Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a medical condition affecting roughly one million people in the United States. The condition affects women more often than men, and adults more often than children or the elderly.

There seems to be a genetic component to the syndrome. Some people may be more likely to develop CFS due to their genes. Furthermore, these people usually have more severe symptoms and struggle with the disease for longer periods of time.

The main symptom of CFS is extreme fatigue that does not get better with rest. Other symptoms include trouble sleeping and unsatisfying sleep, headaches, joint and muscle pain, sore throat, swollen and tender lymph nodes, and difficulty concentrating along with poor short-term memory. Generally, exertion, whether physical or mental, makes these symptoms worse.

Should People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Exercise?

Because exertion makes symptoms worse, doctors have usually counseled their patients not to exercise. Many still hold to this theory. However, new research is emerging that seems to contradict this traditional axiom.

Exercise Therapy

Exercise therapy has proven beneficial to people with mild cases of CFS. Exercise therapy consists of three to five aerobic sessions every week for three months. Studies have shown that patients with mild symptoms can reap benefits from this type of exercise regimen. They feel less fatigued, sleep better, and are better able to work and function in day-to-day life. The beneficial effects of exercise therapy can be increased by combining it with a course of antidepressants, particularly Prozac.

Graded Exercise

For people with more severe forms of CFS, the vigorous activity required by exercise therapy can cause a drastic increase in their symptoms. For these people, exercise therapy would do more harm than good. A more graded exercise program is much more helpful.

The graded exercise approach is based on very gradually building up exercise duration and intensity. For these patients, aerobic exercise of any kind can cause a relapse, and so they are advised to start out with gentle exercises such as Tai-Chi or yoga. When they feel ready, they can progress to light weigh lifting and walking.

It is very important for these people not to overtax themselves, and so they are advised to only very slowly, and in small increments, add to the length or intensity of their exercise sessions. It is not uncommon to add just one more minute to the routine at a time.

If the patient notices any new symptoms from this increase, she immediately goes back to the previous length. Furthermore, these people are advised not to exercise during times when the CFS symptoms are especially active. The end goal is about three exercise sessions a week. Pacing, interspersing rest with activity, is key.

Graded exercise has been very helpful to many people with CFS, and unlike exercise therapy, which can be harmful to some, has had no adverse effects. Because of the slow advancement in treatment regimen, it will, however, take longer to see results than it would with exercise therapy.

If you suffer from CFS and are considering adding exercise to your treatment, always consult with your physician first. Together, you can make up a plan that will allow you to benefit from exercising and reclaim some of the activities in your life without worsening your symptoms.

Resources:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome_and_exercise?OpenDocument

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/180_09_030504/llo10096_fm.html

http://www.webmd.com/news/20040723/exercise-helps-chronic-fatigue-syndrome