Causes of Chronic Fatigue: At Last, New Ideas for Understanding this Debilitating Disease
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Sat 4 Jul 2009
Attempts to diagnose the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have failed. The CFS symptom picture is similar to other poorly understood conditions such as Gulf War Syndrome, Sjogren’s Syndrome, and fibromyalgia. They all share common symptom patterns that defy attempts to define the causes.
Chronic fatigue plaques a large percent of the population while a diagnosis of CFS applies to fewer than 2% of the population. These conditions show multiple symptoms and enough different ones need to be present for a diagnosis of CFS. The symptoms experienced by those diagnosed with CFS are more severe and debilitating than those that disturb people with chronic fatigue.
A small percentage of chronic fatigue sufferers are diagnosed with CFS. The symptoms experienced by people with CFS include:
* concentration and memory problems
* concentration and memory problems
* headaches
Additional symptoms include:
* psychiatric problems
* feverishness
* skeletal muscle pain
* skeletal muscle pain
* sleep disturbances
* skeletal muscle pain
People’s lives are disrupted as a result of the symptoms and often lose jobs, have social problems, and get divorced. Even across the spectrum of the more severe symptoms of CFS, chronic fatigue sufferers can experience the same life-changing situations.
The Causes of Chronic Fatigue are Many and Don’t Allow for a One Cause/One Disease Diagnosis
There is much medical work going on to try to figure out what causes these syndromes which make such a huge impact on people’s lives. Daily chronic fatigue plaques a large portion of the population.
Is it possible that vaccines are implicated in some of the chronic diseases of our time? This burning question is all over the news particularly in the condition of autism. Recent research implicated vaccines as one of the causes of Gulf War Syndrome. The idea behind vaccines is to stimulate a protective effect by activating the immune system. But if it turns-on and stays on, then it begins to do damage itself and may lead to the symptoms of CFS.
The research was clear: vaccines, such as that used to fight anthrax, were involved in the cause of Gulf War Syndrome which is just another part of the chronic fatigue classification. This goes against the prevailing viewpoint and a great deal of resistance will arise to squash this notion so it doesn’t get a strong start.
For the reason that no medical diagnosis can be made, it may be time to look at alternatives to the prevailing belief system. It’s not well understood, but there are alternatives to modern medical viewpoints. Although medicine will argue against any attempts to side-step it, there are many other ways to strengthen the immune system and deal with toxic exposures such as vaccines.
It’s clear that chronic fatigue and CFS patients possess an immune system imbalance. There is decreased function in:
* macrophages
* macrophages
* NK cells
As of now, there’s no obvious connection between CFS and an abnormal immune system. This lack of clarity is what clouds the picture of trying to figue out what’s going on. This lack of success has gone on a long time and opens the door to look at therapies that are outside of the mainstream medical community.
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Fibromyalgia Symptoms - Often Confused As Flu
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Mon 22 Jun 2009
Fibromyalgia afflicts approximately 5% of the population. The majority of these are women. Fibromyalgia is a syndrome. The most common Fibromyalgia symptoms and diagnostic tool are the widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia can range in intensity from mild to severe. The severe end of the spectrum can be debilitating and disabling. In its milder forms, fibromyalgia is similar to the flu. The muscles and other soft tissues of the body just ache constantly.
Although pain is the main symptom of fibromyalgia, it is by no means the only symptom. Fibromyalgia, like other chronic pain syndromes, has a variety of symptoms associated with it. The first of these is fatigue. People afflicted with fibromyalgia often feel tired all the time. Upon waking from a night’s sleep, they do not feel rested. Sleep is the body’s way of regenerating. However, if the sleep is disturbed too often and the body is never allowed to enter into the deep restorative stage, then fatigue is inevitable.
Another common symptom of fibromyalgia is chronic headaches. Fibromyalgia headaches come in three forms - tension headaches, migraines or combination headaches. Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the neck, shoulders and jaw. The continuous contractions cause the muscles to tense and eventually lead to a headache beginning at the base of the skull and spreading towards the temples. Migraines are caused by the constriction and dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. Similar to the muscle contractions, the blood vessels constrict slowing circulation in the brain and then suddenly dilate causing extreme pain.
