Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS):
From Adrenal Dysfunction To Long Hauler Syndrome
If you are excessively tired and exhausted and cannot pinpoint the reason of your tiredness, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is characterized by extreme exhaustion that does not improve with rest and may even worsen with physical or mental effort.
A severe, ongoing condition, CFS affects various physiological functions. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a serious and often long-lasting illness that keeps people from doing their usual activities. Patients with CFS may occasionally be forced to stay in bed. Patients with CFS frequently experience severe fatigue and sleep problems.
Depression and a deterioration in the quality of life are possible consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Consult a healthcare professional if your weariness prevents you from participating completely in your employment, studies, or other activities.
Symptoms
A patient in integrated medicine is viewed holistically. It entails more than merely switching to non-medical or non-surgical options. It’s important to acquire an accurate diagnosis, such as the one that comes from fulfilling the aforementioned standards, but it’s as important to take other probable causes of the symptoms and severity of CFS into consideration.
Signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may include:
- long lasting exhaustion, more than 6 months
- extreme fatigue that lasts for more than 24 hours after exerting one's body or mind
- poor focus and memory
- disruptions in sleep
- lymph nodes that are sore and swollen in your neck or underarm
- sore muscles
- painful joints
- digestive system symptoms
- nighttime perspiration and chills
- moodiness or worry
- chemical, food, odour, or medicinal sensitivities
Causes
Although the etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is unknown, it frequently develops following an infection or a stressful event. Some of the theories regarding its cause include hormone imbalance, immune system dysfunction, and depression. According to some medical experts, a variety of factors may have a role in the emergence of chronic fatigue syndrome. While the exact cause remains unknown, several theories have been proposed:
- Viral Infections
Some research suggests that viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus or human herpesvirus-6, may play a role in the development of CFS. These infections can trigger a prolonged immune response, leading to chronic fatigue and other symptoms.
- Immune System Dysfunction
Abnormal immune system activity has been implicated in CFS. Chronic inflammation and increased levels of certain cytokines, which are signaling molecules involved in the immune response, may contribute to the condition.
- Neuroinflammation
Recent studies suggest that neuroinflammation, or inflammation in the brain and nervous system, may be a key factor in CFS. This inflammation can disrupt the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading to hormonal imbalances and fatigue.
- Genetic Factors
Genetic factors may predispose individuals to developing CFS. Family history of CFS or other autoimmune diseases may increase the risk.
- Environmental Factors
While less well-understood, environmental factors such as exposure to toxins or stress may also contribute to CFS.
It’s important to note that the exact cause of CFS is likely a combination of these factors, and individual cases may vary.
Diagnosis
It is not possible to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome with a single conclusive test. You may need various medical tests to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms. Doctors rely on a detailed medical history, physical examination, and ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms. Learn more here.
The core symptom of CFA is severe fatigue lasting at least six months that worsens with physical or mental activity and doesn’t improve with rest. Reducing symptoms is the aim of treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome.
CFS is associated with a variety of diseases, such as brucellosis, coronavirus infection, depression, cancer, etc., [1,2] but because only fatigue symptoms appear in the early onset of CFS, it is hardly to cause enough attention from patients. Moreover, the diagnosis method of CFS is relatively old, and nearly 80% of patients are difficult to diagnose in time, which delays their treatment.[3]
It’s estimated that between 836,000 and 3.3 million people in the United States suffer from CFS, and a significant portion remains undiagnosed. This condition can have a substantial impact on quality of life and lead to significant economic costs. Learn more here.
Risk factors
While anyone can develop CFS, some factors may increase the risk, such as a family history of CFS, viral infections (like Epstein-Barr virus), and certain autoimmune diseases. Learn more here.
Functional Medicine Treatment
People frequently turn to functional and integrated medicine to treat their CFS-related problems. Integrated Medicine is a preferred method of evaluation because there is no “one size fits all” method for treating CFS. Your functional medicine practitioner will pinpoint the underlying causes of your persistent tiredness and offer a customized treatment plan to address the problem.
In the conventional management of chronic fatigue syndrome, common pharmaceuticals include antidepressants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, blood pressure medications, psychostimulants, and corticosteroids (CFS). These therapies may have adverse short-term or long-term effects.
Any chronic condition that an integrated medicine treats must be viewed as a process that involves:
- Establishing clear treatment goals
Your functional medicine practitioner develops a thorough understanding of all elements affecting your health, including physical, psychological, emotional, and lifestyle concerns.
- Development of a comprehensive treatment plan
Your functional medicine practitioner will employ extensive testing, questionnaires, analysis, and natural supplements to treat your issues and advance your well-being. In order to maximize your body’s innate potential to recover and support your mind throughout the healing process, the therapy will put an emphasis on you as a whole person. This includes using homeopathy, nutritional therapy, and herbal medicine to treat and relieve symptoms.
- Dietary and nutritional advice to enhance your health, energy, and well-being
Consider seeking out lifestyle therapy to support you emotionally as you go through the recovery process. For example, the use of flower essence therapy can control emotional agitation and promote sound sleep.
Acupuncture & Moxibustion
Acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional Chinese medicine practices, have shown promising results in the treatment of CFS. Studies suggest that these techniques can effectively address symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and sleep disturbances.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body, while moxibustion involves the application of heat to acupuncture points using a heated herb. Both practices aim to restore balance and harmony to the body’s energy flow.
Research has indicated that acupuncture and moxibustion can:
- Reduce fatigue
- Alleviate pain
- Improve sleep quality
- Boost the immune system
While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these benefits, acupuncture and moxibustion offer a promising approach for managing CFS symptoms and improving overall quality of life. Learn more here.
How to Improve Your Overall Well-Being
Natural medicine can make you feel better overall and address any underlying issues you might not be aware of. Your integrated medicine specialist will frequently be able to identify any “gut” issues that may be causing your CFS, such as food intolerances or “leaky gut,” as well as potential viruses, problems with how your adrenal glands are functioning, or other toxicity-related issues. The best strategy for achieving a positive and long-lasting outcome is to treat additional medical conditions concurrently.
Classic Treatment Options
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment Options
The current approach to managing CFS focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life. This may include:
- 1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps patients develop coping skills to manage stress, improve sleep, and change negative thoughts that can worsen fatigue.
- 2. Graded Exercise Therapy (GET)
GET involves gradually increasing physical activity levels to improve stamina and reduce fatigue.
- 3. Symptomatic Treatment
Medications may be prescribed to manage specific symptoms such as pain, sleep problems, or depression. While these approaches can be beneficial, they may not provide a cure for all patients. Many are unaware that conventional treatment plans for CFS can have immediate or long-term negative effects, and they can even worsen your symptoms. Some of the medications included in conventional treatments include:
- antidepressants
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- antihistamines
- anti-anxiety medications
- blood pressure meds
- psychostimulants
- corticosteroids
Conclusion
Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) at Dao Integrated Health aims to lessen or completely eradicate symptoms and stop reoccurring episodes.
With Integrated Medicine, we can spend more time with our patients and develop individualized treatment strategies. We build our treatment on the person, with the main emphasis on internal healing. We simply support the body to do what it does best, heal and regenerate.
References
[1] Brucellosis and chronic fatigue syndrome. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557676/
[2] Coronavirus infection and chronic fatigue syndrome. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060761/
[3] Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557676/