Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EBV)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EBV)

JoAnn Guest

Dec 29, 2004 16:26 PST

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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (EBV)

 

Researchers are only beginning to target possible causes of CFS.

Many suspect that it is caused by thyroid, adrenal, liver, or immune

system dysfunction. It is a poorly understood disease involving many

body systems. No single cause for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) has

been identified. Therefore, it is defined by symptoms and by ruling

out other known causes of fatigue.

 

Suggested causes include chronic viral infections, food allergy,

adrenal gland dysfunction, and many others. Another theory is that

CFS is caused by a virus

similar to the herpes virus, i.e. Epstein-Barr virus.

 

The current definition is disabling fatigue lasting more than six

months that reduces activity by more than half. When there is

extreme muscle soreness, fibromyalgia may be the actual problem.

 

Although CFS is considered a modern diagnosis, it may have existed

for centuries under other names, such as " the vapors, " neurasthenia,

" effort syndrome " (diagnosed in World War I veterans),

hypoglycemia,

and 'chronic 'mononucleosis.

 

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

 

In addition to fatigue, there may also be muscle pain, joint pain

not associated with redness or swelling, short-term memory loss, and

an inability to concentrate. Some people with chronic fatigue

syndrome also experience difficulty sleeping, swollen lymph nodes,

and/or mild fever.

 

How is it treated?

Since there is no definitive conventional therapy for CFS, doctors

use a combination of lifestyle changes, including aerobic exercise,

healthful diet and stress reduction.

 

Dietary changes that may be helpful:

 

Some believe that people with CFS who have low blood pressure should

not restrict their salt intake. Among CFS sufferers who have a form

of low blood pressure triggered by changes in position (orthostatic

hypotension), some have been reported

in a preliminary study to be helped by dietary intervention and the

addition of *sea* salt to their regimen.

http://dowsers.com/page47.html

 

People with CFS considering increasing salt intake should

have their blood pressure monitored before making such a change.

 

Nutritional supplements that may be helpful:

 

The combination of potassium aspartate and magnesium aspartate has

shown benefits for chronically fatigued people in double-blind trials.

Usually 1 gram of aspartates is taken twice per day, and

results have been reported within one to two weeks.

 

Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause fatigue.

 

Some reports even double-blind ones, have shown that people who are

not deficient in B12 have 'increased energy' following a series of

vitamin B12 injections.

 

In one preliminary trial, 2,500 to 5,000 mcg of vitamin B12 given by

injection every two to three days led to improvement in 50 to 80% of

a group of people with CFS;

most improvement appeared after several weeks of B12 shots.

 

Oral or sublingual B12 supplements are unlikely to obtain the same

results as injectable B12, because the body's ability to absorb

large amounts is relatively poor.

 

A preliminary trial has shown that people with CFS have reduced

*functional* B-vitamin status when compared to people without the

condition. The functional vitamin deficiency seen in this study was

most pronounced for vitamin B6.

 

L-carnitine is required for energy production in the powerhouses of

cells (the mitochondria).

There may be a problem in the " mitochondria " in people with CFS.

 

Deficiency of L-carnitine has been seen in some CFS sufferers. One

gram of carnitine taken three times daily for eight

weeks led to improvement in CFS symptoms in one preliminary trial.

 

NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) helps make ATP, the energy

source the body runs on.

 

In a double-blind trial, people with CFS received 10 mg of NADH or a

placebo each day for four weeks.

Of those receiving NADH, 31% reported improvements in fatigue,

decreases in other symptoms, and improved overall quality of life,

compared with only 8% of those in the placebo group.

 

 

Herbs that may be helpful:

 

Some research suggests that CFS may be partially due to low *adrenal*

function resulting from different " stressors " (e.g., mental stress,

physical stress, and even viral illness) and impacting the normal

" communication " between the

hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands.

 

Licorice root is known to " stimulate " the adrenal glands and to

block the breakdown of active cortisol in the body.

One case report described a man with CFS whose symptoms improved after

taking 2.5 grams of licorice root daily.

 

While there have been no controlled trials to test licorice in

patients with CFS, it may be worth a trial of six to eight weeks

using 2 to 3 grams of licorice root daily.

