Fatigue that won't go away: How to win against Long COVID and CFS?
Published Sept. 26, 2024 10:03
This, unfortunately, is what life is like for many people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS - from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) and from post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as long COVID. Patients, struggling with these conditions, experience fatigue not as a temporary condition, but as a constant "companion" that robs them of their strength, enthusiasm and ability to function normally on a daily basis. For these people, fatigue becomes a real adversary that they have to fight, fight with their residual strength ...every day.
What are CFS and Long COVID?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a much more complex condition than some of us may think. It's a disease that doesn't go away after a long night's sleep or a dream rest in nature. Its sources are manifold - from immune disorders to endocrine disorders to nervous system dysfunctions. Long COVID, on the other hand, has emerged as a new, unexpected "phenomenon." It would seem that after a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the body should return to normal. However, thousands of people around the world are experiencing lingering effects of the infection that never seem to go away. What may be surprising is that the understanding of these conditions by those affected is the first step to reclaiming their lives.
How do you find your way to health? Hope in science
As medical research goes deeper and medicine makes more strides, new hopeful treatments are emerging.
It seems to me that the question "Will I ever return to a normal life?" is one I hear more and more often.... The answer to this very difficult question lies in the combination of modern science and holistic treatments that treat the body and mind as one inseparable whole.
Holistic approach
Modern research emphasizes that the treatment of CFS and long COVID requires a multidimensional approach. It is not only medicine, but also psychology, dietetics, physiotherapy. Each of these elements helps to restore balance in the body. Doctors treating these disease entities for the benefit of patients work with psychologists to develop plans that include both body and soul.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT is a method that provides relief from the daily struggles of CFS and long COVID. It helps patients understand their limitations and learn to function with them without losing hope. It's the art of finding balance, where changing one's mindset opens new doors to a life of strength.
Balance in supplementation and nutrition
It seems that proper nutrition is the key to everything. And while it may sound like a cliché, research shows that properly selected supplementation with vitamin D, zinc or coenzyme Q10 helps fight chronic fatigue. For those affected by long COVID, the role of adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, is becoming increasingly important.
Physical activity - step by step
Any movement is a challenge. But properly dosed physical activity, conducted under the watchful eye of a specialist, brings long-term benefits. Graded exercise therapy (GET) is a method of small steps that restore strength without overtaxing the body.
LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone: New hope for patients
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has gained prominence as an innovative therapy for the treatment of CFS and long COVID, as evidenced by the 2020-2024 study. LDN acts as a modulator of the immune system, helping the body fight chronic inflammation and nervous system dysfunction. Although LDN was originally used for the treatment of addiction, its low doses have a different effect: they stimulate the production of endorphins, which not only improve mood, but also affect the regeneration of the nervous system. LDN has a proven effect in reducing chronic fatigue and improving overall quality of life, making it a promising therapeutic option.
Stress reduction and psychological support
Anyone who experiences chronic fatigue knows that fatigue is not just about the body - it's also about the mind. That's why it's so important to get psychological support and learn relaxation techniques like meditation, mindfulness, or simply learning deep breathing to calm the mind.
Immunomodulation - a new treatment direction
Pharmacotherapy for people with long COVID is still being developed, but early studies are bringing hope. Immunomodulation, or regulation of the immune system, may be one of the key tools in the fight against chronic fatigue.
Hope: a step toward the fullness of life
For anyone struggling with chronic fatigue, the most important thing is not to lose hope. Every case is different, and the road to recovery is not always easy, but everyone has a rhythm. Everyone has his or her own time to get back to full strength. The support provided by medicine, psychology and the right approach to the body and mind is becoming more available today than ever before.
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Marek Derkacz









