COVID has altered our lives in almost every possible way, and those who’ve experienced long-COVID know that the problems don’t end when the virus does – enter, chronic fatigue syndrome. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of COVID, and the effects can last up to months after the virus has left your system.
Chronic fatigue syndrome also threatens to affect most people with long COVID, greatly altering the ability to function in your daily life the way you’re used to. People with prolonged CFS encounter issues with their mental health and develop disorders like anxiety and depression. It has led to a search for answers and ways to fight this debilitating problem.
What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a common result of long COVID. Unlike other symptoms of COVID like headaches and coughs, chronic fatigue is difficult to identify and diagnose. CFS is a disorder that causes extreme fatigue that doesn’t go away with rest. Symptoms often get worse after mental and physical activity and the reality of fatigue makes it difficult to complete daily tasks and live a normal life.
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue is not just sleepiness, it is mental and physical shutdown. No matter how much rest you get, chronic fatigue still plagues your daily life, blocking your ability to function the way most of us need to. Fatigue from Covid doesn’t just affect your physical ability to get things done, but your mental processes too. Some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome post-covid are listed below.
- Difficulty with memory
- Problems with sleep
- Joint and muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Unpredictable moodiness
- Inability to focus
- Poor appetite
- Headaches
Natural Ways to Fight COVID Fatigue
Chronic illness of any kind feels defeating. Those who are fighting chronic fatigue from covid know just how frustrating and stressful it is to experience. The duration of covid fatigue will vary for everyone, but it can affect your life for months.
It’s hard to heal without a strong, supportive lifestyle. The foundation of your health plays an important role in your improvement with chronic fatigue syndrome. You can fight CFS from COVID by optimizing your health and being kind to yourself while you heal. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some valuable tips that will help you on your journey.
–
Slow Down
This one may sound odd, but the pressure to perform the way you did before fatigue makes symptoms worse. Take the time to assess what your new “normal” energy level is for each day and set new expectations from that benchmark.
Adjusting your expectations for yourself will relieve a lot of stress caused from unmet expectations. Ditching this energy-draining practice will allow you to put your much needed energy into things that matter to you.
Learning how to pace yourself is the first step. Over time, you can begin to rebuild your energy levels and set new benchmarks.
–
Prioritize Rest
Your body will need time to heal post-COVID fatigue. Instead of judging yourself for how long it will take to recover, give your body what it’s asking for.
The sooner you let yourself rest, the sooner your symptoms will start to fade. Allow yourself to take frequent breaks and naps if you need them. Add activities into your day that make you feel rejuvenated and promote a feeling of calmness.
–
Optimize Hydration and Nutrition
It’s the simple things that make the biggest difference. Poor hydration and nutrition both inflame symptoms of fatigue. Ensure that you are getting the right amount of nutrients needed each day to function at your best.
You can also optimize your hydration levels by supplementing your water with electrolytes and eating water-rich foods and vegetables. As for nutrition, eating foods that increase energy levels like polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats will help you beat fatigue.
–
Exercise
Chronic fatigue will alter the way you approach movement, but it’s still important to make it a daily habit. If you can only manage a brisk walk, that’s normal and okay. Your body is still healing and strenuous exercise can make things worse, so starting small is best. Making the effort to get your blood flowing without overdoing it will help you regain your energy levels and improve symptoms of fatigue.
Get Treatment for Chronic Fatigue
If you aren’t finding relief from chronic fatigue no matter how hard you try, it’s important to talk to your Physician about effective ways to manage your symptoms and increase your quality of life. Fortunately, there are many new tools and technologies that can help you fight the battle with Long COVID and chronic fatigue.
–
IV Therapy
IV therapy is a specially formulated cocktail of nutrients that are administered through an IV. This method of receiving nutrients is more effective than taking nutrients orally, because it allows them to be directly absorbed into the bloodstream. These nutrient-dense cocktails help to improve cognitive function, energy, and overall wellness.
IV therapy is an effective way to get all of the essential nutrients that help treat symptoms of chronic fatigue. At Shakthi health and wellness, we offer 4 different IV infusion recipes so you can treat the symptoms most relevant for you. Whether you need to alleviate stress caused by CFS or give your brain a boost for better daily performance, IV therapy works to minimize symptoms of COVID fatigue.
–
Stellate Ganglion Block Injections
A Stellate Ganglion Block procedure involves local anesthesia into the nerve site that is causing pain or fatigue. SGB also significantly improves mental health and symptoms of anxiety and depression, a common issue that many people with chronic fatigue face.
The nervous system faces multiple consequences after fighting Long COVID. Stellate Ganglion Blocks are effective at resetting the nervous system, making them an attractive option for treating symptoms of Long COVID. Headaches and fatigue after COVID can be greatly reduced with SGB. While the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome post COVID is still new, stellate ganglion blocks offer promising results.
–
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient healing modality that began thousands of years ago. It has been used to treat a wide range of health conditions including pain and fatigue. Acupuncture therapy involves needles being inserted into meridian points of the body in order to stimulate the nervous system. Acupuncture works to improve the body’s ability to heal and encourages full body wellness.
Acupuncture is an alternative therapy that can be used to treat many symptoms that come with Long COVID. It is used to relieve fatigue, headaches, sleep abnormalities, and other types of pain.
–
Talk Therapy
Most people who experience chronic fatigue syndrome are affected mentally. CFS affects every part of your life, so it’s no wonder that people develop problems with depression and anxiety. Counseling is more than just treatment for mental health, it can help you manage physical symptoms that come with chronic fatigue.
People who feel most affected by the mental health affects of chronic fatigue could greatly benefit from therapy. One therapy in particular – cognitive behavioral therapy – has been popular among psychologists who work with people experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome. CBT helps people gain a new perspective on their pain and ways to cope with symptoms.
Looking for an Answer to Chronic Fatigue after COVID?
As holistic wellness professionals, we understand your desire to take control of your health in a natural, effective way. No two people will experience identical post-covid symptoms and chronic fatigue. Our goal at Shakthi Health and Wellness center is to work with you to come up with personalized treatment options that acknowledge your uniqueness.
We provide a variety of holistic medicine treatments that focus on whole body wellness and aim to treat the root cause of your health problems. If you’re suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome and want to avoid traditional medicine, we are here to help you find solutions.
Contact our office today for an appointment!