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  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    Crushing tiredness that doesn’t diminish with rest, CFS can wreck lives. It’s also hard to diagnose, so patients may be seen as hypochondriacs. CFS affects more women than men and is seen mostly between the ages of 30 and 50. The true incidence of CFS is hard to gauge as it often goes undiagnosed due to its varying symptoms.  
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 28 September 2015

Diet guidelines

Nutritionists advise on eating right as it increases energy levels, strengthens immunity and helps one feel better. Extreme diets should be avoided as they can worsen your symptoms. Eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, grains, fruits, protein and dairy.

Certain foods can trigger symptoms or make them worse. Such foods are:

  • Fatty and fried foods
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Nutrasweet (aspartame)
  • Cigarettes or tobacco products

Things like alcohol, caffeine and sugary foods that can disturb sleep should be avoided too.

Some people believe a serotonin-rich diet helps better regulate sleep and depression symptoms. Such foods may include complex carbohydrates and dark chocolate.

Stories

  • Prevention of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome cannot be prevented but it can be managed and the symptoms can be treated. The best option is to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly and meditate or do a fun activity to keep stress levels low.
  • Management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    Diet guidelines Nutritionists advise on eating right as it increases energy levels, strengthens immunity and helps one feel better. Extreme diets should be avoided as they can worsen your symptoms. Eat a balanced diet that includes vegetables, grains, fruits, protein and dairy. Certain foods can trigger symptoms or make them worse. Such foods are: Fatty and fried foods Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Nutrasweet (aspartame) Cigarettes or tobacco products Things like alcohol, caffeine and sugary…
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
    Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief.  1. Medication choices may include:  Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen, which aim to relieve joint/ muscle pain, headaches and fevers.  Anti-convulsants, also called anti-seizure medicines such as gabapentin and pregabalin are used for pain and sleep problems. Narcotics such as tramadol, codeine or morphine, is sometimes prescribed for severe pain not relieved…
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes and Risks
    The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories. In some cases, CFS seems to follow a viral illness, major physical or emotional trauma or exposure to toxins. Other theories point to the immune system, glands and hormones, and family history. Some believe it might be triggered by a combination of factors. Risk Factors: Tends to affect people in their 40s and 50s Women are more likely to be diagnosed with CFS Stress seems to be a risk factor
  • CFS Tests and Diagnosis
    There's no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. A variety of medical tests are done to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms.  CFS and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Some people believe that CFS and ME are two separate conditions while others believe that the two conditions are the same but symptoms are different. Myalgic means muscle aches or pains and Encephalomyelitis is inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.  When fatigue is the…
  • Caregiver Training Video - Touch Therapy
    This is a caregiver training video resource from HCA Hospice Care, Singapore.  It shows how you can gently massage to soothe an elderly person or a patient.   
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
    Crushing tiredness that doesn’t diminish with rest, CFS can wreck lives. It’s also hard to diagnose, so patients may be seen as hypochondriacs. By Dr Shital Raval.  Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that is unexplained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue does not improve with rest and tends to worsen with physical activity or mental exertion.  CFS affects more women than men and is seen mostly between the…