How to Spot Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Have you ever felt too tired to function normally?
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all felt this way at least once in our lives. But, what if you felt this way all the time, only no amount of sleep or rest could restore your energy?
Well, this is the unfortunate reality for those suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). They live in a constant state of exhaustion that slows them down, often making it difficult to concentrate or perform daily, essential tasks. This fatigue is often accompanied by flu-like symptoms, impaired cognitive function and prolonged exhaustion following any kind of physical activity.
And, to make matters worse, there doesn’t seem to be a reasonable explanation for their symptoms which can be incredibly disheartening.
If this sounds all too familiar to you, there’s a chance you may have CFS. Although there is no cure for this condition, there are treatment options available that can restore your vitality, allowing you to lead a fulfilling life with little to no symptoms. However, before we get into that, let’s take a deeper dive into what CFS is and its possible causes.
CFS in a Nutshell
CFS is a condition that affects the brain and multiple systems of the body, causing debilitating fatigue that persists for at least six months that cannot be relieved by sleep or proper rest. In addition to this, common symptoms include:
Impaired short-term memory, concentration or cognitive function that inhibits your ability to perform daily activities
Flu like symptoms such as a sore throat, fever or myalgia
Sleep that is unsatisfying/fails to restore your energy
Fatigue lasting longer than 24 hours following any physical activity
Tender lymph nodes in the neck or underarms
Muscle pain or weakness
Headaches of a new or increased severity
Some CFS patients note a decrease in social activity (which can begin to affect their personal relationships), or an inability to perform well at work. Because of this, depression and anxiety are very common, and are often a secondary symptom.
In addition to the primary symptoms listed above, someone with CFS may also experience…
Digestive issues like bloating, nausea, or diarrhea
Night sweats or chills
Brain fog
Dizziness
Shortness of breath
Chronic coughing
Visual disturbances
Allergies or sensitivities to certain foods, alcohol or chemicals
An irregular heartbeat or heart palpitation
Jaw pain
The onset of these symptoms can be very distressing because it can feel as if they’ve come out of nowhere. But, just like any medical condition, there is always a root cause.
So, what causes CFS?
Unfortunately, the exact cause of CFS is still a bit of a mystery and has yet to be proven. However, the general consensus among researchers is that there are various factors that can trigger it, which include:
Thyroid problems
Infections
An excessive exposure to toxins or chemicals
A compromised immune system
Enzyme deficiencies
Underlying allergies
Nutritional deficiencies
Stress
Emotional/Psychological factors
Endocrine disturbances
Metabolic issues
Disturbances to the central nervous system
Mitochondria dysfunction
The root cause of CFS varies from person to person so this will ultimately affect the course of treatment. Naturopathic Physicians like myself will run tests to determine if a patient has any infections, food intolerances, nutritional deficiencies, allergies or sensitivities and develop a treatment plan based on their findings.
The Naturopathic Approach to Treating CFS
Treatment will look different for each patient, because there are so many different factors that contribute to CFS. Depending on underlying issues at play, treatment CFS can include…
Strengthening the Immune System
Detoxifying the Body
Addressing Allergies
Healing Psychological and Emotional Factors
Re-establishing healthy sleep patterns
Restoring adrenal gland function
Eliminating viruses, bacteria, candida and parasites
Supplementing nutrient deficiencies
Healing the gut
Implementing dietary modifications
With that being said, there are a few treatment methods from this list that I want to elaborate on…
Supplementing Nutrient Deficiencies
A naturopathic physician will conduct a full nutritional panel to see if a patient is lacking any essential nutrients. If any nutritional deficiencies are found they will prescribe a combination of supplements to support their patient’s specific needs. Supplements such as vitamin B, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and coenzyme Q10 can be extremely useful in eliminating symptoms of CFS. However, before taking any supplements, it is crucial to consult a doctor first so they can determine which ones your body might need.
Restoring Adrenal Function
Patients with CFS usually have poor adrenal function or now referred to as Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axisThere are various herbal formulations, nutrients, and medications that can be used to restore the function of the adrenal glands. Restoring the HPA axis can re-energize the body and help it recover from illness at a quicker pace.
Detoxifying the body
With the amount of toxic chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis, this is a crucial part of restoring the body’s natural vitality and providing support to the immune system. To put it into perspective, the average person is exposed to thousands of chemicals every year from processed foods, pesticides, household cleaning products, toiletries, beauty products, and conventional prescription medications. More often than not, the immune system can’t keep up with this constant influx of chemicals, leading some to get stuck in the body. Those who suffer from CFS often have chemical allergies, so taking measures to detoxify the body is typically an essential part of eliminating their symptoms.
Healing the Gut
Many CFS patients also have a leaky gut. This is when the lining of the intestinal tract becomes permeable enough for toxins and undigested food particles to flow into the bloodstream. When this happens, it triggers an autoimmune response that can cause pain and inflammation in any of the body’s tissues, which often exacerbates symptoms of CFS. So, healing the gut is often a necessary step in healing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
The best way to do this is to eat whole, nutrient rich food. You’ll also want to avoid consuming any processed food, caffeine, alcohol or stimulants as these are what cause intestinal permeability. There are additional treatments that can be prescribed if dietary changes are not enough.
Dietary Modifications
In addition to healing the gut, there are other dietary modifications that can help such as…
Consuming food high in essential fatty acids. Clinical trials have found that essential fatty acids found in fish, nuts and seeds can help restore cognitive function and prevent the frequency of relapse among CFS patients.
Eating an adequate amount of protein every day. This will give the body enough energy to function properly and support the immune system.
Eat less raw food. Raw food requires more energy to digest, so eating food that has already begun to break down from the cooking process conserves the body’s energy so it can be used for other things.
Instead of eating 3 large meals every day, eat smaller meals throughout the day. This will put less of a stain on the digestive system and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
The bottom line is, if you have CFS, there are several treatment options available that can reduce the severity of your symptoms and restore your body’s energy. If you are looking for a physician to support you, schedule a free consultation call with me here. I will take the time to listen to your symptoms, run extensive tests and create a treatment plan tailored to your body’s specific needs.