 

Other integrative approaches that may be helpful:

 

Diet can play an important role in CFS treatment. Patients often

discover that simply by modifying their diet, they can greatly

improve their CFS symptoms.

 

By choosing organically grown nutrient-rich foods which are easily

digested, CFS patients can begin to take control.

 

Good dietary choices include:

 

Organic vegetables, fruits, Legumes, lentils, dried beans, whole

organic grains, raw nuts, seeds and cold-water Fish such as Alaskan

Salmon and Sardines (water-packed).

 

CFS patients may also find that certain other foods *intensify*

their symptoms. *Processed* foods, refined oils and foods that require

more 'energy' to digest may 'increase' fatigue " symptoms " in CFS

patients.

 

Some foods that CFS patients may want to avoid include:

 

Dairy products, Red meats and poultry, Alcohol, Refined Sugar,

refined oils, fried food, and processed foods (margarines, snacks,

breads,and baked goods containing Hydrogenated fats and oils.

Caffeinated beverages, regular and diet sodas, coffee (both

caffeinated and decaf), and chocolate may be problematic as well.

 

The most debilitating symptom of CFS is a complete lack of energy.

Some herbs used for 'energy enhancement' include:

 

Fresh Ginger root

 

Coconut Milk

 

Licorice Root

 

Dandelion Root & Leaf

 

Alfalfa

 

Organic Blackstrap Molasses

 

Stinging Nettle tea (for iron)

 

Garlic Chives -Fresh garlic

 

Pineapple

 

In a study at the University of California Department of Medicine,

Echinacea, Olive leaf and Astragalus extracts enhanced cellular

immune function in both healthy individuals and patients with

depressed immune systems.

 

Herbs that are recognized for immune system 'enhancement' include:

 

Shitake Mushrooms

 

Fresh Garlic

 

Leeks, Onions, &

Scallions

 

Reishi Mushroom

 

Olive leaf extract

 

COq10

 

 

IMPORTANT SUPPLEMENTS:

 

Dietary supplements can provide great relief to individuals

suffering from CFS. In a study of fibromyalgia and CFS, patients

reported a " significant improvement " in symptoms after taking

nutritional supplements.Experts recommend the following nutritional

supplements for CFS patients.

 

Magnesium aspartate- is important for energy production, protein

formation, and cellular replication. Most Americans are deficient in

this mineral.

 

Iron deficiency can lead to chronic fatigue and anemia.

Spinach, kale, dandelion greens, beets, chives, dandelion greens,

asparagus and organic eggs are important food sources.

 

Vitamin B-complex consists of 11 B vitamins, including folic acid,

vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.

Vitamin B6 deficiency has been implicated in Epstein Barr, resulting in

fatigue and anemia.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is implicated in elevated *homocysteine*

levels. High levels of homocysteine are believed to contribute

blocked arteries leading to heart disease, the number one killer in

the U.S.

Elevated levels of *homocysteine* are characteristic of CFS patients.

Researchers have discovered that CFS patients have lower levels of B

vitamins than healthy patients.

 

Vitamin E--an important antioxidant, protects cells against damage

from toxins. It can enhance imune function and has antihistamine

properties.

 

Potassium deficiency has been linked to fatigue and muscle weakness.

Potassium may help restore energy levels in CFS patients.

 

*Pantothenic Acid*- helps your body 'make' its own *thyroid glandular*.

Organic Blackstrap molasses, Brewers Yeast, Coconut milk and fresh

Pineapple are rich in *Pantothenic Acid*.

 

Vitamin C-

is an important antioxidant known to support immune function. Under

stressful conditions, the body needs additional vitamin C to help the

immune system function normally.

Vitamin C promotes healthy *adrenal* function, which is especially

helpful for women who suffer from CFS and stress. In a study of 411

married couples, researchers found a clear

correlation between chronic fatigue and low levels of vitamin C.

 

 

Stress Reduction:

Most experts agree that *stress* plays a part in CFS.

Meditation induces relaxation.

Affirmative thoughts are beneficial.

Visualization may be combined with calming music to reduce stress

Focus on positive imagery.

