A Naturopathic Approach to Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
For millions of Americans, it is a daily struggle just to get out of bed in the morning, let alone summon up enough energy and drive to fulfill daily duties and responsibilities. At present, there is no effective treatment offered by conventional medicine for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). And while the individual root causes of chronic fatigue tend to vary, there are a number of holistic approaches that have helped many people with this condition regain healthy energy levels without the use of harsh stimulants.
One of the Most Common Questions Amongst Patients
Questions about fatigue are some of the most common that I hear from patients. We all become run-down now and then, due to the stresses of everyday life and the demands of our busy schedules. Over extended periods this can overburden our bodies, creating a situation from which it is not easy to bounce back.
Some of the main symptoms of CFS are:
- Impaired short-term memory of concentration which significantly affects normal activities
- Sore throat
- Tender lymph nodes in the neck or underarms
- Muscle pain
- Pain in multiple joints with no joint swelling or redness
- Headaches of a new type or severity
- Unrefreshing sleep
- General malaise following physical exertion that lasts more than 24 hours
Other common symptoms include:
- bloating
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Night sweats or chills
- Brain fogginess
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Visual disturbances
- Allergies or sensitivities to foods, alcohol, chemicals
- Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
- Jaw pain, or pain in eyes or mouth.
Managing and Treating Chronic Fatigue
A qualified naturopathic doctor can usually devise a protocol that will be effective in treating the symptoms, as well as creating health and well-being for the totality of the patient. The naturopathic physician will aim to address the underlying cause of chronic fatigue while treating the patient as a whole. Many chronic fatigue treatments involve some degree of lifestyle modification along with the implementation of naturopathic modalities.
Naturopathic treatment plans will differ from person to person. Prior to developing a treatment plan, a thorough examination of all aspects of the patient’s lifestyle that may be contributing to chronic fatigue should be completed. In conjunction with the examination, diagnostic tests are used to determine any other factors contributing to chronic fatigue syndrome. This includes diagnostic tests for blood, urine, and saliva to identify instances of infection, viruses, insulin resistance, nutritional deficiencies, impaired thyroid function, and auto-immune dysfunction.
- Natural remedies
- Adopting nutrient-rich eating habits
- Stress management techniques
- Exercise and physical therapy
- And other naturopathic modalities if appropriate
