Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest and cannot be explained by any other medical condition. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome will most likely feel tired, very often even when no activity takes place. Chronic fatigue syndrome affects around 50,000-175,000 people in Australia.

What are symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Headaches
Physical fatigue
Mental fatigue
Concentration difficulties
Sore throat
Tender glands
Joint pain
Myalgia

Bowel problems
Photophobia
Sleep disturbance
Temperature dysregulation
Dizziness
Anxiety
Depression

What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder characterised by extreme fatigue that doesn’t get better with rest and cannot be explained by any other medical condition. It is also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome will most likely feel tired, very often even when no activity takes place. Chronic fatigue syndrome affects around 50,000-175,000 people in Australia.

How can Bites Dietitians help?

Diet plays an important role in managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In some patients with CFS, correcting micronutrient deficiencies such as B vitamins, vitamin D and Iron can greatly improve fatigue symptoms. A proper assessment of macronutrient intake and in particular checking that total energy intake is sufficient to match your needs is helpful to ensure you’re able to manage your fatigue as best as you can. It can be also helpful to add some structure to your daily macronutrient intake to ensure regular energy is delivered as needed which can be difficult when chronic fatigue is typically cyclical in nature with “good days” and “bad days” affecting your ability to eat and prepare your food. We can help design a meal plan that conserves your energy and is easy to apply in your day to day life. We can also recommend easy to prepare recipes if this is something that would benefit you.

You and your dietitian will work closely together to create strategies to help minimise any difficulties that may be present in your life such as buying and/or preparing food and adjust these as necessary.

An interesting fact about diet and chronic fatigue syndrome

There is a lot of confusing information on the internet about diet and chronic fatigue syndrome. One of the biggest misconceptions is that certain diets such as paleo or blood type diets can help relieve symptoms. There is no evidence proving this and these diets can actually complicate things further and worsen symptoms as they restrict specific food groups making it more difficult to achieve your nutritional requirements.

How can Bites Exercise Physiologists help?

Participating in exercise can help to improve an individual’s symptoms. Our Exercise Physiologists are trained to work with CFS and understand that exercise recommendations for people with chronic fatigue syndrome are not the same as those for the general population. In fact, asking someone with CFS to spend 30 minutes lifting weights in the gym or go for a 60 minute walk may cause someone who is functioning well with CFS to crash or “boom” and “bust”. Most research points towards GET or Graded Exercise Therapy where exercises are prescribed at very low intensities or for short durations with lots of rest/recovery and progression is done very gradually.

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An interesting about exercise and chronic fatigue syndrome

Exercise can easily trigger and worsen your symptoms if not prescribed correctly. All physical activity including your daily steps should be counted as exercise. You and your exercise physiologist will go through your current lifestyle and quantify activity levels before establishing an exercise routine that is appropriate.

What improvements can you expect from a tailored dietary/ exercise plan?

Individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome will usually experience their worst symptoms within the first 2 years of the illness. For most people, they will begin to improve gradually, however, energy levels may not always return to how they were prior to illness. Improvement will vary from person to person, so there is no set criteria on what to expect. However, some examples of improvements you might directly expect as a result of following a tailored dietary/exercise plan may include:

Improvements in sleep quality and reduced night wakings
Regular bowel movements
Reduced headaches
Improved physical and mental fatigue
Reduced joint pain
Increased functional capacity (ability to do more things in the day despite ongoing fatigue)
Increased concentration and focus ability.

Comparing your activity diary from your first sessions to later sessions should also indicate how your energy levels have improved!

Helpful things to bring/remember before your first appointment

Pathology results
Any journals or diaries you have been keeping
Referral if you have one
List of medications and dosages
GP and or specialist notes

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Contact Details

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305/29–31 Lexington Drive, Bella Vista NSW 2153

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0452 458 146

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