Exploring Alternative Therapies for Managing Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Did you know that over 1 million Americans are suffering from this debilitating illness? My mom and sister are two of those who suffer from this illness. Chronic Fatigue is defined as a chronic illness that is characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for more than 6 months. If not treated, it decreases one's concentration, memory, and energy. Women are 2 to 4 times more likely to get it than men.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or CFS starts with symptoms like the flu. Other symptoms include:

- joint pain that moves from spot to spot

- muscle pain

- poor concentration

- loss of memory

- enlarged lymph nodes

- headaches

- chills

- night sweats

- digestive disorders, irritable bowels syndrome (IBS)

- mood swings

- panic attacks

- anxiety

- depression

- irritability

The sad thing about CFS is that no one knows the origin. Some researchers believe that CFS is linked to Celiac Disease, food allergies, oxidative stress, viruses like HHV-6, HTLV, Epstein-Barr, measles, parvovirus, cytomegalovirus, and coxsackie B.

Most doctors prescribe anti-depressants and sleeping pills for CFS. Some doctors believe a diet of foods rich in magnesium and potassium, vitamin B complex, acupuncture, meditation, and eliminating food allergens will be more effective than medication.

Four Steps to Overcoming CFS

Step 1: Increase Vitamin B intake

Vitamin B6 helps support a healthy immune system, and prevents, and relieves fatigue.

Vitamin B12 helps the methylation process which is the key to many CFS symptoms like low energy, depression, and poor memory.

B Complex works together to support vitality, hormone production, and healthy metabolic functioning.

Step 2: Increase Potassium and Magnesium Intake

Potassium helps prevent muscle cramps, fatigue, and irritability and is responsible for the balance in the body.

Magnesium reverses the deficiency but balances mood, and reduces pain, and energy levels.

Step 3: Eliminate Food Sensitivities and Allergens

One should take an IgG test which will let you know what foods to remove or allergens that could cause inflammation or reactions related to fatigue.

83% of the people who did an anti-candida diet felt a decline in their fatigue symptoms.

Step 4: Peace and Relax

Avoid stimulates like caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco as this can cause restlessness.

Do relaxation techniques like deep breathing, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, and muscle relaxing techniques.

Take a vacation to prevent burnout and to relieve stress with family, friends, or yourself.

Exercise

Rest at least once a week

Sleep, having a regular bedtime routine will help with fatigue.

Social Support, talk with your family, and friends to build a stronger relationship with them that will last a lifetime.

12 Things to Reduce Chronic Fatigue

1). Get rid of inflammatory foods like sugar, fried foods, and processed meat but add fish and olive

oil to your diet.

2). Stay hydrated because when you are dehydrated it can make your fatigue worse.

3). Keep a food journal to track your feelings and what you eat each day. This helps when you go to

the doctors.

4). Don’t cut out everything unless you talk to your doctor.

5). By experimenting with your diet, you will know what foods make you better and what makes it

worse.

6). Limit your caffeine intake.

7). Try smaller meals throughout the day.

8). Pay attention to your sugar intake. Eat berries with plain unsweetened yogurt instead of eating

food with refined sugar.

9). Eat more vegetables throughout the day.

10). Don’t eat processed foods.

11). Eat healthy fats.

12). Plan your meals ahead of time and make them when you can.

Five Foods to Avoid With CFS

1). Hydrogenated oils

2). White rice and pasta

3). fried foods

4). Added sugar

5). Caffeine

8 Home Remedies to Try

1). Valerian Root- take as a tea or supplement since it's considered to be a natural anti-depressant

2). Licorice Extract- considered to be anti-inflammatory, taken as a supplement or tea

3). Siberian Ginseng

4). Plant-based supplements

5). Ginkgo Biloba

6). Melatonin

7). Fatty Acids

8). Coenzyme Q10

My Mom’s Experience With CFS

All of my life, I remember my mother being tired. She would get up in the morning and be tired throughout the day and take naps in the afternoon. My mom was diagnosed with CF when she was 34 years old. She was diagnosed with CF just after getting over mono. The doctors never prescribed any medication for her. They did give her a paper stating what CF was like and a background of the syndrome. They just gave her that paper and told her nothing about what to do about it. Nowadays, there are things people with CF can do and take for it. Since I love to do research, I did some research on what my mom could do for it. The sad thing is that some doctors don’t believe in Chronic Fatigue. My mom has been fighting tiredness for years but it doesn’t stop her from living a full life. She just takes naps when she gets tired.