With chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), you feel so worn out that you are unable to do even half of your normal daily activities—and the feeling doesn’t go away. This syndrome affects twice as many women as men. It may last a month, a couple of years, or many years.

Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

- Severe fatigue that comes on suddenly, especially after you’ve had the flu
- Low-grade fever (100.4° Fahrenheit) and chills
- Sore throat and swollen glands
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headaches
- Feeling of being in a fog and unable to concentrate or remember

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ?

No one knows what causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but a virus may be responsible. Risk factors include extreme stress or anxiety, flu-like illness that doesn’t completely go away, and poor eating habits.

What to Expect at Your Provider’s Office

Your health care provider will go over your symptoms, check your medical history, and do a physical examination. He or she may use laboratory tests, such as a blood or urine test, to rule out other problems. If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome , your health care provider will prescribe drugs to treat your symptoms, or will suggest herbs, vitamins, or dietary changes to help you. Usually these treatments and time will be enough to cure the problem.

If the usual treatments do not work, your doctor may check for other conditions, such as a psychiatric illness, muscle disease, or exposure to a toxic agent, that can cause symptoms similar to those of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Treatment Options for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Treatment Plan for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a stressful disease to have. It is important to get emotional support as well as treatment for your symptoms. Treatment for symptoms includes antidepressants and drugs to boost your immune system. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve muscle and joint aches. Support groups and stress-management techniques can help you to cope with the disease.

Drug Therapies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Prescriptions for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

- Antidepressants—depending on type, in addition to relieving depression, they can reduce fatigue, muscle tension, or insomnia; various side effects
- Benzodiazepines—help reduce anxiety; various side effects
- Histamine blockers—block production of stomach acid, improving energy
- Nonsedating antihistamines—relieve allergy symptoms; side effects include drowsiness and headache
- Immune system boosters—to activate or enhance the immune system; some of these drugs are experimental

Over the Counter Drugs for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

- Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen—reduce pain; side effects may include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, and kidney damage

Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Following nutritional guidelines and using herbs and homeopathic remedies as recommended, may alleviate the debilitating symptoms of CFS and improve overall vitality. Counseling, support groups, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation are stress-management techniques that may help as well.

Nutrition for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Avoid refined foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, dairy products, and gluten-containing grains. Eat more fresh vegetables, legumes, whole grains (non-gluten), protein, and essential fatty acids (found in nuts, seeds, and cold-water fish).

The following supplements may help reduce symptoms of CFS.

- Beta carotene (50,000 IU per day) to strengthen immune function.
- Vitamin C (1,000 mg three to six times per day) to increase endurance.
- B complex (50 to 100 mg per day or 2 ml by injection one to two times per week) with additional B6 (100mg per day) and B5 (100 to 250 mg per day) to reduce the effects of stress.
- Pantothenic acid (4 to 7 mg per day).
- Magnesium aspartate (400 to 1,000 mg per day) to support energy production.
- L-carnitine (330 mg one to three times per day) to support energy production in the cells.

Herbal Remedies for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Herbs are generally a safe way to strengthen and tone the body’s symptoms. As with any therapy, it is important to work with your provider on getting your problem diagnosed before you start any treatment. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted.

A tincture of Siberian ginseng (Eleuthrococcus senticosus), schizandra berry (Schizandra chinensis), ashwaganda root (Withania somnifera), gotu kola (Centella asiatica), and astragalus root (Astragalus membranaceus). Take 20 to 30 drops two to three times per day. These are safe to take long-term and may need to be taken for four to six months for maximum benefit.

Herbs that support overall vitality and relieve exhaustion include licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra), lomatium root (Lomatium dissectum), skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lavender (Lavendula officinalis), and rosemary leaf (Rosemarinus officinalis). Take 20 to 30 drops two to three times per day. Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure.

Essential oils of jasmine, peppermint, and rosemary are calming and restorative and may be used in aromatherapy. Place several drops in a warm bath or atomizer, or on a cotton ball.

Homeopathy for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Homeopathy may be useful as a supportive therapy.

Acupuncture for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is related to deficiencies in multiple organ systems that can be addressed with acupuncture treatment.

Massage Therapy for CFS

Therapeutic massage can reduce stress-related symptoms, improve circulation, and increase your overall sense of well-being.

Following Up

Your health care provider will do routine checkups while you are taking the drugs or treatments he or she has prescribed. Contact him or her if new symptoms develop.

Special Considerations

The effects of herbs in pregnancy have not been fully investigated and they should be used only under the careful supervision of your health care provider. Avoid high doses of vitamin C if you are pregnant.

Supporting Research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Castro M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press; 1990.

Fukuda K, et al. The chronic fatigue syndrome: a comprehensive approach to its definition and study. Ann Intern Med. 1994;121:953–959.

Management of CFS: Pharmacologic therapy and nonpharmacologic therapy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cfs/mgmt1.htm on January 4, 1999.

Noble J, ed. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 2nd ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby-Year Book, Inc; 1996:918–922.

Scalzo R. Naturopathic Handbook of Herbal Formulas. Durango, Colo: 2nd ed. Kivaki Press; 1994:S/A18–S/A19.

Werbach M. Nutritional Influences on Illness. New Canaan, Conn: Keats Publishing; 1988:418–421.

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