K.N.O.W. Home Health - CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, is a condition where you feel very tired for a long time. This tiredness doesn’t go away with rest and can make it hard to do daily activities.

Causes of CFS

Doctors don’t know exactly what causes CFS. It might happen after an infection, stress, or other health problems. Some think the immune system or brain might be involved.

Symptoms of CFS

Feeling very tired even after sleeping
Trouble thinking clearly (called “brain fog”)
Muscle or joint pain
Headaches
Trouble sleeping
Feeling sick after physical or mental activity
Sore throat or swollen glands

Treatments for CFS

There is no cure, but doctors help manage symptoms.
Rest when you need to but try to stay active slowly.
Medicine may help with pain, sleep problems, or depression.
Counseling or therapy can help you cope.
Some people benefit from physical therapy or gentle exercise.

Special Diet

There is no special diet for CFS.
Eating healthy foods and drinking water can help you feel better.
Avoid caffeine or sugar if they make your symptoms worse.

Special Considerations and Precautions

Pace yourself: don’t push too hard and cause more tiredness.
Keep a diary to track your symptoms and activities.
Get support from family, friends, or support groups.
Tell your doctor if symptoms change or get worse.

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

If your fatigue gets worse suddenly
If new symptoms appear, like fever or chest pain
If you feel very depressed or have thoughts of hurting yourself
If pain or other symptoms become hard to manage

When to Go to the Emergency Room

If you have severe chest pain or trouble breathing
If you faint or become very confused
If you have sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your body
If you have thoughts of suicide or self-harm and need urgent help

Patient Homework/Assessment:

True or False – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome means feeling very tired all the time.
True or False – Resting a lot will cure Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
True or False – Doctors know exactly what causes CFS.
True or False – Muscle pain and headaches can be symptoms of CFS.
True or False – There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed.
True or False – You should avoid all activity if you have CFS.
True or False – Keeping a diary of symptoms can help manage CFS.
True or False – Eating healthy foods can help you feel better with CFS.
True or False – Caffeine always helps people with CFS feel better.
True or False – Counseling can help people cope with CFS.
True or False – If you have chest pain, you should go to the emergency room.
True or False – Feeling very depressed is a reason to call your doctor.
True or False – Brain fog means you feel very clear and focused.
True or False – Physical therapy or gentle exercise may help some people with CFS.
True or False – You should tell your doctor if your symptoms change.
True or False – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is contagious.
True or False – You may feel worse after physical or mental activity with CFS.
True or False – Severe weakness on one side of your body is an emergency.
True or False – CFS only affects people over 60 years old.
True or False – Support from family and friends can help manage CFS.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

“Can you describe how often you experience overwhelming fatigue, and are there certain activities or times of day that make it worse?”

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

“Do you find that everyday activities such as bathing, cooking, or walking cause your symptoms to flare, and do you ever feel unsafe or at risk of falling when tired?”

Treatment Adherence:

“How are you managing with your current treatment plan, such as pacing your activities, taking prescribed medications, or following sleep and diet recommendations?”

Preventive Measures:

“What strategies are you using to prevent flare-ups, such as balancing activity with rest, stress reduction, or avoiding known triggers?”