Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – The Challenges That Await

Living with an illness is a daring act. For instance, chronic fatigue syndrome does not only reduce one’s physical activity, but also impairs one’s social life. Dealing with social issues as an offshoot of an illness is just one of the several incidents of having a disease. Your relation with people suffer, you get in danger of losing your job, people who do not know your condition get the wrong impression of you, and you get dismissed for being a nuisance. This misfortune can utterly make ones life miserable.

The severity of chronic fatigue syndrome is evident in that only five to ten percent (5-10%) of these cases are fully resolved while only eight to thirty percent (8-30%) are able to return to work. Symptoms usually worsen among five to twenty percent (5-20%) of the patients and any delay in the detection of the illness lower the chances of recovery. However, while the manifest difficulty in dealing with this illness is undoubtedly enormous, one should not simply stop living.

So what are the facts? One fact worth noting is that chronic fatigue syndrome can strike at absolutely anyone. It does not choose among any specific ethnic or racial demography. Rather, the record shows that people belonging to lower income groups tend to be the likely prey of chronic fatigue syndrome; the same way that more women than men are reported to be afflicted with this disease and most frequently, in those belonging to ages ranging from forty (40) to fifty-nine (59).

Another fact is that to date, there appears to be no widely accepted method in treating chronic fatigue syndrome which could ensure total recovery. More bluntly put, most patients do not totally recover from this illness despite treatment. While a fortunate few are able to successfully lead a normal life, still a good number are unable to independently look after their own welfare. Statistics shows that only one-half (1/2) of the group of people having chronic fatigue syndrome is able to get a job while almost two-thirds (2/3) are underemployed due to significant physical restrictions. Most of those who are working are on temporary sick leave or simply live on disability benefits while only one-fifth of those who are working are employed full-time. That would probably explain the depression that is commonly experienced by people afflicted with this illness, as well as associated mood disorders.

Without a doubt, the numbers are enough to further tell the story behind the lives of patients who have to deal with chronic fatigue syndrome every single day of their life. As if their suffering is not enough, they had to endure an even more disheartening social ridicule from people who, having little knowledge about the illness, brand it as some form of make believe to get attention or fake excuses to achieve benefits, be it financial or social. This burdensome psychosocial stigma frustrates the support that patients having this illness should be receiving from society. It only makes the load a lot heavier to carry when one experiences the severity of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Do You Have It?

Little knowledge is absolutely dangerous. In fact, it is even lethal to know so little about something. Either you end up doing what you should not be doing or you take for granted what you should be doing in the first place. Thus, your action or inaction could cause you your precious life, or lifestyle as the case may be.

What a shame that is, don’t you think? Take the case of people already exhibiting the varied symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome who mistakenly assumes that their body’s involuntary tremors are merely caused by ordinary stress and would simply go away by habitually taking time off from work. These assumptions are utterly incorrect, to say the least. It is, thus, important to know whether the illness you believe you have matches correctly to the kind you actually have.

The existence of chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to determine because it usually starts just like any ordinary fatigue. Eventually though, it develops into an even chronic kind that could bother you for six months or more without exhibiting the usual conditions of an ordinary fatigue. Then you go to your physician regarding your significantly shortened memory or long concentration difficulties and he tells you, you’re just fine.

This erroneous finding is precisely due to the fact that the doctor does not recognize the known conditions that cause fatigue in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. Further, some other symptoms for chronic fatigue syndrome would usually reveal themselves simultaneously or one after another. This includes having a recurring sore throat, softening of the lymph nodes (cervical or axillary), hypersensitivity, aching of the muscles and joints minus a manifest swelling (myalgia and arthralgia), a distinct and severe kind of headache that occurs in a pattern, and occasional lasting tiredness that is not alleviated by rest but, instead, worsens by more physical or mental exertion.

Chronic fatigue syndrome does not only affect a particular group of individuals. Rather, it significantly bothers a varied composition of males and females, young and adults alike, although it has been found to be prevalent in four of every a thousand people and to more women than men. It could be, however, that more women report about this illness than men do. Nonetheless, it gets in between you and your normal life. What’s even worse is it could lead to other emotional and psychological complications like depression. Further, it could threaten other aspects of your life such as your happiness and productivity.

Exact findings as to the precise cause of chronic fatigue syndrome have been hard to pin down. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a very complex disorder that usually occur consequent to a cold or viral infection. Many studies have ventured into the unknown causes of chronic fatigue syndrome and have come up with a combination of methodologies to alleviate its symptoms. Some attempts have been successful, while some not quite. However, what is crucial to these attempts has been the timely discovery of chronic fatigue syndrome at its onset.

