Wednesday, September 24, 2003

About chronic fatigue syndrome

According to the CDC, in order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a person has to be suffering from the following symptoms:

1. New, unexplained, persistent, or relapsing chronic fatigue that is not a consequence of exertion, not resolving by bed rest, and severe enough to significantly reduce previous daily activity.

2. Four or more of the symptoms below for at lease six months:

Unexplained or new headaches.

Short-term memory or concentration impairment

Muscle pain.

Pain in multiple joints unaccompanied by redness or swelling.

Un-refreshing sleep.

Post-exertion malaise that lasts for longer than 24 hours.

Sore throat.

Tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

According to Dr. Susser, M.D., ofLos Angeles, California, other symptoms include allergies, autoimmune reactions, dizziness, anxiety attacks, night sweats, rashes, breathing irregularities, hypersensitivity to heat and cold and to light and sound, and irregular heartbeat.

CFS is a complex condition and, due to the myriad of symptoms, which overlap those related to other conditions, it is extremely hard to diagnose.There is no definitive medical test for this condition, making its recognition and treatment difficult and controversial.

My initial investigation of treatments for this condition led me to a variety of medical procedures for combating the viruses (Epstein-Barr and herpes simplex) and infections (related to sinusitis or cystitis), which eventually become a part of the treatment of this condition. It is reported that conventional medicine has achieved only limited results in treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Further investigation brought me to a book by William G. Crook, MD. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Yeast Connection. 1992.If you have not heard about this connection, it is a pragmatic and enlightening approach.The following information is from this book.

It has been noted that individuals may develop CFS:

After an acute non-epidemic viral illness.

After working in an airtight office building loaded with pollutants.

Living in a home polluted with environmental chemicals.

After exposure to toxic chemicals in a factory.

After living in the tropics and acquiring a parasitic infection.

Living in a damp, moldy home.

Following the insertion of mercury/amalgam dental fillings.

After taking long-term antibiotics.

As overgrowth of yeast or Candida albicans take hold, and the person finds themselves in the downward spiral leading to further immunosupression leading to:

A vicious cycle of vaginal yeast infections.

A vicious cycle of bacterial infections.

Endocrine dysfunction (fatigue, dry skin, infertility, subnormal temperature, sugar craving, PMS, loss of libido, irregular menstruation).

Dr. Crook then describes in depth information about the approach to regaining health as summarized in the accompanying diagram.

It is emphasized that there is no "Quick Fix" or "Magic Bullet" and changing life-styles is not easy.However, since this is a multifaceted problem, all of the above mentioned components must be pursued. Dr. Crook's book goes into detail about these areas.

In my clinical experience with patients diagnosed with CFS, I have worked with them to reduce internal stresses by restoring balance to their structure (cervical spine and spinal column) and external stresses by recommending lifestyle modifications.The structural changes alone support a stronger immune system, and help other components of the treatment to be more effective.

We will be discussing this important topic at our Community Service Health Talk onThursday, September 25, 2003 at 3:00 PM.This monthly event is held at the Heritage of Peachtree Retirement and Assisted Living Center, 1967 Ga. Highway 54, Fayetteville.Refreshments will be served.Bring a friend. Call 770-631-7600 for more information or directions.