FATIGUE – WARNING SIGNS OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROM, YOU SHOULD KNOW?

One of the prominent medical news was the recognition of rather a peculiar medical condition: “fatigue”. Today, people with symptoms of this disease in Vietnam are not uncommon. Most doctors think that the patient is just a hypocrite (hysteria) or a cardiac neurological disorder, an autonomic disorder, sometimes even concluded a nervous breakdown.⁽¹⁾

This new disease is known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrom (CFS) or so-called Fatigue.⁽¹⁾

The body’s weakness for a long time can lead to health problems such as poor health, rapid weight loss, and impaired immunity. Especially the psychological disorder and long-term depression can cause depression, a closed lifestyle, indifference to life, and many other severe manifestations. Therefore, this situation should be recognized and remedied promptly.⁽²

1/ What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrom?⁽³⁾

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and that can’t be fully explained by an underlying medical condition. The fatigue worsens with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.

2/ What are causes of chronic fatigue syndrome?^(3,4)

The cause of body weakness is still not clear. According to experts, the disease can form under the influence of many factors such as:

• Infections: infection with Epstein-Barr virus, Herpes 6, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, tuberculosis…
• Immune system abnormalities
• Having certain endocrine diseases, or chronic diseases, after surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or related to the side effects of some drugs.
• Anxiety, stress, and excessive mental pressure for a long time
• Gender: more common in women than men, especially in the postpartum period.
• Age: common in people between the ages of 20 and 40.
• Lifestyle factors such as inadequate diet and rest, lack of sleep, use of stimulants, and overwork… drain the body’s energy reserves

3/ Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?⁽³⁾

• Fatigue (main symptom), exhaustion, night sweats, pale skin, sometimes fainting, weakness lasting more than 6 months.
• Sore throat, muscle pain, joint pain but no redness.
• Soft lymph node swelling.
• Headache, trouble sleeping.
• Difficulty remembering or concentrating on something.
• Anxiety, confusion, pessimism, irritability, mood swings
• Apathy and depression.
• Loss of appetite, bloating, nausea, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
• Reduced sexual ability.

4/ Treatment and prevention for chronic fatigue system?⁽⁴⁾

The treatment of fatigue is quite complicated since there are no specific drugs, and it requires a combination of many therapies and proper treatment to help patients return to normal life.

• Follow the treatment regimen of the specialist doctors.
• Some pain relievers, anti-inflammatory, sedatives, anti-depressants, vitamins… can be prescribed by doctors to ease symptoms of headaches, muscle aches, insomnia, anxiety… when symptoms are at a heavy level. But this is only a temporary solution, not be used long-term and often.
• The herbs have tonic properties to improve health, increasing blood circulation effectiveness, reducing weakness, and fatigue. This method should be used regularly, continuously and in the right way, at the right dose.
• Behavioral and cognitive adjustment: advise the patient to change the way of thinking and behaving in a positive direction
• Exercise also is an important part of the treatment
• Should eat selectively, suitable for health, dilute processing, and easy to swallow.
• The menu needs to ensure 4 ingredients (protein, fat, powdered sugar, and vitamins)

+ According to the nutritional study of the National Institute of Nutrition, vitamins for people with fatigue are vitamin C and vitamin B.⁽⁵⁾

Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation, and tissue repair in the body, and it increases resistance, immunity, and the stability of blood vessels.⁽⁵⁾

Group vitamins B (8 types including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12) which are water-soluble play a very important role in the metabolism of cells and provide energy that is necessary for the body. They will combine and help strengthen the body’s resistance, and help the nervous system stay healthy. ⁽⁵⁾

+ Need to add more green vegetables such as cauliflower, and bok choy…. contain a lot of folic acid and vitamins good for health, and fruits like dragon fruit, grapes, oranges…

+ Add omega-3, but need to consult a specialist about the dosage and how to supplement this fatty acid.⁽⁵⁾

• Having a reasonable and moderate mode of living, working, and resting.

+ Do not smoke or drink alcohol.

+ Do not put pressure on yourself, do not stay up at night, it is best to sleep early, and deeply, get enough sleep (7 hours a night), and rest by walking or relaxing

+ Do the most important tasks in the morning when you have a lot of energy, and ask for help when needed.

+ Join groups, and chat with people with similar problems to help each other

Prevention:

• Have a healthy lifestyle, and eat a balanced diet.
• You should see a doctor if you have any unusual symptoms or changes in your body.

5/ Herbal solutions to support health, and reduce weakness and fatigue

Since ancient times, many natural herbs proven to improve health and the immune system effects, and increase blood circulation in the brain. Therefore, in addition to a reasonable diet, supplementing with vitamins and omega -3 and the following herbs will support well for fatigue and weakness:

– Ginseng is the best choice ⁽⁶⁾

Ginseng: The popular herbal in oriental medicine improves gas and blood. Ginseng is a top-class medicine for improving health, enhancing physical and mental performance.⁽⁶⁾ The main active ingredients of ginseng are ginsenosides, which have proven in increasing energy, reducing fatigue, improving nervous tension, stimulating the immune system, lowering blood sugar, lowering bad cholesterol, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.⁽⁷⁾

Over 32% of the US population uses dietary supplements, of which ginseng is in the top 10 most used herbal products. The method of reducing fatigue with ginseng herbs brings good recovery to the body and increases energy. ⁽⁸⁾

– Ginkgo biloba:

Ginkgo biloba is a valuable medicinal herb for the brain. Ginkgo has been used as a medicine in the West since the 1900s when the extract from the leaves was effective in improving blood circulation, especially in the blood vessels of the brain and extremities. Currently, in the US and Europe, preparations with high Ginkgo biloba leaves are now one of the best-selling herbal medicines.⁽⁹⁾

Ginkgo leaves contain terpenoids, flavonoids and some other components. The main active ingredient flavonoids are powerful antioxidants that improve circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing the “stickiness” of platelets.⁽⁹⁾

Studies show that taking Ginkgo biloba extract can reduce anxiety, improve memory, reduce dizziness, and increase blood circulation in the brain, eyes, and peripheral areas.⁽⁹⁾

– Blueberry:

The super food is low in calories and extremely healthy. Blueberries have the highest antioxidant content of all fruits and vegetables. The main antioxidant compound is anthocyanin which can neutralize some free radical agents that damage DNA, cells, heart and brain function. That’s why blueberries are very good for preventing aging and cancer, improving heart health, cognition and brain circulation.⁽¹⁰⁾

In a human study, nine older adults with mild cognitive impairment drank blueberry juice every day for 12 weeks. The results showed that there are positive signs in increasing nerve signals in the brain center, memory capacity, and cognitive ability.⁽¹¹⁾

A six-year study of more than 16,000 older individuals found that blueberries and strawberries reduced mental aging by up to 2.5 years.⁽¹²⁾

Tài liệu tham khảo:

1. http://www.yersinclinic.com/vi/document/563/hoi-chung-met-moi-man-tinh
2. https://medlatec.vn/tin-tuc/nhung-dau-hieu-suy-nhuoc-co-the-va-huong-dieu-tri-s195-n22733
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-cases/syc-20360490
4. https://www.vinmec.com/vi/tin-tuc/thong-tin-suc-khoe/dau-hieu-canh-bao-suy-nhuoc-co/
5. https://www.vinmec.com/vi/tin-tuc/thong-tin-suc-khoe/dinh-duong-cho-nguoi-suy-nhuoc-co-the/
6. https://suckhoedoisong.vn/nhan-sam-vi-thuoc-dai-bo-voi-nguoi-suy-nhuoc-co-the-169210804200552425.htm
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/ginsenoside
8. Noël M. Arring, Denise Millstine, Lisa A. Marks, and Lillian M. Nail. Ginseng as a Treatment for Fatigue: A Systematic Review. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(2018)
9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/ginkgo-biloba
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/blueberries
11. ROBERT KRIKORIAN,*† MARCELLE D SHIDLER,† TIFFANY A NASH,†# WILHELMINA KALT,‡ MELINDA R VINQVIST-TYMCHUK,‡ BARBARA SHUKITT-HALE,§ and JAMES A JOSEPH§. Blueberry Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults. J Agric Food Chem,58(2010), pp.3996–4000.
12. Elizabeth E. Devore ScD,Jae Hee Kang ScD,Monique M. B. Breteler MD, PhD,Francine Grodstein ScD . Dietary intakes of berries and flavonoids in relation to cognitive decline. Annals of Neurology, 72(2012), pp.135-143