by Scholten A

Other Treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

Treatment of CFS should be tailored to meet your individual needs. In addition to medications and alternative therapies, the following treatments may be beneficial.
Modest, regular exercise is important to avoid deconditioning. Talk to your doctor about your exercise plan.
Pace yourself carefully. Avoid unusual physical or emotional stress. A regular, manageable daily routine of activity is best. If you overexert yourself during periods of better health, you may have a relapse of symptoms. You may need to explain your situation to your employer or your family members.
Certain psychotherapies, such as cognitive behavior therapy, can help you cope with and relieve some of the issues associated with CFS. Cognitive behavior therapy can help you examine your feelings and thought patterns, learn to interpret them in a more realistic way, and apply coping techniques to various situations. In addition, family therapy may foster good communication and reduce the adverse impact of CFS on your family. Joining a support group with other CFS patients may help as well.
A variety of relaxation techniques can help you to cope more effectively with the stresses. Examples include: meditation, deep breathing, progressive relaxation, yoga, and biofeedback. These techniques can help you pay attention to tension in your body and release it with exercises that help quiet your mind and relax your muscles.
A balanced diet is important for your recovery. It can also help you feel better. Don’t skip meals, even if you only eat small amounts. Your diet should be low in saturated fat and sugar. It should be high in fiber, whole grains , fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Drink plenty of water.

References

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment. American Academy of Family Physicians Familydoctor website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/treatment.html . Updated November 2010. Accessed December 28, 2012.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/management/index.html . Updated May 16, 2012. Accessed December 28, 2012.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://dynamed.ebscohost.com/about/about-us . Updated November 10, 2012. Accessed December 28, 2012.

Craig T, Kakumanu S. Chronic fatigue syndrome: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2002;65:1083-1090.

Devanur LD, Kerr JR. Chronic fatigue syndrome. J Clin Virol. 2006;37:139-150.

Prins JB, van der Meer JW, Bleijenberg G. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet. 2006;367:346-355.

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