Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also referred to as CFS, is a complex and incapacitating condition that is very misunderstood by physicians, society and even those inflicted.
It is marked by excessive, ongoing cognitive and physical fatigue that can't be relieved by any amount of sleep or rest as well as a variety of other symptoms such as sore throat, flu like symptoms, muscle pain, digestive problems, insomnia headaches, fever and swollen glands. The fatigue is the primary characteristic and is often described as feeling as if there are weights attached to the arms and legs dragging the individual down and making almost any activity feel like a monumental task. There is complete and total exhaustion.
Symptoms are usually exacerbated with over exertion. However the amount of exertion that is considered excessive can vary from one person to another. One person may have a higher tolerance for exertion than another. For some, even the most trivial event can be over exertion. The more intense and extended the exertion is, the more symptoms that are incited and the longer the recovery time.
The degree of severity in fatigue and accompanying symptoms can vary greatly from one individual to another. It can range anywhere from minor annoyance to completely disabling and everything in between. Severity can also wax and wane from day to day within the same individual. Some days they can be more functional while other days they are flat on their back.
However, most of those inflicted report a drastic reduction in their ability to engage in physical activity with severity of symptoms being as serious and disabling as Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or other similar conditions.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is sometimes referred to as CFIDS, Epstein Barr, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or even Yuppie Flu which is considered very offensive.
It's estimated that more than 1 million Americans live with this condition, but that is a modest estimate, as this number doesn't include those individuals who don't seek treatment and those who have misdiagnosed. The CDC reports that less than 20% of CFS patients in the U.S. have been diagnosed.
Misdiagnosis is very common largely because symptoms overlap with many other chronic health conditions and because a larger part of the medical community still doesn't embrace this disorder. Even among those who do accept it there is a great deal of misunderstanding about the nature of the beast and they are not in agreement about many aspects such as causes and the best treatment method.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is often accompanied by
Fibromyalgia and
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, but not always. Some people present with FMS or MCS as the primary symptom and chronic fatigue as a secondary symptom.
Many people refer to CFS as chronic fatigue, but they are not actually one in the same, some people have chronic fatigue without all the other symptoms that are part of the syndrome. However, it is often used as a slang term among those inflicted.
For a long time CFS was a controversial diagnosis because it wasn't considered an actual "illness." Health care providers thought individuals inflicted were just being lazy, looking for attention or experiencing Depression or some other mental health condition.
Like many illnesses that defy science and don't respond to traditional medical treatment the main stream medical professionals tend to dismiss it and label it as psychosomatic.
When physicians don't understand something or it can't fit into their rigid, narrow medical view they become defensive and must put it on the psychological rather than admit they just don't have the answers. This attitude is appalling and insulting. As anyone living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome knows, they would give about anything to have their energy return and live the life they once knew.
This negative view still exists to some degree in both the medical community and society in spite of the fact that there is growing acceptance. Many health care professionals still "secretly" believe it's not real and there is a negative stigma attached by society. Many people, both medical professionals and the general population tend to look at those inflicted with a bit of skepticism.
If your doctor tells you it's all in your head, then you should run as fast as you can to someone who is more enlightened and competent. Don't allow yourself to be subjected to such ignorance.
To receive adequate, competent Chronic Fatigue Syndrome treatment with respect, it usually requires finding an alternative health doctor such as a holistic medical doctor, naturopath or chiropractor.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
There is no known "cure" for CFS, but symptoms can be managed or relieved to some degree with changes in lifestyle, pacing, dietary restrictions, limiting physical activity, stress management, development of coping skills, nutritional supplementation and a variety of other alternative health approaches. Some people can manage to keep working with great difficulty while others find it completely impossible.
Medical tests find that many CFS patients run a fever, low blood pressure, yeast infections, zinc and magnesium deficiency and parasites in their stool.
Based on these studies along with numerous examples of Chronic Fatigue sufferers who have success treating themselves with dietary changes and herbal remedies and supplements, there seems to be at least some indication that this syndrome is actually caused by more serious, underlying issues within the body.
As someone who has lived with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for many years, I have found that it's not really the big mystery we think it is. Like all chronic health conditions in the end it all boils down to diet, nutrition and environmental toxins.
Major Contributing Factors to CFS
Here are the factors I've found to contribute the most to the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
I'd like to share that I have discovered two of the biggest factors are
Candida Overgrowth and
Pesticide exposure. I also live with Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and I have discovered that when I can get my Candida under control, my CFS as well as my Fibro and MCS improve drastically. The problem is that Candida is extremely difficult to keep under control for extended periods of time.
My fatigue was also ten times less intense than it became after an Herbicide exposure that rendered me with a lot neurological and endocrine damage that I've been unable to reverse.
Like all chronic illness, with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, there is no aspect of life that goes untouched by the devastating impact. Not only is their energy zapped, but so is their self-esteem and self-image as they lose their ability to engage in the world as they desire and feel productive.
They are often faced with deep grief and loss issues as they are forced into a new life style and new identity. Their is often conflict and burden on relationships with friends and family and financial worries as their ability to work may be impaired.
However, when one is dealing with a condition that doesn't receive wide support, acceptance and validation from the medical community or society, such as CFS, FMS, or MCS they also face profound isolation, self-doubt, and uncertainty.
We are making some progress though. It is encouraging to see this statement at the CDC web site, "CFS is not caused by depression, although the two illnesses often coexist, and many patients with CFS have no psychiatric disorder."
I would like to add this explanation. Depression coexists with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for two reasons:
- The same factors such as diet, nutrition and environmental toxins that cause the fatigue also impact the brain and create the depression and any other so called "psychiatric symptom" that may display.
- When your life is altered severely by a chronic condition and your life is turned upside down, Depression tends to occur naturally in response to the grief and loss that must be endured. Depression is not a cause of CFS, it is a result.
Although, anyone living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome doesn't need any scientific evidence to acknowledge what they already know, there is evidence of neurological, immune and endocrine dysfunction in those with CFS.
Return from chronic fatigue syndrome back to holistic health
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