June,
2003 
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Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome
Melody
Wong, ND
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
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