CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions. CFS may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Patients who suffer with CFS function at a significantly lower level of activity than before the onset of the illness.


Based on a 1999 study CFS is thought to affect approximately 4 out of 1,000 adults in the United States. CFS occurs more often in women than men, and in people in their 40s and 50s although the reasons for this are still unknown

The key defining characteristics reported by patients includes: weakness, muscle pain, impaired memory and/or mental concentration, insomnia, and post-exertional fatigue lasting more than 24 hours.

In some cases, CFS can persist for years.

Unfortunately the cause or causes of CFS have yet to be identified and there are no specific diagnostic tests are available.

The Center of Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) states that in order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome  a patient must satisfy two criteria:

1. Have severe chronic fatigue for at least 6 months or longer that is not relieved by rest and not due to medical or psychiatric conditions associated with fatigue as excluded by clinical diagnosis.

2. Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms:

• Self-reported impairment in short-term memory or concentration severe enough to cause substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social, or personal activities.
• Sore throat that's frequent or recurring
• Tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• Muscle pain
• Multi-joint pain without swelling or redness
• Headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Post-exertional malaise (extreme, prolonged exhaustion and sickness following physical or mental activity) lasting more than 24 hours

Living with chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult. As with any debilitating chronic illnesses, CFS can have a devastating impact on daily life, requiring patients to make significant lifestyle changes and adapt to a series of new limitations.

One key to managing CFS is working with health care professionals to create an individualized treatment program. This program should be based on a combination of therapies, for example traditional and alternative, which address symptoms, activity management and coping techniques.

Here is an example of some products Dr. Slagle recommends to her patients suffering from CFS:
 
Rule out food sensitivities, blood sugar instabilities, anemia, low thyroid & adrenal function, chronic candida, depression, & other causes when possible. See relevant books in book store. Chronic fatigue can often be related to various nutritional deficiencies as well. Avoid sugar, alcohol, caffeine. Limit carbohydrates & emphasize protein. Be aware that white pastas metabolize like sugar in your body. Rule out medication side effects.

• Select a basic Multi Vitamin Mineral
• Co Enzyme B Complex
• NADH - Use the sublingual form Chew 10-20 mg daily
• Ribose Muscle Edge® Dose 1 heaping tsp 3x daily
• E-Mergen-C-Lite or E-Mergen-C-Cranberry/Pomegranate or Buffered Vitamin C w/multi elements or Buffered Vitamin C Crystal
• Co-Enzyme B6 Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate
• Creatine Whey Glutamine Powder or Egg White Protein Powder
• Testomax - For men
• Methylcobalamin Sublingual B12 or Sublingual B12/Folic Acid or Vitamist B12 Oral Spray & separate Folic Acid
• L-Tyrosine
• L-Glutamine
• IsoCort or Adrenal Cortex Extract Sublingual
• Aminotate or Aminoplex
• Ferritin or Energizing Iron
• L-Carnitine or Actetyl L-Carnitine
• DMAE-Ginkgo or Ginkgo Biloba
• Similase
• Gero-Vita GH3 H3
• Chelated Calcium Magnesium Potassium EAP or C-V-F or Potassium Citrate
• Maximum Performance
• Co-Enzyme Q10
• Permeability Factors
• Meganephrine
• DHEA
• Thioctic(Alpha-Lipoic Acid)
• PS Caps or PS Plus
• Ginseng Elite or Adren-Plus
• CitriChrome or Chromium Picolinate
• RiSoTriene Complex
• Pro-Greens
• Katsu Kelp
• Thyrosine
• Thymic Protein A
• Mag-Tab or Liposome Magnesium ATP
• B-3 Caps Niacin
• Allithiamine or Vitamin B1
• DL-Phenylalanine or L-Phenylalanine
• Pro-DMG-B15 or Behavior Balance DMG
• Pro-hGH - For those over 50 years with fatigue
• Drainage Complex
• DNZ-2
• Pantethine or Pantothenic Acid