Catch a virus such as flu, and you would expect to be lacking in energy for a few days until your body recovers. But in some cases this tiredness persists long after the virus has cleared up. This is a fairly common occurrence, known in the medical world as post-viral fatigue. The condition has been under the spotlight recently as many people have suffered Long Covid, when symptoms of coronavirus persist for more than a month. One of these symptoms is indeed a persistent fatigue. This blog will consider how good energy management can help alleviate symptoms of post-viral fatigue, in order to help you make a full recovery.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of post-viral fatigue can very from person to person, and can fluctuate in severity. As well as the obvious tiredness, someone with post-viral fatigue may experience anything from headaches and muscle pain, to poor sleep and flu-like symptoms such as dizziness and poor temperature control. For a full list of symptoms, read our leaflet at this link.
In this way, it is very similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; indeed, the two are often confused. However, while there is no consensus as to a cause for CFS, it is widely agreed that post-viral fatigue is caused when the immune response to a virus continues in the body once the virus has passed. Chemicals known as cytokines that are released to fight off a virus remain present, causing inflammation and preventing the body from functioning as normal. Unlike CFS, it is possible in most cases to make a relatively quick recovery from post-viral fatigue, when a carefully managed recovery program is followed.
Exercise as a Recovery Strategy from Post Viral Fatigue
As a profession, we are normally the first to extoll the benefits of exercise: getting the body moving again after an injury can help speed up the recovery process, and the benefits of a good endorphin rush to everything from sleep to general wellbeing cannot be overstated. Indeed, we often encourage patients to get moving as soon as possible after an injury to aid their recovery. So it might sound a little strange to hear us saying that when it comes to exercise to alleviate post-viral fatigue, you should proceed with caution.
The reason for this is that when suffering from post-viral fatigue, your body is particularly susceptible to post-exertional malaise. As your energy levels can fluctuate from day to day, you might feel like you can take on your normal 5k one day, only to find you feel much worse the next. Sometimes it only takes a very minimal level of activity to provoke symptoms of post-viral fatigue; certainly doing too much too soon can actually impede your recovery.
This is why it’s particularly important to work with a health professional to put together an energy management plan to help you manage your activities to stay within your energy limit and without triggering or worsening your symptoms.
It can help to set yourself goals, but make sure these are achievable and realistic in order to keep yourself motivated. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to regain your fitness – the most important thing is to exercise frequently. For more on setting realistic exercise expectations, see this helpful document at this link.
Rest
When suffering from post-viral fatigue, the rest you take is just as important as the the other activities you choose to do. It might seem strange, but in this condition that makes you feel tired all the time, the quality of your sleep is often one of the areas that suffers most. Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to improve your sleep hygiene. Having a regular bedtime routine in place that involves relaxing activities such as a bath or perhaps some breathing exercises can help train your body to sleep. It is important to avoid too much stimulation before bed, so try and turn off screens (that includes your phone!) at least an hour before you go down.
It is also a good idea to establish a morning routine. Set an alarm and commit to getting up at the same time each day, no matter how tired you might feel. The sleep you get after hitting the snooze button is rarely restorative, and can result in that groggy morning feeling.
Finally, no matter how tired you might feel during the day, avoid taking naps. The aim is to establish a solid sleeping pattern, ideally around eight hours, in which your body has the deep, restorative rest it needs. We’ve covered sleep hygiene in more detail at this link.
Other Considerations
We have focused on the physical areas of exercise and rest in this post, though it should be acknowledged that post-viral fatigue is considered a biopsychosocial condition, meaning that while it may originate biologically, it affects - and can be affected by – our mental state and social conditions as well. For this reason it might be worth considering some alternative ways to look at treating the condition.
CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of talking therapy that can help you realize when and how your thoughts might not be helping you achieve the outcomes you desire. The underlying theory behind CBT is that our patterns of thought are extrinsically linked to our feelings, behavior and physical sensations. This is not to suggest that post-viral fatigue is "all in the mind"; rather, exploring CBT as a way to aid recovery from the condition is to acknowledge that it can have an affect on your mental state as well.
When suffering from a condition such as post-viral fatigue, it can be easy to slip into a pattern of negative thoughts, which can affect everything from your motivation to exercise, to your body’s ability to recover. CBT offers a practical, proven way to address these issues. We’ve produced a leaflet covering CBT for post-viral fatigue here at this link.
Socializing
It is also important to acknowledge the effect that social support can have on recovery from post-viral fatigue. The symptoms of PVF can leave you feeling reluctant to socialize and like you want to withdraw until you feel better. However, it is important to maintain some social activity, as isolation can add to feelings of fatigue and have a negative impact on your wellbeing. If seeing your friends feels like too much, it may be worth considering a support group for those with PVF.
Post-viral fatigue is a very real, and debilitating condition that affects those suffering in a variety of different ways. If not managed correctly, it can lead to the more serious, long term Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, by taking a proactive approach to managing the condition, with techniques such as Graded Exercise Therapy and CBT, the condition will usually abate over time.
For advice on any aspect of the topics we have covered today, give our clinic a call and we’ll be happy to help design a program that best fits your current condition and goals. It's crucial to remember that what works for one person may not work for another. But by exploring these various strategies, you can begin to build a personalized roadmap to living with and managing chronic pain. However, it's essential to seek professional guidance when embarking on this journey.
At Body Balance Therapeutic Massage, we're here to help guide you through this process. Our team of dedicated massage therapy professionals works closely with each patient to create an individualized treatment plan that addresses their specific needs and lifestyle.
Located right here in Blacksburg, Virginia, we offer a range of massage therapy treatments, from relaxation to targeted bodywork, and are experienced in helping people manage and reduce their chronic pain. Our goal is to empower our patients, equipping them with the tools and strategies they need to regain control over their life. If you live in the area and are grappling with chronic pain, we invite you to get in touch with us. Together, we can work towards a future where pain does not define your daily life.
The Team at Body Balance Therapeutic Massage
Address: 210 Professional Park Dr, Suite 10, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone: (540) 605-8751
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