A Winning Solution for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A Winning Solution for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

It's normal to feel -worn out' once in a while. However, for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), weariness refuses to abate, regardless of how much they rest. What's worse, the medical establishment has failed to produce an effective treatment for this disorder. Some patients have even been outright ignored by healthcare providers or told that their symptoms are 'all in their mind".

Consequently, many CFS patients are turning to -alternative' health care for help. Chiropractors pride themselves on their personal relationships with their patients and are taught to never ignore or dismiss a patient's symptoms or concerns. If you have CFS, chiropractors can help you weed out ineffective therapies and develop a plan for restoring energy and vitality.

Signs and Symptoms of CFS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in order for a patient to be diagnosed with CFS, the following criteria must be met:
1.The patient must experience persistent fatigue that is not alleviated by rest and that interferes with occupational, educational, social or personal activities.
2.The patient must have had at least four of the following symptoms for a full six month: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymohnodes; muscle pain, multijoint pain without swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unfreshing sleep; and post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours.

What causes CFS
Despite 12 years of ongoing investigation, the causes of CFS continues to elude researches. Many possible etiologies have been investigated including viruses, toxins and psychological factors. It has also been suggested that CFS is linked to an overgrowth of years (Candida albicans) in the body (Medical Hypotheses 1995;44:507-15). However, none of these were found to cause CFS in all cases.

Scientists continue to search for a cause and are now turning their attention towards genetic and environmental factors. Immune system problems, hormonal imbalances and nervous-system abnormalities are also being considered. Because CFS sufferers are likely to have low-blood pressure or hypertension, scientists theorize that CFS is tied to the autonomic nervous system, the system responsible for blood-pressure control (American Journal of Medicine 1998;105:15-21).

How Widespread is CFS
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome (CFIDS), is a huge – and largely unrecognized – problem through the world. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC) estimates that 183 out of every 100,00 people have CFS.

CFS affects all ages and all races, although it is more common among Caucasians. And, women are 5.7 times more likely to develop CSF, compared with men. According to Dr. William C. Reeves, a spokesperson for the CDC, 'CFS is three times more common than HIV infection in women, 25 times the rate of AIDS among women and is considerably higher than a woman's lifetime risk of getting lung cancer."

Can Chiropractic Help CFS?
According to the Chronic Fatigue Immune Deficiency Syndrome Association of America, no drug therapy exists that helps all CFS patients. Since no drug treatments have proven effective for treating CFS in all patients, many CFS sufferers are seeking relief from Dr. Sipser and other doctors of chiropractic especially because chiropractic is safer than drug regimes. And, chiropractic care may alleviate some aspects of the disease (Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 1992;15:529-35). For example, many CFS sufferers experienced chronic back and neck pain. By removing spinal subluxations, chiropractor provide effective, long-lasting relief from these CFS-related conditions.

Chiropractors also seek to minimise the possible risk factors of CFS by working to reduce stress and promote wellness-oriented lifestyles. Many chiropractors report success managing CFS, especially in regard to relieving the muscle and joint pain that often accompanies the disorder.

Energy Foods
Experts warn that people with CFS should avoid foods containing refined sugar and caffeine. These foods can zap what little energy CFS patients have left. And some CFS sufferers report success with dairy-free diets.

Get Moving
Exercise is extremely difficult for people with chronic fatigue, who often have trouble merely getting out of bed. However, gradual low-level exercise can significantly decrease the symptoms of CFS. For example, one study compared gradual exercise to the antidepressant drug flouxetine. While flourxetine did reduce signs of depression, only exercise improved work productivity, fatigue and health perception (British Journal of Psychiatry 1998;172:482-90).

Another study followed 47 CFS patients who took part in an aerobic exercise program. At a one-year follow-up, 68% of patients reported feeling better (BMJ 1997;314:1647-52).

Experts recommend that CFS sufferers begin to exercise very slowly – even if it means simply walking around your home, once a day. Too much, too soon can exacerbate the symptoms of CFS. If you have CFS, your doctor of chiropractic can recommend a graded exercise program right for your unique situation.

Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive therapy has proven effective for some people with CFS. Psychological counseling can be especially helpful in treating the depression that often accompanies the disorder. If you suffer from CFS, co-management between your chiropractor and mental-health professional may boost your energy level and get you on the fast track to recovery.

Keep the Faith!
CFS makes even simple daily tasks frustrating and overwhelming. Yet, if you have CFS it is vital that you remain hopeful regarding recovery. Many patients report excellent results from alternative therapies and positive thinking.

Experts stress that attitude profoundly influences recovery from CFS. Many doctors and researchers have found that CFS patients who maintain an optimistic outlook are more likely to beat the disease. Chiropractors know that the body and mind are connected and work to instill a sense of hope in patients with CFS.

Nutritional Supplements
Can dietary supplements correct CFS? More research is needed to answer that question. However, the following nutrients have been linked to CFS:
Research suggests a link between low serum folic acid and CFS (Neurology 1993;43:2645-7).
One study indicated that multivitamins, in conjunction with freeze-dried aloe vera gel extract, may provide relief from CFS (Integr Phstol Behav Sci 1998;33:61-71).
Vitamin B12 levels are low in the cerebral spinal fluid of CFS sufferers (Scandinavian Journal of Rehumatology 1997;26:301-7).

Other nutritional supplements that may help CFS includes vitamin C and other antioxidants, magnesium, garlic, evening primrose oil, astragalus, Echinacea, ginkgo biloba, licorice root and St John's Wort.

Talk to your Chiropractor about CFS
www.Chiro4life.com.au is committed to offering all-natural, drug-free solutions to CFS. If you suffer from unrelenting fatigue, schedule a consultation, before turning to unproven drug therapies.
Tips presented by Dr. Warren Sipser of www.Chiro4life.com.au for Optimal Health University™.