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Controlling the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is no longer

restricted to changes in lifestyle, medications and behavioral therapies.

There are in fact current treatment modalities that make use of

Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Since many conventional treatments do not guarantee absolute success,

alternative medicine, for most people, prove to be very attractive

treatment options. Below are some of the most common complementary and

alternative treatments used in relieving patients from the symptoms of

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Ginseng
In Asia, ginseng is a popular herbal treatment for fatigue as well as in

increasing energy which is basically what patients of CFS need. It turns

out, the claims around this ancient energy booster herb hold water even

when tested through contemporary research. Based on the study conducted by

the University of Iowa, ginseng is among the more reliable and effective

herbs for CFS. An independent study conducted in California further proved

that ginseng is a powerful herb for treating CFS.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH)
In a pioneering study conducted among chronic fatigue patients, it was

proven that Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, more commonly known as NADH,

helps in providing extra energy for CFS patients.

Carnitine
Carnitine, a substance found in almost all living cells, has the main

function of transporting fatty acids to the powerhouse or the mitochondria

of cells. This substance, in a way, is instrumental in the production of

cellular energy. Carnitine supplements are helpful to CFS patients since it

is found out that among these people, Carnitine levels are very low which

is linked to some types of pain, muscle fatigue and decreased tolerance to

physical exertion. Supplementation, therefore, can help fix low Carnitine

levels.

Carnitine supplements, in general, work well with patients of Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome. However high dosage of these supplements may lead to side

effects such as diarrhea, rashes, increased appetite and body odor.

Coenzyme Q10 or Co Q10
This is another compound that is found in the energy-producing organelle of

the cells- the mitochondria. It is known to play roles in the production of

ATP, a chemical compound which produces energy used during muscle

contraction.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
DHEA is a type of hormone that is released by the adrenal glands. Small

quantities of DHEA are also found in the testes and the ovaries where it is

converted into testosterone and estrogen. This hormone plays a great deal

in the regulation of sleep, moods and memory. Among patients of chronic

fatigue syndrome, this hormone is found in abnormally lower levels.

Supplements are therefore needed to normalize these levels. However there

are downsides to using DHEA supplements.

Since this hormone is converted into testosterone and estrogen, conditions

that are controlled by these hormones may be affected. It is therefore very

important that DHEA supplements are used only with doctor’s prescription

and supervision.

The substances discussed above are potentially helpful in relieving the

symptoms of CFS, especially fatigue. However, it should be remembered that

although these come from natural sources, the “natural” factor does not

guarantee that the substance is safe. These substances can potentially

interfere with other medications and may pose serious danger to the health

of individuals who are taking them without sufficient professional

assistance.

Having said that, there are other options that are outright safe such as

breathing therapy, relaxation therapies, movement therapies, acupuncture

and ayurdeva.

With no known definite cause, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a popular name

for a disorder or group of disorders with varying debilitating effects on

the individual which persist for at least 6 months. According to some

sources, the syndrome results from an infection. As of yet though, the

syndrome is not yet fully understood although it is quite a common

disorder.

Onset
The onset of CFS is usually characterized by sudden occurrence of symptoms

which are somewhat similar to the symptoms accompanying flu. It is believed

to begin with an infection caused by non-viral and viral pathogens which

trigger subsequent symptoms. In a smaller fraction of patients, the onset

begins after exposure to prolonged extreme levels of stress. Thus, it is

believed that CFS can begin either from high levels of stress or infection.

Current studies are focused on investigating on these causation models.

Causes
Although there are no definite causes to chronic fatigue syndrome, there

are however, known conditions that are closely related to the development

of the syndrome. They are as follows:

1. Chlamydia pneumoniae, a bacterium which causes pneumonia and related

illness.

2. EBV or Epstein-Barr virus which causes mononucleosis or the kissing

disease, a very common respiratory disease that has symptoms resembling

flu.

3. Onset of serious case of bronchitis and diarrhea.

4. Continuous subjection to stress, both physical and mental.

Symptoms
There are two criteria in determining the presence of Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome. They are as follows:

1. Unexplainable chronic fatigue is experienced for more than 6 months and

all other diseases and disorders that can lead to long term experience of

fatigue have been ruled out by your health care provider. This fatigue does

not root from physical exertion and cannot be relieved by rest.