Natural Remedy for Depression: A Fact or Fiction?

Having depression may be the most difficult thing in the world. You may find yourself in the middle of a crowd and yet, you feel so alone. You have a lot of families within your reach but you feel so distant. Its like being alone inside a black hole and watching the whole world pass outside that hole and no matter how you want to go out in to the light, you simply just cant.

But not to worry, for families who have a loved one undergoing depression, there are numerous kinds of therapies specifically for treatment of depression. Aside from the usual medical treatments for depression such as psychotherapy and anti-depressants, there are now newly developed natural remedies for depression that are guaranteed side effect-free. Yes, they have been proven to be effective and not merely placebo drugs. Read on and learn about the techniques that are considered natural remedies for depression.

• Vitamin B or Folic Acid
Studies have shown that people with depression usually lack a considerable amount of Vitamin B or folic acid in their system. Patients that have very low values of this vitamin were said to have a very low response to anti-depressant medications.

Folic acid can be found plenty in leafy vegetables, fruits and grains. There are also Vitamin B or folic acid supplements available in the market nowadays that you can take.

• Ther herb : Hypericum perforatum
This herb, more commonly known as St. John’s Wort has been used since the olden times to cure worry, sadness and inability to sleep. Scientific studies today have proven that this herb actually has an effect of improving depression in mild to moderate cases. Although this herb may not give that instant feel- good effect for depression (it was reported to take several weeks for a change to take effect), this has been known to be effective and a true natural help for depression.

This herbal medicine can have certain side effects on the user such as photosensitivity, dizziness and indigestion. This herbal medicine is also not recommended for pregnant women, children and patients with associated kidney problems.

• S-adenosyl-L-methionine
This substance also known as SAM-e is a chemical that is found naturally in the human body. This substance is believed to increase the concentrations of serotonin and dopamine – neurotransmitters that give that feel good effect and are chemically synthesized as anti-depressant medication.

• Omega 3
Omega 3 is a type of fatty acid that is essential for the normal development of the human brain. Human bodies cannot synthesize this substance on its own and thus needs to have an external source, through our diets. Scientific studies have actually proven this claim; the less omega 3 amounts are present in a person’s diet – the more likely is he prone to depression.

Omega 3 can be found in most sea foods and also are available in the market as a capsule supplement.

So for patients who have tried the usual medical treatment for depression, it would be recommended for you to give these natural remedy for depression a try.

Symptoms of Depression: When Should You Seek Help

Clinical depression is a disorder characterizing an individual’s persistent and abnormal low moods and their loss in interest for socializing and in participating in normal things that would usually bring pleasure. Depression is an extremely lonely condition. That is why majority of the people who are affected with the condition will either not know that they are in depression or is in denial of the fact.

One important information on depression is that this can be an embarrassing condition for some. Depression when gone untreated can greatly affect a person’s life; his work and his relationship with other people. Most patients who have been experiencing depression are only diagnosed by the help of their families. When the people you love notice a different, low behavior from you and would seek medical help in your behalf. Some would actually report this experience themselves which is actually better since the person has already owned the condition and is more open to treatment and therapy.

There are several symptoms of depression will serve as warning signs for you. Read on and learn each symptom so that you will be able to detect this condition if ever you are faced with it in the future.

1. A depressed person may feel low and unable to take pleasure in things that he of she normally enjoys.
2. People experiencing this condition tend to be always preoccupied with feelings of guilt and self-worthlessness
3. Poor concentration coupled with memory gaps
People with depression will have unusual memory gaps and have difficulty in concentrating on a single activity. They always seem restless and anxious.
4. They slowly withdraw from social gathering and functions that he or she normally attends.
People with depression do not enjoy the company of other people, most of the time, even shutting out the people that they love from their lives.
5. They have difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
People going through depression may sometimes become so preoccupied about something that once they wake up, it would be impossible for them to go back to sleep again.
6. There is loss of appetite resulting to very rapid weight loss, and sometimes, for other patients, rapid weight gain instead.
7. Some people experience physical complaints such as headache, indigestion and fatigue
8. In very severe cases, patients with depression can experience hallucinations and psychosis

So, always be on the lookout for these signs of depression, whether for yourself or for the people you love. The late diagnosis for depression is mostly due to misinterpretation of the symptoms as mere mood swings or tantrums. But the alarming fact is that majority of people that are going through depression have suicidal tendencies. That is why it is very, very important that this condition should be detected as soon as possible.

