| Key Symptoms |
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CFS - Research Criteria |
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| Fatiguability - Physically & Mentally |
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Full assessment to exclude other diagnoses |
| Post exertion malaise > 24 hours |
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Disabling fatigue > 6 months (Children, 3 months) |
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| Physical signs |
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Prognosis |
| Inflamed Pharynx |
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Untreated 23 - 30% improve |
| Tender or enlarged lymph nodes |
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Treated 70 - 80% improve |
| Low grade fever |
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| Muscle tenderness - focal points |
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Triggers |
| Abnormal Romberg test (Balance) |
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Virus/other infection |
| Weakness of muscle groups |
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Acute or severe stress |
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Neurotoxin |
| Immunological Symptoms |
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Onset: Gradual or sudden |
| Painful glands (Cervical/axillary) |
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| Sore throat |
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| Multiple joint pains |
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Treatment |
| Central Nervous system symptoms |
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Drugs |
| Impaired balance |
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Anti-depressants |
| Unrefreshing sleep |
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-Worth three month trial |
| New headaches |
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- Low dose |
| Hypersomnia (Sleep reversal) |
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- Tricyclic or SSRI |
| Mood swings |
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- Evening Primrose oil (2g daily) |
| Learning difficulties |
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| Sensory disturbances |
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Symptom Relief |
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Pain, sleep, depression |
| Autonomic dysfunction |
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| Blurred vision |
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Nutrition |
| Appetite, weight, nausea, bowels |
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Varied balanced diet |
| Blood pressure, heart rate, 'Grey face' |
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Small regular meals |
| Breathing rhythm |
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Consider avoiding alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar |
| Temperature, sweating |
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Vitamin supplements if required |
| Blood sugar |
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Consider exclusion or anti-candida diets |
| Bladder instability |
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Complementary treatment |
| Cognitive dysfunction |
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Acupuncture |
| Memory, concentration |
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Homeopathy |
| Comprehension |
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Meditation/Relaxation |
| Sequencing events or numbers |
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Prayer/Healing |
| Processing, maintaining, expressing thoughts |
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Yoga |
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| Muscle Symptoms |
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Lifestyle Management |
| Pain - Myalgia |
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| Weakness |
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Activity quantity |
| Twitching/ fasciculation |
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- Find sustainable baseline level of physical and mental activity |
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-Gradually increase |
| Causes of Relapse |
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-Alternate physical and mental activity |
| Over activity |
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-Budget energy carefully |
| Stress |
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-Phased return to Work/School |
| Infections |
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-Set Priorities |
| Immunisations |
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| Surgery/Trauma |
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Active quality |
| Temperature extremes |
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-Include Fun/Creativity |
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| Summary |
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Rest quantity |
| Consider the whole person |
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-Regular pattern |
| -Physical, Psychological, Social, Spiritual |
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-Sleep management |
| Identify symptoms/Problems |
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-Rest mentally as well as physically |
| Choose priorities |
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| Set realistic and achievable goals |
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Rest quality |
| Support & Encourage |
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-Building up sense of worth |
| Create a team of helpers |
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-Letting go of tensions |
| Communicate with each other |
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-Help with benefits, problems etc. |
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| Management Principles |
- No magic pill |
| - Face reality of illness |
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| Help body to help itself |
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| - Lifestyle/Nutrition |
