Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was discovered by Dr. Paul Cheney in the United States back in 1984. Every year, this disease is diagnosed in new patients around the world. Their number in Russia has recently increased due to the coronavirus pandemic, experts say. Chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed in some Russians who have recovered from COVID-19, and in those who have experienced severe stress from what is happening around. As the experts clarified, if you suspect you have symptoms of this ailment, you do not need to rush to take pills. What three main reasons can provoke this disease, how to deal with it and what skill will help prevent unpleasant consequences, NEWS.ru figured out.
Earned a problem
The most common symptoms of chronic fatigue include irritability, frequent headaches, weakness, feeling sleep deprived of sleep, and problems with concentration and memory. In this list, many Russians will find something familiar that has been causing them discomfort for a long time. During the pandemic, residents of our country began to complain more often about such concerns. Stress therapist Varvara Brusnitsyna told NEWS.ru about this. According to the specialist, chronic fatigue symptoms occur for three reasons.
The first is astheno-vegetative syndrome, which appears in humans after a viral infection. Of course, the coronavirus has made its "contribution" here too. Depending on which part of the nervous system was affected by COVID-19, Russians may develop various ailments over time, the specialist explains. According to the doctor, the problem is that some residents of our country immediately begin to take various psychostimulants. It doesn't really solve the problem.
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Author: Varvara Brusnitsyna [stress therapist, psychologist, anesthesiologist-resuscitator, physician of exercise therapy and sports medicine]
The second reason is PTSD. This is a protracted stressful reaction to some threatening event. The coronavirus is one of those. Moreover, it may not immediately manifest itself in a person. People with this syndrome constantly feel tired, anxious, depressed, they do not have a sense of joy. A third cause of chronic fatigue symptom is the effects of burnout. And if such people have recently been ill, then the virus additionally negatively affects them.
Stop and wait
The expert advised Russians who are faced with symptoms of chronic fatigue not to withdraw into themselves. It must be admitted that this problem exists and for some time productivity will really be at zero. According to the specialist, during the period of emotional overload or recovery from an illness, it is worth gradually turning on physical activity: walking, doing exercises and breathing exercises, and establishing a work and rest routine.
At work, you need to take a five-minute break every hour, eat well, do not refuse the help of friends and family. The doctor also concluded that each patient will need a different amount of time to cope with the disease.
As a neurologist Rustem Gaifutdinov explained to NEWS.ru, chronic fatigue is already a severe form of the disease, in which a person completely loses his ability to work. But with overload at work or after an infection, asthenic syndrome may occur. According to the physician, during the period of mass incidence of COVID-19, this problem is, of course, quite relevant.
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Author: Rustem Gaifutdinov [neurologist]
During such a period, Russians may feel a decrease in concentration of attention, memory impairment. Chronic diseases and bad habits can also aggravate the situation. Asthenic syndrome is more susceptible to neurotics than others. As for post-infectious asthenia, it all depends on the severity of the form of the transferred coronavirus. Those who have been ill in a mild form are more likely to recover quickly and without any special negative consequences.
Sports for the nerves
To avoid the occurrence of chronic fatigue syndrome, Russians should not only train their physical health, but also psychological. This opinion was shared with NEWS.ru by the chief freelance medical psychologist of the Russian Ministry of Health Yuri Zinchenko. The expert called self-regulation the most effective preventive measure in this case.
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Author: Yuri Zinchenko [chief freelance medical psychologist of the Russian Ministry of Health, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology of Moscow State University, President of the Russian Psychological Society, President of the Russian Academy of Education, Academician of the Russian Academy of Education]
We need to learn, even in difficult situations, to stay in the cognitive zone of perception of what is happening and not allow emotions to guide us and our well-being. It was self-regulation that became the most important competence during the pandemic and allowed many of us to maintain our mental health and emotional state in normalcy, adapt to the new reality and even achieve success in the professional and personal spheres.
The expert also added that if a person cannot cope with a problem on his own, he does not need to postpone a consultation with a qualified specialist.