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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Have you been experiencing fatigue, sleep disturbances or muscle aches? Persistent fatigue that does not resolve with bed rest and reduces your daily activity by at least 50% for at least 6 months may be a symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia. Other symptoms include mild fever, recurrent sore throat, swollen and painful glands, anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, poor memory, headaches, intestinal problems, irritability, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, or night sweats. Keep in mind that disabling fatigue is the key symptom for chronic fatigue syndrome while persistent muscle pain is the diagnosis for fibromyalgia.

The cause of CFS is not well understood but speculations of contributing factors included viral infection such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus, impaired immune system, gut permeability, exhausted adrenal glands and exposure to toxins such mercury from amalgam dental fillings. CFS patients have been found to have high levels of EBV antibodies in their blood. EBV infection is inevitable among humans. By the end of early childhood, almost everyone has been exposed to EBV. Unfortunately, EBV has the ability to establish a lifelong latent infection after the initial infection. When the immune system is compromised, EBV becomes active. Poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies, thyroid dysfunction, candida, anemia, and stress can also compromise the immune system and lead to CFS.

Under any cases, do not self-diagnose and self-treat. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and suspect that you have CFS, you are highly encouraged to seek proper treatment from one of the Naturopathic Doctors at Natural Health California. As Naturopathic Doctors, we will take a thorough history and laboratory testing to rule out other health conditions with similar symptoms such as liver diseases, multiple sclerosis, psychiatric illnesses or medication side effects.

The following is a sample treatment protocol for someone with CFS. Not all people with CFS will experience the same symptoms. Thus, an individualized therapeutic plan will be designed for each CFS patient.

Sample Treatment Protocol

1. Eat a well-balance whole foods diet. These quality foods can provide the body with vitamins and minerals to revitalize energy and build immunity.

2. Drink plenty of water for it flushes out toxins and aids in reduction of muscle pain.

3. Avoid food such as chocolate, soft drinks, caffeine, and processed food, which can deplete magnesium and lead to fatigue.

4. Magnesium citrate supplementation

5. Take acidophilus to rid overgrowth of gut candida and build immunity. Besides supplementation, this can also be taken in the form of yogurt or kefir.

6. Get plenty of rest and do deep breathing exercises to relieve stress.

7. High potency of multivitamin and mineral formula to replenish the depleted system.

8. For adrenal exhaustion: Pantothenic acid, Siberian ginseng and Licorice support the adrenals and rid fatigue

9. Immune boosting herbs: Astragulus, Echinacea, and Goldenseal.

10. To improve sleep: Kava kava, Skullcap and Valerian