Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a complicated condition which is characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition and has persisted for at least 6 months.

 

Signs and symptoms associated with CFS include:

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• Extreme fatigue

• Not feeling ‘refreshed’ on waking after a decent night sleep

• Difficulties with memory, focus and concentration 

• Dizziness (which worsens upon movement)

• Headaches

• Extreme exhaustion after physical exertion 

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Muscle weakness and joint pain 

• Fibromyalgia diagnosis

• Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression 

• Allergies, chemical sensitivities and mast cell activation syndrome (MCS)

• Gastrointestinal upset and conditions

 

CFS is not currently well understood, it is complex and there are usually a combination of factors. There are suspicions that it is most likely linked to stealth pathogen infection due to insect-borne illness, mould exposure, environmental pollutants, hormonal imbalances  and immune dysregulation and other viruses.

 

Naturopathic considerations and investigations

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As CFS is complex, so too are the layers that need to be unravelled. There are many considerations and possible investigations that need to take place. This includes:

 

• Investigating your home, workplace and possibly means of travel to assess for possible mould exposure, indoor air quality/pollutants, electromagnetic fields and other toxicants

• Assessing and correcting nutritional deficiencies such as iron, B12 and vitamin D

• Investigating genetic mutations including HLA DR/DQ and MTHRF

• Investigating steal pathogens and infections such as epstein-barr virus, Borellia, Bartonella, Babesiosis (Piroplasmosis), Ehrlichia/Anaplasma, Rickettsia and Mycoplasma 

• Assessing (and supporting) liver function and detoxification pathways 

• Assess stressors such as exercise, inflammatory diets and work/life balance

• Assess hormonal imbalances such as cortisol, thyroid and insulin 

• Assess digestive health, leaky gut and gut microbiome (which all play a vital role with metabolising toxins, preventing infection/inflammation, immune regulation and the absorption and assimilation of nutrients)

• Support energy production, detoxification pathway, mood and the nervous system through careful prescription of nourishing herbs and an anti-inflammatory diet

• Integrating other professions to assist with psychological trauma associated with CFS

 

CFS is also closely associated with sick building syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS)