What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment

Also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and postviral syndrome, CFS was first recognized as a condition in conventional medical circles in the 1990s. Its symptoms mimic many other illnesses. It has been described as a physical illness brought on by stress. Three times more women than men are affected in the developed world.

Symptoms
• Identifiable fatigue that is present for 50 percent of the time and for at least six months, severely affecting physical and mental functioning.
• Muscular pain, weight fluctuation, and sleep disturbance.
• Possible abnormal temperature regulation, recurrent sore throat, swelling of the lymph glands, and depression.

Causes
CFS often follows a viral infection of the upper respiratory or digestive tract. It is not known why some people do not recover fully. It may be due to malfunctions of the immune or metabolic system, stress, overwork, overuse of antibiotics, dysfunctional production of the hormone melatonin, the effects on neurotransmitters in the brain of chemicals leaking out of the digestive tract, pollution or toxicity, or even geopathic stress (disruptions in radiation emitted by the Earth).

Conventional care 
There is no single diagnostic test for CFS, and the nature of the condition makes it very difficult to conduct conventional research. A detailed medical history is required, together with a physical examination that concentrates on the body’s neurological system. There is no conventional treatment as such. Antidepressant drugs may be prescribed for sleep disturbances, but lifestyle guidelines form the basis of conventional care.

Homeopathic medicine
As a result of the large range of possible physical and mental symptoms, CFS is treated constitutionally. Psychological and environmental factors are studied in particular, together with the person’s dietary history. The choice of remedy is determined largely by an individual’s symptoms. Phosphoric ac. is prescribed for weakness in the spinal cord and associated nerves; Nat. mur. is effective for fatigue—affecting the knees, ankles, and dorsal spine in particular—caused by mental exertion. Calc. carb. is used to treat fatigue, particularly of the thigh muscles, caused by walking; and Arsen. alb. is given for fatigue, especially of the chest muscles, caused by walking. Remedies for localized, specific symptoms include Belladonna, when there are swollen glands in the neck and groin, muscular and joint pains, aches and burning pains all over the body, and a constant sore throat; and Causticum, when there is permanent chilliness, stiffness and pain in the joints and muscles, and weakness after the slightest exertion. Kali carb. may be given for swollen glands in the neck and groin, joint pains, numbness in the throat, panic attacks, and permanent chilliness; Carbo veg. for aches and burning pains all over the body, confusion, bloating and great flatulence, and faintness in the morning; and China for bloating, anxiety, sleeplessness, and a feeling of weakness after the slightest exertion.

Lifestyle 
The key to recovery from CFS is rest. In planning a strategy for recuperation, it is helpful to imagine the energy of the body as if it were being supplied from checking and savings bank accounts. CFS occurs if the savings account has been seriously depleted over a lengthy period. In order to recover, the savings account needs reimbursing from the checking account. In practical terms, this means that any activity should leave in reserve 25 percent of the energy normally used when 100 percent is what can be achieved without tiring. So, if someone can walk 100 yards (meters) without getting tired, they should only walk 75 yards (meters). A diet low in refined carbohydrates, with vitamin and mineral supplements, is beneficial. Recreational drug-taking and smoking are inadvisable, and alcohol intake should be reduced.