Definition
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that causes - in individuals who suffer from it - a constant and inexplicable sense of fatigue, that even rest is not able to decrease.
This syndrome is also known as " chronic fatigue syndrome ", "CFS" or as " myalgic encephalomyelitis ".
Chronic fatigue syndrome appears to be particularly common in people between the ages of 40 and 50 and appears to occur with greater incidence in female patients.
Causes
Unfortunately, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome has not yet been identified, although there are numerous hypotheses in this regard.
The most accredited theories are those that suggest that factors such as viral infections, immune system defects, hormonal imbalances or psychological disorders may be the basis of this disorder.
Symptoms
In addition to the persistent sense of fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome can cause symptoms such as: myalgia, arthralgia, swollen lymph nodes, headache, sore throat, memory impairment and concentration.
Furthermore, if fatigue is excessive, it can interfere with all the patient's activities, making it impossible even to leave the house. All this can lead the patient to a social isolation that, in turn, can favor the development of a depression.
Information on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Drugs and Care is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Drugs and Care.
drugs
There are currently no drugs for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
The therapeutic approaches that are carried out, therefore, are aimed only at reducing the symptoms induced by the syndrome, in an attempt to improve the quality of life of the patients who suffer from it.
Unfortunately, the success of therapeutic strategies is not always assured and the response of patients can vary greatly from one individual to another. In some cases, one can even see a worsening of the symptoms.
However, the symptomatic treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome requires that patients follow a cognitive-behavioral therapy, to teach them to accept their disorder and recognize the symptoms, so that they can be controlled in some way.
Besides this therapeutic strategy, moreover, a therapy based on gradual physical exercise can be undertaken. This therapy involves the performance of physical activity with small and gradual increases in the intensity and duration of the same exercise.
In patients in whom chronic fatigue syndrome is so severe as to lead to the onset of depression, the doctor may decide to intervene through the administration of antidepressant drugs associated with adequate psychotherapy.
Finally, in the case where myalgia and arthralgia caused by the syndrome are particularly intense, the use of painkillers may be useful, but only on the advice of the doctor.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be prescribed by your doctor to treat depression which can often occur in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Among the most widely used antidepressants, we recall:
- Amitriptyline (Laroxyl ®): Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (or TCA). It is an active ingredient available for oral administration in the form of oral tablets or drops. The dose of drug usually used varies from 10 mg to 50 mg, to be taken once or more per day. The doctor will determine the optimal dosage for each patient.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac ®): Fluoxetine is an antidepressant belonging to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (or SSRI) class. The dose of medication usually used in adult patients is 20 mg a day, to be taken orally. If necessary, the doctor may increase the amount of the drug administered up to a maximum of 60 mg a day.
Paracetamol
Paracetamol is a drug with antipyretic and analgesic properties that can be useful in the treatment of headaches, joint pains and muscle pains typical of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Paracetamol (Tachipirina ®, Efferalgan ®, Panadol ®) is available in various pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different administration routes.
The dose of drug usually used orally in adult patients is 500-1, 000 mg, generally, to be taken 2-4 times a day, with intervals of at least four hours between one administration and another.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to treat muscle and joint pain that characterizes chronic fatigue syndrome.
There are several active ingredients that can be used for this purpose. Among these, we recall:
- Diclofenac (Dicloreum ®, Deflamat ®, Voltaren ®): diclofenac is available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different administration routes.
When administered orally, the dose of diclofenac usually used is 75-150 mg per day, to be taken in divided doses.
In any case, it is up to the doctor to establish the exact dosage of the medicine that each patient will have to use.
- Naproxen (Momendol ®, Synflex ®, Xenar ®): also naproxen is available in different pharmaceutical formulations which make it possible to administer it through different routes.
When administered orally, the usual amount of naproxen is 500-1, 000 mg per day, to be taken in divided doses every 12 hours. However, even in this case, the doctor will determine the exact amount of active ingredient that each patient will have to take.
- Ibuprofen (Brufen ®, Moment ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ®, Vicks fever and pain ®): when administered orally, the dose of ibuprofen used should not exceed 1, 200-1, 800 mg of active ingredient per day. The most suitable dose for each patient will be established by the doctor.