Educate yourself and get all the information on depression. And for those who have loved ones that have been diagnosed with the condition, never lose hope. There are now numerous therapies out there that you can try; from psychotherapy to natural depression remedies. Support groups have also been established to help patient go through this very lonely stage of their lives

Diabetes: Natural vs Synthetic Cures

Diabetes is fast becoming one of the most deadly diseases today. As the years go by, more and more people are plagued by this disease due to poor diet and exercise. This disease is also hereditary and one’s chances of becoming a diabetic increases if it is coupled with a high sugar and high carbohydrate diet.

Diabetes can be considered as a disease which is affected by one’s genes – that is, if you are part of a family of diabetics, you are most likely to develop it if you are not careful with what you eat. People who are a part of a family of diabetics are encouraged to eat healthy always to lessen the instance of becoming a diabetic. Even if your sugar levels are fine as of the present, you have to help yourself so that you won’t end up developing this condition.

Soda and chocolate intake has to be lessened to avoid being a diabetic. Carbohydrates in meals should also be lessened because it is converted into sugar to provide energy for the body and without exercise, an excess of carbohydrates can make a person overweight. Further, an increase in sugar levels is also observed with inactivity. Thus, it is very important to eat right and exercise to avoid becoming a diabetic. Aside from this, home remedies for diabetes can also be taken so that blood sugar levels are lowered.

Natural cures for diabetes are slowly becoming popular nowadays since people do not want to buy medicines to lower their sugar levels. Herbal remedies for diabetes gained popularity since prescription drugs are very expensive and can damage parts of the human body after prolonged use. With natural and home remedies, they not only promote your health, they are also reasonably priced and will not cause any damage in your system since they are natural cures. These natural cures for diabetes can also be taken together with prescription drugs and will not alter the effect of the medicine in any way. Some of these herbal medicines even claim to strengthen one’s immune system and improve the absorption of the drugs being administered to patients.

One should not refrain from taking medicines prescribed by their doctors despite taking natural remedies for diabetes because these drugs can improve your health and will allow you to live a longer and healthier life especially if you are a diabetic who is already taking insulin shots to control your diabetes. Natural remedies help improve your condition but you should not rely on them only. These natural concoctions can only do so much to improve your condition.

Also, discuss with your physician if it would be alright for you to take natural cures for diabetes so that he is aware of what you are taking and will guide you accordingly so that your condition will improve and not worsen in the long run. After all, health is wealth and diabetes is not an easy path to trudge along. So consider these things and think of yourself before it’s too late.

Diabetes – The Challenges of Being a Diabetic

Diabetes mellitus or more popularly known as diabetes has become one of the top ten most dreaded diseases in the world today. The number of diabetics has more than doubled in the last decade and this has alarmed health professionals all over the world.

Diabetes is developed due to insufficient production of insulin in the body, hence people who are full blown diabetics take insulin shots so that their sugar intake levels off with the help of insulin. The worst thing about diabetes is that once you are diagnosed as one, there is no cure. Some diabetics have had their legs or other parts of their bodies cut off since the healing process of a diabetic is very slow and sometimes even a small wound that doesn’t totally heal can be a disaster.

The 21st century is a time of natural cures and remedies for all types of diseases, including diabetes. Herbal remedies and other home remedies for diabetes are options that an average person would readily turn to since they are more affordable compared to medicines prescribed by the doctors. But do these natural cures for diabetes really work?

If one would look closely, most of the products being advertised in the market today which claims to cure diabetes have placed the phrase “No Therapeutic Claims” in their posters. This is because these natural cures for diabetes are not really cures. A person may or may not get better after taking these alternative medicines. Besides, once a diabetic, there is no going back so one should be careful of his food intake and exercise should always be a part of their daily routine to burn off the excess carbohydrates.

Home made remedies such as bitter gourd does not cure a person with diabetes but taking it on a daily basis may help your body since it curbs your sugar levels a little. Taking natural cures for diabetes on top of prescription drugs may be the best way to instead of just totally relying on herbal supplements. After all, these herbal supplements will not in any way lessen the effectiveness of the medicines one is taking so there shouldn’t be any problem there. This combination would work well for people who have type 1 diabetes. People who have type 2 diabetes may do well without insulin shots since their conditions are worse than those who are on stage 1.

Once a person is a diabetic, a lifestyle change should be top priority. Gone are the days when you are able to eat the kind of food that you would want to eat. A diabetic has to carefully calculate the number of calories and sugar content of the food that he takes in order to keep his condition stable. Sacrificing your lifestyle is a big blow, so as much as possible you should take care of your health so that you will still long despite the fact that you have a disease that may not be cured, but you know you can control with the right attitude.

Fibromyalgia – The Pain Within

Have you experienced a continuous amount of moderate to severe pain and fatigue at the same time? Have you tried consulting with the physician regarding this predicament and he hasn’t found anything that resembles what you’re experiencing to a specific disease or condition? If you’ve answered yes, then maybe you are experiencing Fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by chronic pain in certain parts of your body. Widespread pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the main implications of the said disorder. This is usually partnered with moderate to severe fatigue, disturbance in sleeping patterns, and most of the time, joint stuffiness.

Besides the ones stated above, some persons experience other symptoms which are more likely related to other systemic functions. These include difficulty in swallowing, difficulty in breathing, numbness sensations, functional bowel abnormalities, abnormal motor activity and cognitive dysfunction. Presence of systemic dysfunctions and abnormalities, besides the concurrent pain, is often defined as the Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

Although some health experts find this disorder controversial and at times debatable in terms of diagnosis, fibromyalgia has been present in the society for a long time already. Others still consider this disorder as non-existent due to the lack of objective data from laboratory exams or even advanced medical imaging systems to confirm the presence of this condition.

At times, symptoms of this disorder would be the same as that of those with rheumatic conditions. Because of this, the American College of Rheumatology developed the “ACR 1990”. It was created to define specific categories with regards to fibromyalgia. According to this, a certain criteria were created and were as follows – There must be a history of pain that is widespread on the four quadrants of the body and must occur within 3 months duration. Second, there are astoundingly 18 trigger or tender points for this condition. According to this, when exerted with a certain level force at each of these fibromyalgia trigger points, the patient must feel pain in at least 11 or more trigger or tender points for it to be considered fibromyalgia. However, this criteria was made for research purposes only and not for clinical diagnosis.

Due to the unavailability of a certain standards on laboratory exams to diagnose fibromyalgia syndrome except for the outlines of ACR 1990, doctors and physicians must rely mainly on an extensive physical examination and subjective cues. Indeed, this disorder is difficult to rule out. Doctors may need to ask for certain laboratory tests such as complete blood count and some chemical tests just to rule out the possibilities. Doctors would also note the other symptoms such as headache, fatigue, mood swings and the like to link with the disorder. After confirming, it is then wherein health professionals can be able to begin the possible fibromyalgia treatment therapy.

Fibromyalgia might not be a very specific disorder which is aimed at a certain system function, but having an understanding on its signs and symptoms would help us narrow it down on what it is and what it can do to our body.

Genital Herpes Does Not End Your Life

Acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases such as genital herpes may seem to many a succumbing to the fallacy that the human soul is weak because this disease is almost always acquired when one gives in to indiscretions that make the individual vulnerable. However, little do we know that many people out there do become stronger when confronted with a disease like genital herpes. Not everyone who gets this disease deserves it though. Some of them are simply victims of their own erroneous judgment with their sexual relations.

Genital herpes is a variation of sexually-transmitted disease which does not have any existing cure, thus the infection recurs as time passes by. It is an affliction that is also highly contagious, thus the risk of spreading or contracting genital herpes is appalling. Considering the statistics of people who belong to this category, we should offer our support and understanding of their unfortunate situation, rather than persecuting them for something they already are paying a high price for.

While the manifestations of genital herpes may cause a person to change his way of life, it should not stop the individual from living his life the way he wanted to. Having contracted the disease should not cause people to give up their sex life or their relationships for this matter. There exists several ways to manage the disease by making efforts to protect you and your partner. For instance, you could reduce the tendency of acquiring genital herpes by the proper and consistent use of latex condoms.

Although treatment for STDs has been quite elusive to science, there are now antiviral medications that can reduce the risk of transmission. Further, abstaining from any sexual activity when symptoms of herpes are manifest could also help lessen the risk of contracting the disease. It is worth noting, however, that genital herpes could still be transmitted by persons who do not exhibit the symptoms of the disease or who may not even know that they have it.

For some people who do not have the disease but whose appetite for sex has been dampened by fear of contracting or spreading the same, the use of latex condoms could help ease the worries. Partners could also agree to submit themselves to blood testing to ensure that both come through the relationship with full disclosure.

In very rare cases though, newly-born babies could contract genital herpes upon delivery when the mother is infected and exhibits its symptoms at the time of delivery. However, this could still be prevented by opting for a caesarian delivery instead.

Surely, there are many various ways we could find out there to continue living a normal life despite having a disease like genital herpes. However, no amount of post-transmission measures could defeat prevention as an answer to this disease. An almost normal life still isn’t one that is normal. Thus, we should be responsible, not only for our own life, but also for the life of the people around us. Especially, those whom we love and care about.