Costochondritis is a less common, yet scary, symptom of fibromyalgia. Costochondritis causes chest pains that mimic a heart attack. These pains are caused by the inflammation of the cartilage between the rib cage and the sternum.
However, it can be a frightening symptom since the pain associated with costochondritis is similar to that of a heart attack or stroke.
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Most Common Causes of Fatigue: How You Can Come Out on Top
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Wed 17 Jun 2009
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the severest form of fatigue, and long-standing fatigue, aren’t diseases just of modern times. Both conditions have a long history of afflicting humans. Over the years they’ve been called by other names, yet fatigue is still fatigue.
The public and the medical establishment in many countries have tried to understand what are the primary causes of fatigue. Early-on it was understood that there were likely many candidates that were involved in causing fatigue. In the late 1800’s, the medical people termed fatigue and its constellation of symptoms, “neurasthenia.”
The first World War marked a time where chronic fatigue was a major complaint for millions of American and European citizens. It was such a major problem that the medical community tried to find out why so many people were tired all the time.
Medicine doesn’t do well with conditions that have a large symptom picture and neurasthenia was just that type of condition. Doctors were constantly trying to define the condition with a less broad and more narrow understanding and apply specific names:
* Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Post-Viral Infectious Fatigue
* Fibromyalgia
There is no known effective treatment available for millions of sufferers of the fatigue syndrome. Sadly, the Medical Establishment hasn’t been able to understand the specific causes of fatigue.
Yet, all of the these conditions share the similarity of a constellation of symptoms:
* fatigue
* muscle weakness
* muscle weakness
* anxiety
* inability to cope with stress
* balance difficulties
* pain
* inflammation
* balance difficulties
* and many other debilitating symptoms
Chronic fatigue presents a complex symptom picture. Physicians are unable to make a diagnosis based only on symptoms. All of the tests that doctors use to understand why people are so tired fail to turn anything up.
Modern Medicine has Been Unable to Define Specific Causes
Medicine operates largely on the theory of “one cause/one disease.” A complex condition such as fatigue throws a monkey wrench into the process of trying to diagnose the causes of this condition. What we do know is that fatigue is the result of multiple agents acting simultaneously.
Since the medical community has no solutions for dealing with fatigue, many people are turning to alternative therapies and ideas. Medicine shouts not to do that because, they argue, these therapies are unproven. The alternative arena has treatments that work but it is also populated by marketers who don’t provide effective solutions.
I believe the alternative choices that are available provide effective and useful therapies. You need to make sound choices and you cannot expert support from your doctor. Workable solutions include:
* appropriate exercise
* the judicious use of diet
* the most appropriate diet is low-carbohydrate
* yet this diet is maligned by the medical community
* the use of selected vitamins, minerals, and herbs
* unfortunately, the public is not trained in choosing these
* of course, medicine knows nothing of this due to its reliance on drugs
Many people will tell you that they were able to beat chronic fatigue because of alternative treatments. Medicine offers up nothing much more than some ineffective advice and it realizes that it has no effective therapies, a point made in all medical journal articles.
The medical community/business has a long history of putting-down any therapies other than those they support. This is particularly true when it comes to acupuncture, homeopathy, and nutritional supplements. Yet, it these same therapies that offer the only hope that people have who suffer from chronic fatigue.
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Most Common Causes of Fatigue — How to Overcome People’s Main Health Complaint
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Tue 16 Jun 2009
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), the severest form of fatigue, and long-standing fatigue, aren’t diseases just of modern times. Both conditions have a long history of afflicting humans. Over the years they’ve been called by other names, yet fatigue is still fatigue.
The public and the medical establishment in many countries have tried to understand what are the primary causes of fatigue. Early-on it was understood that there were likely many candidates that were involved in causing fatigue. In the late 1800’s, the medical people termed fatigue and its constellation of symptoms, “neurasthenia.”
Both in Europe and America at the time of the first World War, chronic fatigue was a common complaint. Since that time, medical doctors have tried to uncover why so many people suffer from long-standing fatigue.
