Friday, June 10, 2011

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME


Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. CFS may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Patients who suffer with CFS function at a significantly lower level of activity than before the onset of the illness.


Based on a 1999 study CFS is thought to affect approximately 4 out of 1,000 adults in the United States. CFS occurs more often in women than men, and in people in their 40s and 50s all though the reasons for this are still unknown

The key defining characteristics reported by patients including: weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours.

In some cases, CFS can persist for years.

Unfortunately the cause or causes of CFS have yet to be identified and there is no specific diagnostic tests are available.

The Center of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states that in order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome states a patient must satisfy two criteria:

1. Have severe chronic fatigue for at least 6 months or longer that is not relieved by rest and not due to medical or psychiatric conditions associated with fatigue as excluded by clinical diagnosis.

2. Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms:

  • Self-reported impairment in short-term memory or concentration severe enough to cause substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities.
  • Sore throat that's frequent or recurring
  • Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
  • Muscle pain
  • Multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
  • Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
  • Unrefreshing sleep
  • Post-exertional malaise (extreme, prolonged exhaustion and sickness following physical or mental activity) lasting more than 24 hours
Living with chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult. As with any debilitating chronic illnesses, CFS can have a devastating impact on daily life, requiring patients to make significant lifestyle changes and adapt to a series of new limitations.


One key to managing CFS is working with health care professionals to create an individualized treatment program. This program should be based on a combination of therapies, for example traditional and alternative, which address symptoms, activity management and coping techniques.


Here is an example of some products Dr. Slagle recommends to her patients suffering from CFS:
 
Rule out food sensitivities, blood sugar instabilities, anemia, low thyroid & adrenal function, chronic candida, depression, & other causes when possible. See relevant books in book store. Chronic fatigue can often be related to various nutritional deficiencies as well. Avoid sugar, alcohol, caffeine. Limit carbohydrates & emphasize protein. Be aware that white pastas metabolize like sugar in your body. Rule out medication side effects.

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