - carrying out a diagnosis of bacteriology or virologic examination, taking into account the immunological;
• with the predominance of the psychoneurological clinic - the use of additional research methods( CT, MRI, EEG, etc.), involving other specialists and still not excluding the virus etiology.
3. Use of standard methods( general blood test, general urine analysis, biochemical blood test), which can also remain informative.
Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Since etiology and pathogenesis have not been studied to the present, there are no valid therapeutic recommendations, but relief of acute symptoms always comes to the fore. Depending on the underlying cause, the relevant specialist( infectiologist, neurologist or immunologist) is engaged in the management of the person applying, if necessary, specialists of a narrower profile are involved. In this case, even general-purpose therapy may prove provocative, so consultation and supervision of the doctor is necessary when taking such groups as: vitamin preparations, brain metabolites( actovegin, pyracetam, cortexin), etc.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome with folk remedies
In this case,slightly more promising results were obtained. The most effective methods include not only phototherapy( chamomile broth, novopassit, valerian, etc.), but also psychotherapy, including active periodic rest.
Prevention of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A protective neuro-psychic regimen - neither one nor anything costs your experiences, your nervous nerves can not be returned. And do not believe those who say that the nerve cells are recovering - no, they are restored only at the subcellular level( ie, the restoration of individual cell organelles), resulting in a short time just die or remain dysfunctional. As a result, neuro-autonomic dysfunction may develop with further deplorable consequences( stroke, heart attack, etc.).
Doctor therapist Shabanova IE