Medicine doesn’t do well with conditions that have a large symptom picture and neurasthenia was just that type of condition. Doctors were constantly trying to define the condition with a less broad and more narrow understanding and apply specific names:
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Post-Viral Infectious Fatigue
* Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
* Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
There is no known effective treatment available for millions of sufferers of the fatigue syndrome. Sadly, the Medical Establishment hasn’t been able to understand the specific causes of fatigue.
All conditions of fatigue, however, consist of a similar symptom picture that’s remarkable in its pattern:
* fatigue
* anxiety
* inability to cope with stress
* pain
* inability to cope with stress
* gastrointestinal disturbances
* pain
* anxiety
* inability to cope with stress
* and many other debilitating symptoms
The complexity of the symptom picture and the failure of medical tests, such as blood work-ups and MRIs, to detect anything wrong has led to a wasteland of continued suffering.
Modern Medicine has Been Unable to Define Specific Causes
The noted microbiologist, Rene DuBois, stated that most diseases arise because of multiple agents acting at the same time. This philosophy counters the prevailing medical idea of “one cause/one disease.” Since it’s that idea that directs the attempt of medical diagnosis for fatigue, the failure lies with the inability to contemplate the complex and interacting array of symptoms that are the result of the actual causes.
Because the medical establishment has been unable to find the causes of the fatigue syndromes, there are no effective treatments. As a result, suffering people are looking for solutions and they do so by turning to therapies outside of mainstream medicine.
In my view, the best way to deal with chronic fatigue is to use the therapies that do exist in the alternative arena as long as you can find trusted and truthful guides. Some effective treatments include:
* appropriate exercise
* the judicious use of diet
* the most appropriate diet is low-carbohydrate
* yet this diet is maligned by the medical community
* the use of selected vitamins, minerals, and herbs
* unfortunately, the public is not trained in choosing these
* of course, medicine knows nothing of this due to its reliance on drugs
I have seen many people overcome their suffering from chronic fatigue but not because of medical treatment. Even the medical community understands that it has no effective therapies. This point is published in many medical journals.
The medical community/business has a long history of putting-down any therapies other than those they support. This is particularly true when it comes to acupuncture, homeopathy, and nutritional supplements. Yet, it these same therapies that offer the only hope that people have who suffer from chronic fatigue.
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Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Announcing a New Breakthrough in Chronic Fatigue
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Mon 15 Jun 2009
For many people, their day is one of tiredness and exhaustion and they feel as if they are running on empty. They just don’t have enough energy to lead a happy and productive life.
Every physical action and both emotional and mental actions expend energy. When energy is used, it must be replenished. The stress of living drains our energy resources.
As we experience daily stresses, our hormonal system plays a large role and the adrenal gland is the orchestra leader in instructing the body’s parts what to do. The primary stress handling system is called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This system turns-on to deal with all the stress we experience. But, after it starts to rev up, it must go back to its resting position.
The HPA Axis Cannot Stay Turned-On or It Will Actually Cause Damage
Unfortunately, for many people, it rarely turns off so it has no chance to recover and heal. The adrenal gland has two parts: the medulla which secretes adrenaline. This is the well-known fight-or-flight hormone. Quick acting, it prepares us to fight or flee from imminent danger.
The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol which acts more slowly and is the primary hormone involved in dealing with chronic stress, such as war. Medical studies of the chronic and extreme fatigue syndromes have implicated the HPA axis as being involved.
Cortisol deficiency and adrenal gland involvement were first presented as the possible causes of fatigue states in the late 1800’s. Medicine is very confused about the underlying causes of fatigue and since there are so many possible causes it cannot reach a conclusion or consensus about cortisol.
There are large variations in defining the capacity of adrenal output and this is a primary reason for the lack of a definitive answer about adrenal fatigue. If an individual does have adrenal weakness then he is at risk for adrenal crisis which might occur when he experiences a major stress such as a surgery or severe infection.
When Medicine Cannot Provide a Diagnosis this is Called Sub-Clinical Fatigue
For most chronically fatigued persons, the medical investigation does not turn-up any specific dysfunction or cause. Only about 1-2% of chronically fatigued persons are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The lack of a diagnosis and the lack of support of the physician don’t make the condition any less real to the individual.
