Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Introduction:
People with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) often feel so tired that they are unable to do even half of their normal daily activities -- and the feeling doesn't go away, even with more rest. Twice as many women as men are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. It may last a month, a couple of years, or many years. Sometimes symptoms may come and go.
Signs and Symptoms:
• Severe fatigue that comes on suddenly, especially after you've had the flu
• Low-grade fever (100.4° F) and chills
• Sore throat and swollen lymph glands in the neck or armpits
• Muscle and joint aches, without any swelling
• Headaches
• Sleep that doesn't feel refreshing
• Feeling like you are in a fog and are unable to concentrate or remember
What Causes It?
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but a virus or an immune system reaction may be responsible. Risk factors include extreme stress or anxiety, flu-like illness that doesn't completely go away, and poor eating habits.
Treatment Options:
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a stressful disease. It is important to get emotional support as well as treatment for your symptoms. Although there is no cure, symptoms can be treated with medications such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve muscle and joint aches. Support groups and stress-management techniques can help you cope with the disease.
Drug Therapies
Antidepressants -- In addition to relieving depression, these drugs can reduce fatigue and muscle tension, and improve sleep. Side effects vary. Antidepressants often prescribed for chronic fatigue include:
• Tricyclics: amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), notriptyline (Pamelor)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): citalopram Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft)
Anti-anxiety medications (benzodiazepines) -- Side effects vary. Alprazolam (Xanax) or lorazepam (Ativan) are among those prescribed.
Antihistamines -- relieve allergy-like symptoms. Side effects include drowsiness and headache.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -- help relieve pain. These drugs include naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Side effects can include gastrointestinal bleeding when used for a long period of time.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) -- another pain reliever. Side effects can include kidney damage when large doses are taken.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Eating a healthy diet and using herbs and homeopathic remedies as recommended may help reduce the debilitating symptoms of CFS, and may improve overall energy. Counseling, support groups, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation are stress-management techniques that may help as well.
Lifestyle
• Save your energy -- Your doctor may suggest that you learn to slow down and pace yourself, so that you don’t overdo it one day and pay for it the next with increased symptoms. The goal is to maintain a steady, moderate amount of activity that includes regular exercise.
• Get regular exercise -- Your doctor may suggest that you see a physical therapist to create an appropriate exercise program. At least one study shows that people with CFS who exercise have fewer symptoms than those who do not exercise.
• Reduce stress -- Stress can make CFS symptoms worse. Guided meditation or deep breathing may help you relax.
Nutrition and Supplements
Avoid refined foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and saturated fats. Eat more fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains, protein, and essential fatty acids (found in nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish).
The following supplements may help reduce symptoms of CFS.
• Magnesium (300 - 1,000 mg per day) may help reduce fatigue, but studies show mixed results. Too much magnesium causes diarrhea. To correct this problem, gradually reduce the amount you were taking. It is sometimes combined with malic acid (600 mg twice per day) to boost energy.
• Essential fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil (1,000 mg 3 times per day with meals) and evening primrose oil (3,000 - 6,000 mg per day) may also help reduce fatigue.
• NADH, a naturally occurring chemical involved in energy production in the body (5 - 20 mg per day).
• Coenzyme Q10, which helps cells function and produce energy (60 - 100 mg per day).
• DHEA, a hormone produced by the body that may improve energy levels (50 - 200 mg per day). DHEA is a precursor to testosterone and estrogen. It is truly a hormone rather than a supplement, and should never be taken without a doctor's prescription. Do not use DHEA if you have or are at risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer, or any other hormonally influenced illness. Do not take DHEA if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Vitamin B12 (2,500 - 5,000 mcg by injection every two or three days for several weeks) has been shown to improve energy in people who are deficient, but it’s not clear whether it will help in cases of chronic fatigue syndrome. Oral supplements do not work as well because the body cannot absorb that much vitamin B12.
• Beta-carotene (50,000 IU per day) to strengthen immune function.
• Vitamin C (250- 500 mg two times per day) to increase endurance and immune function. Many alternative health care providers recommend higher doses. Talk to your health care provider to determine the proper dose for you.
• B-complex (50- 100 mg per day or 2 ml by injection one to two times per week) with additional B6 (100 mg per day) and B5 (100 - 250 mg per day) to reduce the effects of stress.
• Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B5 (250 mg twice per day).
• L-carnitine (500 - 1,000mg 3 times per day for 8 weeks) to support energy production in the cells.
Acupuncture
Several studies in China have indicated acupuncture may help treat chronic fatigue syndrome. And some Western studies have found that acupuncture may help conditions with similar symptoms such as fibromyalgia, depression, headache, and irritable bowel syndrome. Some evidence also suggests that acupuncture may help boost your immune system. It may also help people with CFS get a more restful night's sleep, which is often key to turning the condition around.
Acupuncturists treat people with chronic fatigue syndrome based on an individualized assessment of the excesses and deficiencies of qi located in various meridians. In the case of CFS, a qi deficiency is usually detected in the spleen or kidney meridians, but a deficiency may also be found in the lung or liver meridians.
Chiropractic
Chiropractors suggest that spinal manipulation may boost energy and decrease pain in some people with the condition. In these cases, it is believed that spinal manipulation may have a stimulating effect on the nervous system.
Contact us today for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome relief.
(972) 612-3800
Additional Resources:
www.npr.com
www.youtube.com
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/chronic-fatigue-000035.htm
http://www.goldbamboo.com/video-tl1957-tr2567.html
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