Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a disabling fatigue lasting more than six months. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a poorly understood condition involving many body systems. No single cause of CFS has been identified; therefore, it is diagnosed by symptoms and by ruling out other known causes of fatigue by a healthcare practitioner. The early sign of this illness is a strong and noticeable fatigue that comes on suddenly and often comes and goes or perhaps never stops. The patient feels too tired to do normal activities or is easily exhausted with no apparent reason. Unlike the mind fog of a serious hangover, the profound weakness of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome does not go away with a few good nights of sleep. Instead, it slyly steals your energy and vigor over months and sometimes years. (1)

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

· forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, or difficulty concentrating

· disabling fatigue and weakness

· feeling depressed and emotional vulnerable

· difficulty falling asleep, frequent wakings, and feeling unrefreshed on waking

· nausea or loss of appetite

· a recurrent sore throat

· enlarged glands in the neck which come and go

· running a slightly high temperature for no apparent reason

· feeling of faintness and dizziness

· muscle aches and pains, especially after physical exertion

· pain without redness or swelling in a number of joints. (5)

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The cause or causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are multi-factorial, resulting from multiple causes. Below are some common associations:

A. VIRAL Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Due in part to its similarity to chronic mononucleosis, CFS was initially thought to be caused by a virus infection, most probably Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) or Mononucleosis. It now seems clear that CFS cannot be caused exclusively by EBV or by any single recognized infectious disease agent, yet the virus may be present with some CFS patients. (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

B. HYPER-IMMUNE Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

One intriguing hypothesis is that various triggering events, such as stress or a viral infection, may lead to the chronic release of inflammatory cytokines and then to CFS. It has been proposed that CFS may be caused by an immune system dysfunction, for example over-production of cytokines. (7, 9)

Some investigators have observed anti-self antibodies and immune complexes in many CFS patients, both of which are hallmarks of autoimmune disease. Several investigators have reported lower numbers of natural killer cells or decreased natural killer cell activity among CFS patients compared with healthy controls. Finally, several studies have shown that CFS patients are more likely to have a history of allergies than are healthy controls. (8, 10)

C. HPA AXIS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Physical or emotional stress, which is commonly reported as a pre-onset condition in CFS patients, activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, or HPA, leading to increased release of cortisol and other hormones. Cortisol suppresses inflammation and cellular immune activation, and reduced levels might result in heightened inflammatory processes and immune cell activation. Recent studies revealed that CFS patients often produce lower levels of cortisol than do healthy controls. (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)

D. HYPOTENSION Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Persons with Neurally–Mediated Hypotension will develop lowered blood pressure, such as lightheadedness, visual dimming, or a slow response to verbal stimuli. (23, 24, 25) Many CFS patients experience lightheadedness or worsened fatigue when they stand for prolonged periods or when in warm places, such as in a hot shower. These conditions are also known to trigger NMH. A study (not placebo-controlled) was conducted to determine whether medications effective for the treatment of NMH would benefit CFS patients. A subset of CFS patients reported a striking improvement in symptoms, but not all patients improved. (23)

E. OXIDATIVE STRESS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The role of oxidative stress in CFS is well documented. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress contributes to the pathology and clinical symptoms of CFS. (26, 27, 28, 29, 30) Theoretically, oxidative stress can be caused by an increase in the generation of reactive oxygen species, of which mitochondrial dysfunction is believed to be a main source, or it can be caused by a decline in the efficiency of antioxidant enzyme systems. (29)

F. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

Some researchers feel that long phases of poor nutrition may contribute to CFS. While evidence is currently lacking for nutritional defects in CFS patients, a balanced diet can be conducive to better health in general and would be expected to have beneficial effects in any chronic illness. (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)

GUIDE FOR NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT

A. VIRAL SUPPORT

· Using herbal support to aid the body in fighting the virus. There are many foods and herbs that fall into this category, but a program would need to be individualized to be truly effective.

B. HYPER-IMMUNE CFS

With Hyper-Immune CFS there is usually a high level of Nitric Oxide (NO) activating the inflammatory cascade. This is easily revealed through the urinalysis testing. To read more on research being conducted, by Prof Martin L. Pall, at Washing State University, on the effects of Nitric Oxide and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, click here.

C. hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) CFS

· This approach focuses on supporting the adrenals and minimizing Sympathetic Nervous System stress. Using a Konisberg Test and an adrenal stress test, can be useful in determining the right approach for you and your body.

D. HYPOTENSION CFS

· Hypotension (low blood pressure) can be a result of dehydration and low electrolytes in your body. Low electrolytes can also effect your immune system, your heart rhythm and add stress to your body. A quick easy electrolyte test can determine if you are deficient in electrolytes.