Recent studies have shown that the HPA axis is likely involved and that, in particular, there is a diminished contribution from the adrenal gland via its production of cortisol. Recent studies have shown that adrenal gland size is reduced by 50% in those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome.
This surely suggests that adrenal fatigue syndrome due to shrinking of the adrenal gland is likely involved in all chronic and extreme fatigue individuals. Unfortunately, these studies have not led to the development of any effective medical therapies.
In the field of alternative medicine, however, nutritional supplementation plans, such as the use of DHEA, and more complex programs involving exercise, diet, vitamin/mineral complexes, and the judicious use of specific herbal formulations suggest that adrenal fatigue syndrome can be dealt with effectively.
This, of course, occurs outside of mainstream medicine, and without its approval. This creates a difficult environment for individuals who most often rely on their doctor’s guidance and are unwilling to take health care into their own hands. Yet, surveys show that many people are now turning to alternative medicine because their doctors offer no effective strategies for dealing with the ever-increasing epidemic of fatigue in our modern times.
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Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome: Find Out Why it Drains Your Energy
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Sat 13 Jun 2009
Most people have depleted energy reserves and describe their day as running on empty. Having enough energy to lead a happy and productive life is missing for most people.
Every physical action and both emotional and mental actions expend energy. When energy is used, it must be replenished. The stress of living drains our energy resources.
As we experience daily stresses, our hormonal system plays a large role and the adrenal gland is the orchestra leader in instructing the body’s parts what to do. The primary stress handling system is called the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. This system turns-on to deal with all the stress we experience. But, after it starts to rev up, it must go back to its resting position.
An Activated Stress Response is Supposed to Do Its Job and Then Turn-Off
Unfortunately, for many people, it rarely turns off so it has no chance to recover and heal. The adrenal gland has two parts: the medulla which secretes adrenaline. This is the well-known fight-or-flight hormone. Quick acting, it prepares us to fight or flee from imminent danger.
The adrenal cortex secretes cortisol which acts more slowly and is the primary hormone involved in dealing with chronic stress, such as war. Medical studies of the chronic and extreme fatigue syndromes have implicated the HPA axis as being involved.
Cortisol deficiency and adrenal gland involvement were first presented as the possible causes of fatigue states in the late 1800’s. Medicine is very confused about the underlying causes of fatigue and since there are so many possible causes it cannot reach a conclusion or consensus about cortisol.
The ability to define the overall functional capacity of the adrenal gland is not well understood. An adrenal crisis might occur if one experienced a too high stress that overwhelmed the functional capacity of the adrenal output of cortisol. A divorce, surgery, shock, or infection are examples of what could overwhelm the adrenal.
When Medicine Cannot Provide a Diagnosis this is Called Sub-Clinical Fatigue
Few people are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), but a large percent of the population suffers from undiagnosable chronic and extreme fatigue. Because medical work-ups cannot find any specific dysfunction, this does not make the fatigue any less weakening to the individual.
Current investigations have shown that the HPA axis is involved and that the primary defect is a reduced output of cortisol from the adrenal gland. Studies have shown that adrenal gland size is reduced by about half in those diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome showing a functional reason for less cortisol output.
This evidence supports the idea that adrenal fatigue syndrome arises from a reduced cortisol output because of the reduced size of the adrenal gland. Adrenal gland reduced capacity is likely involved in all cases of chronic and extreme fatigue. From a medical point of view, this understanding has not led to the development of any effective therapies.
Since medical therapies don’t exist, some have suggested to explore the treatments offered by alternative medicine. These include exercise, diet, vitamin/mineral complexes, and the use of specific herbal formulations and nutritional supplementation plans, such as the use of DHEA. The results suggest that adrenal fatigue syndrome can be dealt with effectively through alternatives to modern medicine.
This, of course, occurs outside of mainstream medicine, and without its approval. This creates a difficult environment for individuals who most often rely on their doctor’s guidance and are unwilling to take health care into their own hands. Yet, surveys show that many people are now turning to alternative medicine because their doctors offer no effective strategies for dealing with the ever-increasing epidemic of fatigue in our modern times.
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