Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment

Alternative medicine offers a different approach to treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Many of these treatments offer relief from the symptoms of CFS.

The Diagnosis – Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The medical profession has defined the following two criteria for for chronic fatigue syndrome:

Severe, debilitating fatigue for six months or longer, with an exclusion of other medical conditions. Coexisting with this fatigue, at least four of the following symptoms:

sore throat

tender lymph nodes

multi-joint pain without swollenness or inflamation

muscle pain

headaches not experienced before in pattern or severity

awakening from sleep and not feeling rested.

These symptoms must not have been experienced before chronic fatigue. They also must have recurred or persisted for at least six months.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Causes What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known and there are no specific laboratory tests to diagnose and identify this disability. Different causes may trigger CFS, such as stress, viral infection, nutrient deficiency, hormone imbalances and toxins.

Viral Infection

Chronic infection with viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpes virus 6, might contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome in some people.

Immune Dysfunction

Immunologic malfunction is thought to be involved in chronic fatigue syndrome. The inappropriate production of inflammatory cytokines is this immunologic malfunction. This results in incorrect excessive amounts of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite to be produced which produces fatigue.

Hormone Imbalances

Some studies have found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have lower levels of the hormone cortisol, which is secreted by the adrenal glands. Low levels of cortisol may increase inflammation and activate immune cells. Thyroid disorders have also been blamed in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Natural Treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

At the present time there is no known treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome. This leads sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome to seek out complementary and alternative treatments.

Chronic fatigue Syndrome can be treated by a number of natural medications:

1.) L-Carnitine Carnitine is found in nearly all body cells. It is responsible for carrying long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria, the energy-producing centers of cells. It allows these fatty acids to be changed into energy.

Medical studies have found that carnitine levels in the body are decreased in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Improperly low levels of carnitine has been linked with muscle fatigue, pain and poor ability to exercise. Other studies performed have not found a relationship between low levels of carnitine and the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Additional L-carnitine supplements are usually tolerated well. High doses of L-carnitine can cause indigestion and diarrhea. A rare side effect that has been observed with L-carnitine use is seizures in patients with or without pre-existing seizure episodes.

2.) Coenzyme Q10 Coenzyme Q10 (Co Q10) is a substance naturally present in the mitochondria. Mitochondria is the energy-producing nucleus of our cells. Co Q10 is involved in the production of ATP. ATP is the fundemental energy source of body cells. Co Q10 is also an antioxidant.

3.) Ginseng Ginseng is an herb that has been used in Asia for many years to improve energy levels. Studies have shown that it increases energy. Researchers have also discovered that ginseng enhances cellular immune function.

4.) Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) NADH is a naturally occurring molecule formed from vitamin B3 that is necessary for production of energy at the cellular level.

5) Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) DHEA is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and in smaller amounts by the ovaries and testes. DHEA can be converted into other steroid hormones in the body, such as estrogen and testosterone. DHEA levels affect memory, sleep, and mood. Studies have shown that DHEA-s levels are not normal in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. DHEA therapy is not recommended unless lab tests show there is a deficiency. Treatment should be closely supervised by a qualified doctor. The long-term safety of DHEA treatment is not known.

6) Essential Fatty Acids Essential fatty acids have been used in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome. Viruses diminish the capacity of cells to make 6-desaturated essential fatty acids and adding additional essential fatty acids corrects this condition.

7) Traditional Chinese Medicine Chinese medicine has found that chronic fatigue syndrome may be related to the following syndromes in traditional Chinese medicine:

essence deficiency

spleen qi deficiency

kidney yin deficiency

kidney yang deficiency

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome with Ayurveda methods would be to rid the body of toxins with a detox program. Ayurvedic herbs will be used, such as triphala, lomatiumashwagandha, amla, bala, triphala, and lomatium. These herbs are combined depending on the patient’s constitutional type or dosha. Your Ayurvedic type recommends certain foods you should eat to maintain good health.

Other natural treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome involve ingesting probiotics, magnesium, beta-carotene, vitamin C, melatonin, glutamine, licorice, folic acid, whey protein, and tyrosine.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a complicated medical condition that causes severe fatigue that becomes worse with physical activity. CFS fatigue symptoms do not improve with rest. Please visit us at Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment for more detailed, free information.