Gout – Foods to Avoid

It is very important for people diagnosed with gout to also have a well- controlled diet. Yes, just like any other medical ailments, there are certain types of food that can lead to the severity of the condition. So for people with gout, you must know what you should be eating and most importantly, what you should not be including in your gout diet.

A 12 year scientific study on the diet of 730 subjects showed that participants which ate more meat and sea foods in their diet has was 50% more likely to have gout. Most people say that purine is one of the leading factors that bring about gout. But contrary to this, the study showed that some high-purine containing foods (such as bans, cauliflower, mushroom and peas) were not associated with gout at all.

So what should a diet for gout be composed of? What kind of foods should a patient avoid in his or her diet for gout prevention? Well, not necessarily all foods rich in purine but just some selected few. Below are lists of foods that cause gout or helps in triggering it:

• Sea foods (mussels, herrings, mackerel, shrimp, caviar, crabs, etc.)
• High caffeine drinks such as coffee, cocoa and even chocolate
• Red meats
• Internal organs such as gizzard, heart and kidney
• Alcohol
• Gravy
• Any food with white flour

This study also showed that diet with low-fat dairy product helped in decreasing the risk of gout attacks on patients. A high-fiber diet such as bananas, celery and other vegetables is also recommended. For meats, gout patients can eat chicken and turkey, both of which have considerable amounts of purine but was proven to have no relationship with alleviating gout at all.

For people who have their favorite ingredients in this list, then do think twice before indulging into these kinds of food. The pain and all the hassle that you may experience during a gout attack may not be worth it all.

People with gout should also think twice before going on a diet, it would even be much better to consult your doctor before deciding to go on that weight loss regimen. Why? This is because dieting can lead to increased amounts of uric acid which in turn could worsen your condition. So if you really need to go on a diet, avoid rapid weight loss which can increase the amounts of uric acid in your blood. And similarly, being obese or ever-weight can also result to very high amount so uric acid in their blood.

One recommended habit that gout patients must make is drinking at least 10 ounces of water a day. This will help eliminate and “flush out” excess uric acid in the blood.

Although medication for gout has allowed people afflicted with this condition more freedom in their diet, it is always the better choice to be conscious of what you eat. Decreasing the amounts or even completely eliminating these types of foods from your diet will definitely help you lessen the frequency of gout attacks. It is possible to control and decrease gout attacks just with a simple change of eating habits and lifestyle.

Gout: How Do You Know You Have Gout?

Gout is considered as one of the more painful illnesses in history. Also medically known as metabolic arthritis, this health condition is brought about by the abnormal accumulation of uric acid crystals between the joints of the body. As the amount of these crystals increase, the surrounding tissue gets more and more inflamed, and therefore, increasingly painful as well.

One of the most common reasons why gout gets diagnosed only in the later stages is because most people do not even know that they have them until they experience that redness and swelling of the affected area coupled by that characteristic excruciating, burning gout pain.

So readers, try not to get caught off guard with this ailment. Have an early diagnosis by watching out for gout symptoms or warning sighs listed below:

1. Gout pain usually occurs in the joints of the big toe first (also called the gout toe), before any other parts of the body. The episode usually starts with the reddening and swelling of the area coupled with pain. Thorough time, the redness, the swelling and the pain will alleviate until you the patient experiences difficulty in moving the affected area. This pain is actually recurrent and can sometimes “mysteriously” disappear, which are known as “gout attacks”.

2. Unlike the common arthritis that happens at one area at a time, gout attacks can take place at several areas of the body, all at the same time. Joints in the ankles, wrists, knees and elbows are also the most frequently affected areas by gout.

3. A fever usually occurs during gout attacks. This fever can sometimes last through weeks at a time.

Once you detect these symptoms, ask for medical help as soon as you can. The most definitive way to diagnose gout is by extracting synovial fluid form the affected area and examining its microscopic components through light microscopy. The presence of monosodium urate crystals in the fluid would be a definitive symptom of gout.

Aide from that, another helpful medical procedure that can detect gout is an x-ray of the affected area. For those who have experienced several attacks of gout already, doctors can actually see a crystal deposits and bone damage in the affected area.

Classic symptoms of gout can be treated successfully. It is also very important to have a definite diagnosis because there are other conditions that mimic the symptoms of gout. These conditions are pseudo gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. And sometimes, even a simple infection could mimic the condition as well.

So readers, take all these into mind. Early detection always means early intervention and earlier cure. Gout when allowed to continue without proper treatment can lead to severe bone damage, loss of activity and even more excruciating pain. Even a slight touch of a blanket was said to be extremely painful for the patient with a prolonged gout condition. So avoid these things from ever happening to you; educate yourselves on gout symptoms and seeking appropriate medical help once you have detected these signs.

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