E. OXIDATIVE STRESS CFS

· Oxidation can add a lot of stress to your body as well as do quite a lot of damage. This is a quick easy to test, but should not be over looked. Oxidation is thought to be as important, and some say, more important than cholesterol levels in determining risk of heart disease.

The following is a paragraph taken from "the world's largest FMS and CFS resource site." I am posting it here word for word. You can read more if you follow the link after the quote. The site not only provides a wealth of information, but seeing what other suffers are going through, and knowing that you are not crazy (something many doctors have told their fms/cfs sufferers), and not alone, can be a huge benefit.

Oxidative Stress and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Studies have shown that oxidative stress plays a role in the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Fulle et al. 2000; Richards et al. 2000; Logan et al. 2001). Oxidative stress is a term used to describe the body's prolonged exposure to oxidative factors that cause more free radicals than the body can neutralize. Free radicals are produced as a byproduct of normal metabolic functions. When there are enough free radical scavengers present, such as glutathione and vitamins C, E, and A, along with zinc and other nutrients, through normal metabolic functioning, the body will "mop up" or neutralize the free radicals. When free radicals are not neutralized, the body can become vulnerable to cellular destruction.

A relationship between abnormal oxidative stress and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be found in the literature. An article in the journal Life Science described a study that showed that patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome had lower serum transferrin levels and higher lipoprotein peroxidation. These results indicate that patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have increased susceptibility of LDL and VLDL to copper-induced peroxidation and that this is related both to their lower levels of serum transferrin and to other unidentified pro-oxidizing effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Manuel y Keenoy et al. 2001).

Exercise has been shown to increase the production of oxidants. Fortunately, regular endurance exercise results in adaptations in the skeletal muscle antioxidant capacity, which protects myocytes (muscle cells) against the deleterious effects of oxidants and prevents extensive cellular damage (McCully et al. 1996; Powers et al. 1999).

A study of the oxygen delivery to muscles in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome found that oxygen delivery and oxidative metabolism was significantly reduced in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients after exercise (compared with sedentary controls) (McCully et al. 1999).

To check out the website, and read more, click Here.

F. NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

· This may be from many things, but of course the first place to look would be diet. Another cause may also be either from hypochlorhydria (underproduction of stomach acid) or dysbiosis (imbalance between "good" and "bad" bacteria in the gut). It is impossible to overemphasize the subtle yet devastating results of hypochlorhydria, . The entire digestive process depends on a healthy functioning stomach being able to digest your food. If this does not happen, protein digestion is incomplete. Remember that acid is necessary to trigger other biological functions, and enzymes. If acid is deficient, this process is disrupted, and digestion of not only protein, but also fat and carbohydrate is compromised. This can lead to an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria produce toxins and add extra work for your liver and immune system to deal with. It also adds stress on your body in general. Not to mention reduces the ability to absorb nutrients properly. This is known as dysbiosis. Many symptoms result from this toxicity: headaches, fatigue, hypertension, gas, muscle aches and pain, insomnia, personality changes, irritation and more.

The frequency of hypochlorhydria in the population is 15%. Among people who feel sufficiently ill to show up at a doctor's office, fully 50% are affected. By age forty, 40% of all people are affected, and by age sixty, 50% have hypochlorhydria. A person over age forty who comes to a doctor's office has about a 90% probability of having hypochlorhydria. It is easily the most under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed condition in medicine. This why we test for this as well, not only is it common, but its effects are far reaching!

HOW TO COPE WITH AND MANAGE CFS

If you have CFS, health experts recommend that you try to maintain good health by

· use the most patient-specific, not disease specific supplements

· eat a balanced diet and get adequate rest

· exercise regularly but without causing more fatigue

· pace yourself-physically, emotionally, and intellectually-because too much stress can aggravate your symptoms

The course of CFS varies from person to person. For most people, CFS symptoms reach a certain level and become stable early in the course of illness and thereafter come and go. Some people get better completely, but it is not clear how frequently this happens. Emotional support and counseling can help you and your loved ones cope with the uncertain outlook and the ups and downs of this illness.

Using simple tests and doing a complete patient intake, available in our E-Clinic. We can determine various biological markers that would encourage this type of dysfunction. A urinalysis test is important because, with it, you can determine the balance of the various biological functions of the body before they effect the organs, and the blood. Do not wait for symptoms to appear, the symptoms are not the beginning, they appear once the dysfunction has impaired your body to a degree where it can not function correctly. Using a wellness coach as part of your health care team can help you regain and maintain your body's balance.

References for this article are available Here.

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