Yoga can improve circulation and may increase energy

Massage can also improve circulation and reduce stress as well.

 

CFS Symptoms

 

For many people, CFS begins after a bout with a cold, bronchitis,

hepatitis, or an intestinal bug.

For some, it follows a bout of infectious mononucleosis, or mono,

which temporarily saps the energy of many teenagers and young

adults.

Often, people say that their illnesses started during a period of

high stress. In others, CFS develops more gradually, with no clear

illness or other event starting it.

Unlike flu symptoms, which usually go away in a few days or weeks,

CFS symptoms either hang on or come and go frequently for more than

six months.

 

CFS symptoms include:

Intense Headache

Tender lymph nodes

Fatigue and weakness

Muscle and joint aches

Inability to concentrate

 

 

What Causes CFS?

 

While no one knows what causes CFS, for more than a century, doctors

have reported seeing illnesses similar to it. In the l860s, Dr.

George Beard named the syndrome " neurasthenia " because he thought it

was a nervous disorder with weakness and fatigue.

 

Since then, health experts have suggested

other explanations for this baffling illness.

 

Iron-poor blood (anemia)

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Environmental allergy

A body wide yeast infection (candidiasis)

 

In the mid-1980s, the illness became labeled " chronic EBV " when

laboratory clues led scientists to wonder whether the Epstein-Barr

virus (EBV) might be causing this group of symptoms.

 

New evidence soon cast doubt on the theory that EBV could be the

only thing causing CFS.

High levels of EBV antibodies (disease-fighting proteins) have now

been found in some healthy people as well as in some people with

CFS. Likewise, some people who don't have EBV antibodies, and who

thus have never been infected with the virus, can show CFS symptoms.

 

How is CFS Diagnosed?

 

Doctors find it difficult to diagnose CFS because it has the same

symptoms as many other diseases. When talking with and examining

you, your doctor must first rule out diseases that look similar,

such as multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus in which

symptoms can take years to develop.

In follow-up visits, you and your doctor need to be alert to any new

cues or symptoms that might show that the problem is something other

than CFS.

When other diseases are ruled out and if your illness meets other

criteria as well, your doctor can diagnose you with CFS

(see The CFS Case Definition).

 

The CFS Case Definition

 

The EBV work sparked new interest in the syndrome among a small

group of medical researchers. They realized they needed a standard

way to describe CFS so that they could more easily compare research

results. In the late 1980s, CDC brought together a group of CFS experts

to tackle this problem.

Based on the best information available at the time, this group

published in the March 1988 issue of the scientific

journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, strict symptom and physical

criteria -- the first case definition -- by which scientists could

evaluate CFS study patients.

 

Not knowing the cause or a specific sign for the disease, the group

agreed to call the illness " chronic fatigue syndrome " after its

primary symptom. " Syndrome " means a group of symptoms that occur

together but can result from different causes.

 

(Today, CFS also is also known as:

 

" myalgic encephalomyelitis " ,

" postviral fatigue syndrome " ,

" chronic fatigue " or " immune dysfunction syndrome " .)

 

Prescription drugs, such as anti-hypertensives (blood-pressure

meds), birth control pills, or sedatives may 'trigger' chronic

fatigue.

 

How Can I Cope With and Manage the Illness?

There is no effective allopathic treatment for CFS. Even though there is

no specific treatment for CFS itself, you may

find it quite helpful to treat your own symptoms.

 

Learning how to manage your fatigue may help you improve the level

at which you can function and your quality of life despite your

symptoms.

 

A qualified naturopath can evaluate and teach you how to plan

activities to take advantage of times when you usually feel better.

 

Conclusion-

CFS seems to involve interactions between the immune and central

nervous systems, interactions about which scientists know relatively

little. Scientists' concerted efforts to penetrate the complex

nervous system and immune system events in CFS have created a

challenging

new concept of the pathology of this and other illnesses.

_______________

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--

This information is for informational purposes only. The results

reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of

the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or

over-the-counter medication is also available.

Consult your naturopathic doctor or practitioner for any health

problem and before using any supplements or before making any

changes in medications.

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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