ME/CFS

Do you feel you need more sleep every day? Even with a regular schedule, you may still have the same problem of needing more sleep. This may be suffering from “chronic fatigue syndrome,” especially if there is no apparent, single cause.

Contents hide

1 ME/CFS

1.1 What is CFS?

1.2 Symptoms

1.3 Other Common Symptoms

1.4 Symptoms Management

1.5 Self-Care

1.6 Reference

What is CFS?

Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called: CFS, ME/CFS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, SEID, Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease. It (CFS) is a severe, long-term illness affecting many body systems.

Symptoms

In addition to fatigue, symptoms may include:

Extreme exhaustion after physical or mental exercise.
Problems with memory or thinking skills.
Dizziness that worsens with moving from lying down or sitting to standing.
Muscle or joint pain.
Unrefreshing sleep.

Other Common Symptoms

Some people with CFS have headaches, sore throats, and tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits. People with the condition also may become extra sensitive to light, sound, smells, food, and medicines.

Symptoms Management

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture can specifically affect CFS.

Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Depression, Stress, and Anxiety
Sleep problem
Post-exertional malaise (PEM)

Self-Care

It is recommended that patients gradually increase the amount of exercise, starting with 3 to 5 minutes of low-intensity aerobic exercise every day and then increasing the amount of activity by 20% every 2 or 3 weeks and gradually extending it to one day 30 minutes, adjust the physical fitness.

To reduce stress and anxiety without medication and promote a sense of well-being, less severely affected patients with ME/CFS might benefit from techniques like deep breathing and muscle relaxation, massage, and movement therapies (such as stretching, yoga, and tai chi).

Reference

Zhang Q, Gong J, Dong H, Xu S, Wang W, Huang G. Acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acupunct Med. 2019 Aug;37(4):211-222. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2017-011582. Epub 2019 Jun 17. PMID: 31204859.

Xue K, Wang Y, Wang X, Chen P, Xiao C, Fu J, Cui J. The efficacy and safety of moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 May 7;100(18):e25742. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000025742. PMID: 33950958; PMCID: PMC8104202.

Xie F, You Y, Guan C, Xu J, Yao F. The Qigong of Prolong Life With Nine Turn Method Relieve Fatigue, Sleep, Anxiety and Depression in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Jun 30;9:828414. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.828414. PMID: 35847786; PMCID: PMC9280429.

Fang Y, Yue BW, Ma HB, Yuan YP. Acupuncture and moxibustion for chronic fatigue syndrome: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022 Aug 5;101(31):e29310. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000029310. PMID: 35945779; PMCID: PMC9351926.

Tang L, Jiang T, ZHu FY, Liu Z, Wu X. Acupuncture therapy on chronic fatigue syndrome based on radar plot: A protocol for an overview of systematic reviews. Medicine (Baltimore). 2021 Apr 9;100(14):e24572. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000024572. PMID: 33832063; PMCID: PMC8036103.

Yin ZH, Wang LJ, Cheng Y, Chen J, Hong XJ, Zhao L, Liang FR. Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. Chin J Integr Med. 2021 Dec;27(12):940-946. doi: 10.1007/s11655-020-3195-3. Epub 2020 Apr 1. PMID: 32279152.

CDC- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis