Caffeine-Free Ways to Fight Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) can be a frustrating illness. Not only do you have to deal with symptoms that hinder your productivity and quality of life, many people, including doctors, don’t understand it and may assume that you’re just making an excuse. For a patient with CFS, simply getting out of bed can seem like an impossible task even after a good night’s sleep. Some patients are even confined to their beds.

People with CFS may turn to drugs like caffeine to keep them alert during the day, but not everyone likes the taste of coffee or tea or wants to rely on substances to stay awake. Read more to learn how to deal with CFS effectively without caffeine.

First, visit your doctor.

The tips shared in this article can still work if you’re just tired, but if you’re excessively tired and haven’t seen a doctor yet, please do so. You may have CFS, or you may have a completely different condition that is causing these fatigue symptoms. For example, iron-deficiency anemia, a blood condition, can also cause fatigue. Getting a professional diagnosis will ensure you’re treating the right condition.

Consider medications.

There is no cure for CFS, but your doctor may recommend certain medications to help relieve your symptoms. Know that if you’d like to avoid stimulant medications and caffeine, you have other options.

For example, antidepressants can help relieve pain and improve sleep. Dietary supplements may also help, but talk to your doctor first before starting any. These medications can get expensive, but patients can buy antidepressants like Clomipramine, Duloxetine, Setraline etc. from international or Canada drugs online through pharmacy referral services that ship medicine from licensed pharmacies.

Consider psychotherapy.

Depression and anxiety are frequently associated with CFS. Lethargy, lack of motivation, and reduction in quality of life, work, and relationships can definitely contribute to low mood and stress. In this case, you may wish to consider seeing a professional therapist.

Psychotherapy is not just about sitting down to tell someone your life story. Today, psychologists use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help patients in the here and now identify and modify negative beliefs and behaviors. Therapies like CBT require active participation on your part, so prepare to be challenged!

Try graded exercise.

When you’re dealing with chronic fatigue, getting up to exercise may seem near impossible. However, it is a scientifically proven fact that physical activity stimulates alertness and has plenty of health benefits you shouldn’t miss out on.

CFS patients can try a type of therapy called graded exercise. Graded exercise gradually exposes you to physical activity, starting with extremely simple range-of-motion and stretching exercises that are an intimidating few minutes a day.

Remember that your feelings are legitimate.

People with CFS are sometimes unfairly judged. Others may assume that CFS patients are simply hiding behind their illness as an excuse to be lazy. After all, everyone gets tired from time to time.

However, recently, researchers found that there is definitely something different about the blood of people with CFS. By studying the way blood samples affected electrical currents, scientists were able to accurately identify 20 chronic fatigue patients from healthy controls. This study not only legitimizes the suffering of CFS patients, but may open doors for an effective CFS medication in the future.

Drinking a little coffee is probably okay.

Coffee is a drink beloved by office workaholics and procrastinating students the world over. Yet, many people are afraid of drinking coffee because they fear the potential negative health effects from the caffeine. For most people, however, a little coffee is okay. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 400 milligrams of caffeine per day is regarded as generally safe for most adults. This is equivalent to roughly eight ounces of coffee, but be aware that other substances can contain caffeine too, such as chocolate and soft drinks.

Yet, many people still think of caffeine as a bandage solution. Besides, caffeine is not always available, and your body may build tolerance over time requiring you to consume more. Know that there are other ways to improve your energy, and never underestimate the power of healthy lifestyle habits.

This is a guest blog posting.