Health Issues Linked to Chronic Fatigue
DESCRIPTION:Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome refers to severe and disabling fatigue for at least six months without a proven physical or psychological cause. Although the cause of chronic fatigue is unknown, it has been postulated that psychological factors, viruses or toxic chemical agents, or abnormalities of the immune system may be significant contributors.
Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome usally sets in after a cold or other illness during which the lymph nodes are swollen. Patients experience extreme fatigue that is not relieved by sleep or rest. Most have abdominal pain, headaches, and pain in the muscles and joints. Over time, the symptoms lessen and are less as debilitating.
The greatest frequency of the disease is experienced by people between 20 and 50 years of age, and seems to correlate most with psychological and/or immunological factors. Some believe that chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome is actually a psychological disorder as depression often accompanies it, and the depressed immune system is caused by the psychological stress. However, there have also been sporadic outbreaks in various locations throughout the years, which suggests that it is more than just a psychological disturbance.
Since the exact cause of chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome is unknown, there are no tests or procedures that can be performed to determine if a patient has chronic fatigue syndrome. Health practitioners must rule out other diseases with similar symptoms before they can diagnose their patient with chronic fatigue. In the past, other diagnoses were used to describe what we now group together as chronic fatigue, such as the vapors, neurasthenia, effort syndrome, hyperventilation syndrome, chronic brucellosis, epidemic neuromyasthenia, myalgic encephalomyelitis, hypoglycemia, multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, chronic candidiasis, chronic mononucleosis, chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection, and post-viral fatigue syndrome.
– Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome –There are no consistent initiators to this condition, but Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome is most often preceded by infections of viruses, bacteria, fungi, or yeast; allergies, flu-like conditions, or stressful situations. Some researchers suspect mercury poisoning from amalgam fillings or infection with the Candida albicans fungi. This syndrome typically arises suddenly in normally active individuals.
– The Nutritional Approach –Foods that have been proven to help with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome:Soluble fiber found in flax, psyllium, and okra. Garlic, Reishi mushrooms, and shitake mushrooms. Raw foods and raw juices (preferably vegetable juices), raw nuts, deep-water fish and acidophilus should be added to the diet.
Avoid processed nutrient-poor foods, simple/refined sugars, hard and altered fats, stimulants such as coffee, tea, and sodas; fried foods, white flours, and heavy meals.
Nutrients that have been proven to help with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:Magnesium, Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, L-carnitine, Zinc, Copper, Potassium, Phosphate, Calcium, Vitamins A, B, C, and D, Amino Acids and Proteins.
Exercises that have been proven to help with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:In studies on chronic fatigue therapies, both fatigue and quality of life improved with three months of exercise therapy, writes researcher M. Edmonds with the Cochrane Collaboration research group. Edmonds’ report provides a review of data from five studies (involving more than 300 chronic fatigue patients) comparing results of treatments including exercise therapy.
Exercise therapy is typically defined as three to five exercise sessions every week for 12 weeks, each session involving 30 minutes of moderate to intense levels of aerobic exercise.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Forever Living Products associated with CFS:
Aloe Vera Gel, Forever Bee pollen, Forever Royal Jelly