2. The presence of four of the following symptoms: a) decreased cognitive

function or chronic impairment of short-term memory, b) fatigue that is not

relieved through rest, c) muscle pains or myalgia, d) severe headaches, e)

prolonged sickness and exhaustion, f) recurring and frequent sore throat,

g) joint pains without redness or inflammation, and f) abnormal lymph nodes

with notable tenderness.

Treatment Options
There are several ways of managing the disorder but there is no one

universal treatment option that is recommended for all patients. For some

patients, dietary changes, changes in lifestyle, use of pain killers,

physiotherapy, medications and Complementary and Alternative Medicine work.

The most common unconventional treatment modalities are CBT or Cognitive

Behavioral Therapy and Graded Exercise Therapy.

Prognosis
The average recovery rate of untreated patients is pegged at 5%. On the

other hand, those patients who have received a number of treatments are 40%

more likely to benefit from full recovery.

Occurrence
Due to the absence of concrete and definite parameters for identifying

people with CFS, it is quite hard to determine the exact number of people

who are affected by this disorder. Estimates range from 75-420 people in

every 100,000 people have this disorder. Women are more susceptible to

developing this disorder by 20% although there are strong indications that

this disparity is due to unreported cases among men.

The syndrome occurs across all ages but is more common among people aged 40

to 59 years old. It is found across genders and ethnic backgrounds. It is

also seen to run in the family.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, like all chronic illnesses, poses a host of

stresses that patients have to suffer from. Among the most common are the

loss of life roles, ongoing medical expenses, loss of job or source of

income, confusing symptoms, and constant medical check-ups with healthcare

professionals who sometimes do not fully understand the condition.

With these stresses, it is very important for patients to know how to cope.

Coping is integral to the management of the disorder and to some extent

recovery from the syndrome. Presented below are some coping techniques that

may not only help you deal with the disorder better but can also free you

from some of the discomforts it could give.

Establish a positive understanding of the disease. It is not only important

to know the nature of the fatigue and its accompanying symptoms but it is

also vital that the patient knows how to positively deal with them.

Establishing a positive concept regarding CFS is known to help patients

respond to the symptoms better and facilitate self-regulatory techniques

much more effectively. This is the crux of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a

psychological therapy that brings about relief from symptoms by way of

establishing a good outlook with respect to the condition.

Avoid excessive resting – It is natural to rest whenever one feels

extremely fatigued. However, the reverse is often the more effective

technique. Stop the urge of resting as this could debilitate your condition

further. Instead, try to incorporate minor activities into your daily life

which may include low levels of activities at first.

Then, progress to higher intensity activities, according to what level your

body can afford. Do not overexert yourself though as this can also have

damaging effects. When in doubt, consult your health care professional, he

can recommend therapy options like graded exercise therapy.

Manage your daily activities – Limit your activities according to a

well-defined plan. Most patients limit their activities according to the

particular activities they can perform in a day. This is counter-productive

and should not be done at all costs. The key is to have a consistent

pattern of activities that progresses according to the levels of difficulty

and required physical exertion. Try to attain a balance between stress,

physical exertion and rest.

Don’t focus on the symptoms – It is not uncommon for people to nurse the

symptoms of their disease. Despite the fact that this is not helpful,

patients still persist with this attitude. Among people who suffer from

chronic fatigue syndrome, nursing their pains and aches only lead to higher

sensitivities to both as well as to disengagement. Disengagement is an

attitude of surrendering in the face of inconvenient experiences

(stressors) when they seem too overwhelming.

Hence, disengagement is a poor coping mechanism. Patients of CFS are

advised not to give too much emphasis on the pains instead, they are

recommended to live with them and conquer the urge of giving up.

Avoid the pitfalls of coping – Most patients fail not because the treatment

and therapy they have undergone are not effective but because they try to

rush back to their lives prior to the onset of the condition. It is

important to understand that chronic fatigue syndrome is a disorder that

cannot be remedied immediately.

It takes time and patience to progress from one stage of the disorder to

another. Most patients who try to achieve immediate relief from symptoms

often find themselves rebounding to square one, that is to the stage where

the syndrome is most severe.