Constantly Tired
By Maya Anderson
Chronic fatigue is a debilitating feature of illnesses but chronic fatigue syndrome itself is an illness and one that remains highly controversial. Sufferers are often labelled malingerers, while others think they are merely tired from lack of rest. But the major feature of the condition is continual, extreme fatigue that is not relieved with sleep. Other symptoms include sleep disorders, recurrent infection, forgetfulness, muscle soreness, joint pain, swollen lymph glands, confusion, depression and recurrent sore throat and headaches.
Coupled with the fact that many sufferers experience a lack of acceptance of their disease from their colleagues, family and friends, CFS can be severely life-changing, says Don Lewis, founder of the Chronic Fatigue Discovery program in Victoria.
“Not many die from it, although a number take their lives,” Dr Lewis said. “There is no cure for it. One may get better but the propensity for recurrence remains.”
However sufferers can feel in better health through the use of natural aids, says Natureco naturopath Samantha Warner. “Prolonged stress followed by viral infection, which switches off the cell ability to make energy, is best treated with nutrients and herbs for the immune and nervous system, such as vitamin C, zinc, astragalus, Echinacea, St John’s wort, licorice, Korean ginseng and antioxidants like Coenzyme Q10 and lipoic acid,” she said.
Because deficiencies of vitamin B, C and D were often causes of fatigue, taking these vitamins might help increase energy slightly, Ms Warner said.
The natural approach to the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome sometimes involved a long and gentle process to slowly reboost the immune system and purge the body of toxins.
Detoxifying could be aided with herbs which supported kidney and liver function, such as dandelion, milk thistle, lavender and ginseng. A healthcare professional should be consulted first.
Taking a multi-vitamin to supplement lost vitamins could also help. Because many sufferers experience muscle pain and stiffness, magnesium could improve muscle function and might help eliminate soreness.
Establishing a regular bedtime might be of benefit and gentle restorative exercise such as tai chi, swimming, walking and yoga was advised, even though many people may not feel like it. “However anything too vigorous can be counter-productive,” Ms Warner warned.
In some cases, acupuncture, chiropractic treatment, massage and meditation had proved helpful in managing the syndrome. She suggested sufferers could find a picture from when they felt fit and healthy and use it as a positive image for visualisation and gratitude for good health. “It is important to remain hopeful rather than hopeless and fearful,” she said.
And if you don’t have chronic fatigue syndrome, prevention is better than cure. “The factors that will contribute to the recurrence, or the onset, of the illness are infection, excessive physical activity and excessive mental activity,” Dr Lewis said. “Therefore, if you become unwell, allow your body to recover from it.”
Maya Anderson
Email: maya.anderson@hotmail.com