Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) is a very real and debilitating illness which is seriously misunderstood by a lot of people.
In a nutshell, it is like a complete power failure of the body. Nothing functions how it should do and the severe exhaustion that is felt throughout is very different from normal tiredness.
There is no single reason or cure for this condition.
Symptoms include debilitating fatigue, headaches, depression, palpitations, panic attacks, muscle aches, sleep disturbances, digestive problems, short-term memory loss, lack of concentration, sore glands and sore joints.
All systems in the body are affected: energy, neurological, psychological, circulatory, digestive, immune system and musculoskeletal, which makes it a multi-factoral condition that requires a complete overhaul of diet and lifestyle including physical and mental health.
Common causes and triggers include Epstein Barr virus, this is the most severe type of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), neck and spinal problems causing a restriction of blood supply to the brain, nutritional deficiencies, toxic overload, yeast and fungal overgrowth, long term stress and hormonal malfunctions.
Anti-depressants are commonly prescribed by doctors as most people struggle with this condition so much that they end up depressed even if they were not before!
This is not a cure but the justification behind it is that some people may find their mood lift that can help them deal with everything else! (And that's not including the side effects from the medication!)
I have had to make massive changes to every area of my life; however, the good news is that it gives us the opportunity to get to the root cause and improve our lives in areas that are no longer serving us. In my experience, the holistic approach is the only way to conquer this debilitating illness. What I have learned since I was diagnosed has been invaluable to me and I'm now thankful that I had the chance to turn my life around in ways I could never have imagined!
Yoga has been a lifesaver! But Yin yoga, in particular, has been the game changed for me! And something I will be eternally grateful for!
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