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Managing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by Beth Davis and Robyn Sterling Kochan
C
hronic Fatigue Syn- drome, or CFS, is defined by the Cen- ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as “a debilitating and com- plex disorder character- ized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity.” As the name suggests, fatigue is one part of this illness. However, it’s not the kind
of fatigue we might feel after a sleepless night or a particularly busy week. It is a severe, incapacitating, all-encompassing fatigue that can dramatically reduce our activity level and stamina. To make mat- ters worse, the fatigue is accompanied by other symptoms, such as weakness, persistent muscle pain, impaired memo- ry and/or mental concentration, head- ache, sore throat, tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit and insomnia. Unfortunately, because some of the symptoms are similar to so many other illnesses, CFS is often misdiagnosed or overlooked. In fact, the CDC estimates that 20 percent of CFS patients go untreated. The CDC also notes that the illness strikes more people in the Unites States—more than one million Ameri- cans—than multiple sclerosis, lupus and many forms of cancer.
Symptoms can persist for months,
or even years. Although there is no specific treatment or universally reliable cure, plenty can be done to help im- prove the condition. We’ve asked local practitioners and others to provide tips and treatments to support CFS sufferers on their journey to wellness. To start, in honor of CFS Interna-
tional Awareness Day on May 12, Natu- ral Awakenings reader Robyn Sterling Kochan offers 12 simple, yet effective choices individuals can make right now
28 Pocono, PA / Warren Co., NJ
to begin feeling better: Avoid strong odors like diesel and man-made fragrances such as per- fumes, detergents, soaps and fabric softeners.
• Replace harsh house- hold chemicals with environmentally friendly, natural and milder agents. • Eliminate white sugar from the diet. Stevia is an acceptable substitute
for many.
• Trade sugary fruit juices and caffeine for herbal teas.
• Eat organic whole foods rather than processed foods.
• Get proper sleep by practicing good sleep hygiene.
• Continually monitor and limit con- tact with stress-inducers.
• Set boundaries with others and your- self. Be honest about what you can and cannot do. Ask others for help.
• Stay in the moment. Don’t waste energy fretting over past hurts or resentments.
• When scheduling activities, build in periods of rest to avoid becoming mentally or physically exerted. Adhere to your limits in time and energy.
• Make time for spiritual practice and focus on simple pleasures. Be grate- ful for something every day.
• Practice patience and commitment. Nature’s timetable is often slower than taking a pill. Natural changes take time, but do occur.
The Practitioners’ Approach Dr. John Harrington, owner of Sunrise Nutrition Center, says chronic fatigue syndrome can come on suddenly or happen slowly over time. “There are many causes of chronic fatigue and depending on the cause, each case may be treated differently,” he states.
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“At the Sunrise Nutrition Center we find that most chronic fatigue cases are either caused by toxins or hidden infec- tions that are not normally detected by traditional testing. Food allergies and hormone problems are also commonly found but a whole body approach to health is how we get the best results.” Harrington says they use biofeed-
back technique, a form of muscle test- ing, to determine the underlying cause of the fatigue, as well as functional medicine testing (specialized blood, saliva or urine tests). “We may find only one cause or
many contributing causes,” he explains. “Our treatments for chronic fatigue include supervised detoxification, im- mune support for chronic infections, dietary modification and food allergy testing. Nutritional deficiencies are also ruled out, as well as mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a key factor in the energy production of our cells.” The doctor advises that genetic mutations in a complex biochemi- cal pathway called the “methylation cycle” can also be tested for in cases of chronic fatigue. This pathway helps repair blood vessels, provides support for proper detoxification, helps con- trols inflammation and is important for proper mood and energy levels. “A de- fect in a particular gene called MTHFR will not allow for proper ‘methylation’ and a myriad of health problems such as chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, mood disorders and many other problems can follow,” he notes. “This genetic problem is tested for and if positive, a nutritional treatment plan can help overcome this disorder.” Harrington adds that one of the most common causes of chronic fatigue is undiagnosed Lyme disease. “This dis- order has caused more confusion and controversy than any other we know,” he notes. “The current tests are 50 to 70 percent inaccurate due to lack of sen- sitivity. We see many people who are not properly diagnosed, but it can be controlled in most cases with a healthy lifestyle, sound nutritional advice and proper detoxification.” East Stroudsburg physician Mikhail
Artamonov says one component of CFS is a compromised immune system
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