Chronic fatigue syndrome is also known as (CFS) and it is a term that’s normally used to describe a wide-array of symptoms that could include low-grade fever, loss of concentration, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, muscle weakness, sore throat, joint pain and headaches. Trying to diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome can be very difficult because the symptoms are highly similar to other conditions, especially those of fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivity disorder.
In 1988, the Centers for Disease Control formally defined chronic fatigue syndrome when diagnostic criteria were established. However, chronic fatigue syndrome was actually identified in the 1860s and has been known as different names such as yuppie flu, postinfection neuromyasthenia and chronic-mononucleosis-like syndrome.
As of now, the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not known. However, there are some ideas out there and one of them is that it is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is a member of the extended group of herpes viruses. It is considered to be a culprit because like other viruses in the herpes family, it remains dormant in the body until the immune system is weakened. When the immune system becomes compromised, the virus is then free to pillage and wreak havoc, which causes symptoms emblematic of CFS. In addition, other organisms that are thought to be a cause are brucella, enterovirus and herpesvirus-6.
The immune system can become compromised by a variety of ways such as stress, poor diet, and lack of sleep, alcohol, drug use or smoking. Also, a deficiency in any nutrient can make the immune system weaker, which makes it susceptible to attack from foreign invaders that are harmful and can weaken the body causing fatigue.
Being chronically fatigued all of the time can have other causes as well. Some of the more notable causes of fatigue are diabetes, heart disease, yeast infection (candida), chronic pain, lung disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, liver disease, cancer and chronic pain. In addition, high stress levels, depression, food allergies, anemia, antihypertensive drugs, birth control pills, tranquillizers, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatory medications are also considered to be causes of chronic fatigue.
All-natural chronic fatigue syndrome treatment
- Strengthen your immune system by taking ginseng, which is usually out of balance in people with CFS. According to one double-blind study, thirty-six healthy individuals were given ten milliliters of Siberian ginseng extract or a placebo for 4 weeks. The people that were given the ginseng showed significant improvement in several markers of immune system strength. You can take any of the following on a daily basis: dried root, two to four grams; ten to twenty milliliters tincture; two to four milliliters fluid extract; one hundred to two hundred milligrams dried powdered extract.
- Relieve fatigue and muscle pain with magnesium. Chronic fatigue can be caused by an underlying magnesium deficiency. Many people with CFS have been found to have very low levels of magnesium. Many studies have shown that daily magnesium supplementation greatly improves the patient’s energy levels, emotional state, and pain. The best form of magnesium to take is citrate or aspirate, take 200 to 300 milligrams a day.
- The antiviral herb licorice can help by relieving chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms; this is true especially for people with adrenal insufficiency as well as abnormally low blood pressure. You can take any of the following three times a day: two to four grams of the powdered root; two to four milliliters fluid extract; two hundred and fifty to five hundred milligrams dried powdered extract.
- Give your immune system a boost with coenzyme Q10. Take seventy-five milligrams a day.
- You can give your immune system a shot in the arm by taking astragalus. Take two hundred and fifty to five hundred milligrams dried root capsules 2 to 3 times a day with a meal or water, or you can take three to five milliliters tincture or extract 3 times a day.
- If your CFS is a result of an over growth of yeast or candida infection, you can use acidophilus, which helps to restore the good bacteria. Take one to two billion CFU daily.
Tips on how to prevent chronic fatigue syndrome
Because a precise cause of chronic fatigue syndrome has not been identified, there are really no exact specific steps to prevent it. However, the only thing that you can do is try to keep your immune system as strong as you can, which will help to keep away the condition.
As you know, CFS can be hard to detect as well as treat. Therefore, if your symptoms persist for more than one month, see a physician that specializes in treating people with CFS immediately.
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