Ok, so you’ve just dealt with a viral infection and now you’re faced with the aftermath – post-viral fatigue. Post-viral fatigue is when you experience an extended period of extreme tiredness and feelings of being generally unwell following a viral infection.1https://www.rcot.co.uk/how-manage-post-viral-fatigue-after-covid-19-0 Certain viruses, including rubella, HIV, flu and coronavirus are more likely to cause post-viral fatigue than others. 2https://patient.info/news-and-features/what-you-need-to-know-about-post-viral-fatigue It can affect people of all ages, including children, young people, and adults.3https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/a-z-services/bristol-me-service/post-viral-fatigue-a-guide-management The severity and length of time that someone experiences post-viral fatigue doesn’t necessarily reflect the severity of the initial infection or their previous general health. Some individuals can be very unwell at the start of the illness but recover quickly, whilst others may only have a mild viral illness but go on to experience debilitating fatigue for a long period of time afterwards.
Here are some symptoms to look out for and what you can do to manage them –
Symptoms
As well as total exhaustion where sleep doesn’t seem restorative, you may experience:
- Significant lack of energy
- Headaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Persistent cough
- Unexplained muscle/joint pains
- Poor concentration
- Feeling generally unwell
4 Simple Steps To Manage Symptoms
1. Drink Kefir
The beneficial bacteria that live in your gut play a fundamental role in keeping you happy and healthy – now’s the time to empower your belly biome with a good quality probiotic! Chuckling Goat Probiotic Kefir is full of live active cultures and is a significant source of Vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin A. It contributes to your normal muscle function, reduces tiredness and fatigue and supports your psychological function.
Please note: we do not recommend taking kefir alongside immunosuppressant medications.
2. Gentle exercise
Get up and move…gently! You’ll need to approach exercise carefully during this time. Moderate, easy-going exercises such as stretches, yoga or short walks may help. Keeping physically active will increase endorphins4https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/workouts/boost-your-energy-level-with-exercise.aspx, boosting your mood, and improve sleep5https://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/workouts/boost-your-energy-level-with-exercise.aspx – essential for recovery!
3. Avoid sugar – increase fibre!
Sugar may increase your energy levels temporarily, but the spike followed by crash in blood sugar levels can compound your tiredness.6https://www.healthline.com/health/diet-hacks-to-reduce-chronic-fatigue It will also feed the bad gut bugs and kill off the good, damaging your overall gut health.
Fibre on the other hand will nourish your good gut bugs7https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22555633/, reduce inflammation and keep you feeling fuller for longer8https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/fiber/art-20043983, aiding you in your mission to avoid the sugary stuff where possible!
We know you’re tired (you have post-viral fatigue!), and thinking of new fibre-rich recipes may not be top of your to-do list right now, so, to make things easier, just pop a heaped tablespoon of Chuckling Goat Complete Prebiotic in your Kefir, or glass of water. Job done.
Our Complete Prebiotic is recommended for children age 4 years+.
4. Take Siberian Ginseng
A natural stimulant, traditionally taken to help increase energy, reduce fatigue and improve cognitive function. Other benefits of Siberian Ginseng include the ability to fight viruses (reducing your likelihood of post-viral fatigue in the first place!)9https://draxe.com/nutrition/eleuthero-siberian-ginseng/, improve physical stamina10http://publix.aisle7.net/publix/assets/nutritional-supplement/eleuthero/how-it-works and reduce inflammation11https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23356855/.
As with any stimulant, it’s a good idea to give your body an occasional rest instead of taking it continuously. We recommend 6 weeks on, 2 weeks off.
This product contains pharmaceutical-grade alcohol so is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women or anyone who wishes to avoid alcohol. Always check with your doctor before taking a new herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have an ongoing medical condition.
We understand it isn’t easy to accept and adapt to feeling fatigued when you expected to be back to full health sooner, but now’s the time to be gentle with yourself, nourish your body and seek support where needed. Wishing you a speedy recovery 💗
References
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