Common variable immune deficiency is just one of a cluster of disorders under the primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID) umbrella.
People with this rare condition are often repeatedly misdiagnosed because there is a distinct lack of awareness within not only the public, but also among the healthcare community. What’s worse, that lack of knowledge is not confined to the United States, it’s global.
However, the Immune Deficiency Foundation is working to change perceptions, educate people, and get the word out about this cluster of diseases.
People with PID often experience extreme fatigue. If you’ve ever tried to function when you were completely exhausted, you know how difficult doing even the simplest tasks can be. (In my case, being exhausted turns me into a super-cranky human being.)
The IDF has some tips for managing fatigue:
- Eating smaller meals spaced throughout the day. That helps to regulate blood sugar and gives you an energy boost.
- Next, take a break every once in a while. When you’re struggling to get things done, it’s easy to overdo it. Slow down. Stop. Take ten minutes to recharge.
- Paradoxically, get some exercise. Check with your doctor, first, but know that getting moving will give you energy. Start small, you know, baby steps.
- And finally, when you go to bed, consider your bed an oasis where no electronics (smart phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) should be operating. Sleep is sleep.
If you would like to help raise awareness, World PI Week will be observed April 22 – 29, 2017. To get started, click here for more information and inspiration.
