Long-term fatigue after high-risk behavior, don't always suspect AIDS: you may have chronic fatigue syndrome
A friend came to the hospital from another province to see me after reading some of my AIDS popular science articles and videos.
In the first sentence of the meeting, he said: Doctor Long, please treat me, I have "Yin AIDS", which has troubled me for many years!
I carefully read all the inspection reports he brought, and found that he had done countless tests for AIDS antigens, antibodies, and even HIV RNA, all of which were negative.
"You're fine!" I said.
"There's a problem. I'm sure I'm infected, and there are a lot of people saying that online. I'm feeling powerless all day now..." he said.
This friend is full of anger when he speaks, which is completely different from the impression of long-term fatigue patients. Because, for people who are seriously weak and tired, walking and talking will make the people next to them feel: "He is really tired."
Just because there is a high risk, and then there are some symptoms mentioned on the Internet, and I feel very tired, I believe that I am infected with AIDS.
Is it really?
Dr. Long came to popularize the "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome" today, which is very similar to this friend's symptoms.
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1 Are you tired?
Many people who are afraid of AIDS always say that their examinations are all right, but there are many symptoms of AIDS, the most important of which is fatigue.
Not only those who are afraid of AIDS, but also many patients with chronic hepatitis B or other liver diseases, fatigue is also one of the most common complaints. The so-called "complaint" is a very common medical term that refers to the main reason for a patient to seek medical attention.
Some of their normal lives are not affected, some may feel a decrease in their levels of physical activity, labor, mobility, and others may feel exhausted from just a little activity.
Some patients even had EMG examinations because of "fatigue", and it was found that their "fatigue" was completely different from neuronal fatigue. Neuronal fatigue, which manifests as a drop in the strength of one or more normal muscles, which they do not have, that is, they are not fatigued.
Older patients generally lack vitality and seem to have no desires in life. Not only themselves, but in the eyes of the people around them, they also looked "dead".
Many people have done various examinations, but the results are still nothing. They can't find the source of the problem. However, it seems that the physical fitness is better than ordinary people.
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2 Chronic fatigue syndrome
Many of these symptoms can be attributed to chronic fatigue syndrome, rather than a definite factor (such as AIDS).
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by extreme fatigue and fatigue as the main symptoms, and is accompanied by physical, motor, neurological, psychological and other related discomfort; there are even some atypical physical symptoms, such as headache and joint pain.
About 75% of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome are women aged 30 to 45, but in real life, more men are often consulted by doctors, which may be related to the fact that some women are shy about their symptoms.
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3 Diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, in which some valuable manifestations are listed that can be considered as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Recent or pre-existing fatigue, confirmed by clinical assessment, unexplained, persistent or recurring.
Symptoms are not due to overwork.
Cannot be improved by rest.
These symptoms can result in significantly lower levels of occupational, educational, social and personal activity than before.
People with the above symptoms can be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome when they have the following four or more of the following repeated attacks for more than 6 months:
Decreased memory or concentration.
Repeated or frequent sore throat.
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit.
Muscle pain.
Multiple joint pain, no redness and swelling.
New or severe headache.
Unable or difficult to regain energy after sleep.
Physical discomfort persists for more than 24 hours after exertion.
Note: The most critical part of diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome is to exclude other diseases.
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4 Possible causes of chronic fatigue syndrome
At present, the etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unclear. It has long been thought that it may be related to certain viral infections, and even some people who are AIDS-phobic believe that it is "negative AIDS".
- Viral infection
A remarkable phenomenon is that chronic fatigue syndrome usually occurs after some infectious diseases, such as Q fever, Lyme disease, mononucleosis, or EB virus infection or other viral infections, such as cytomegalovirus.
A retrovirus, EBV, and a group of mouse leukemia virus-related retroviruses and enteroviruses may be associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, but research in this area is currently stalled.
- Physical and psychological stress
Psychological stress, that is, the occurrence of something major or affecting the individual, is often a predisposing factor for chronic fatigue syndrome.
Sometimes, these things seem trivial to others, such as going on a date with a netizen, using sex toys, etc.
Depression was present in 1/2 to 2/3 of the patients. So some experts believe that. Chronic fatigue syndrome is fundamentally a mental illness.
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5 What are the consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome
The condition of chronic fatigue syndrome generally does not show progressive changes or worsening. However, the patient's symptoms can persist for a long time, seriously affecting life, work and even family, causing great distress.
Some patients are expected to be relieved through comprehensive measures, and about 5% of patients can be cured through various measures every year. Other positive face patients, the improvement rate of their symptoms can reach 39%.
In addition, some other people may need to use anti-anxiety drugs under the intervention of a psychiatrist to obtain improvement in symptoms and return to normal life, work and study.
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6 How to treat chronic fatigue syndrome?
First of all, some common causes must be ruled out, and whether there is functional impairment.
Doctors should communicate with patients in various ways, inform the current understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome and its shortcomings, let patients know, and provide some better treatment suggestions.
- Symptomatic treatment
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used in patients with headache, multiple pains, and fever.
Antihistamines and decongestants can be used if you have rhinitis or sinusitis.
- Psychotherapy
Some patients may express resistance and aversion to a diagnosis of mental illness. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to communicate with patients more and intervene in their depression or anxiety state.
Antidepressants that do not have a sedative effect, such as sertraline, can be used to improve mood and sleep, and good rest can help reduce fatigue.
- Exercise therapy
Exercise more to stimulate the secretion of positive hormones, and at the same time combine self-psychological adjustment, psychological suggestion and exercise therapy, and cooperate with the help of family members, it is effective in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
- For people with chronic hepatitis B and AIDS phobia, it is also crucial to find a professional doctor who is trusted and understands psychology.
Well, today's popular science is here. If you have any questions, you can discuss it in the comment area.
I am a clinician who loves popular science, seeing a doctor, consulting, answering questions, solving doubts, popularizing medical knowledge, and experiencing the power of warm words in the rush of clinical work!
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