What is Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome, CFIDS or CFS, is a serious and complex illness. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is associated with systemic and cognitive symptoms and with several immune abnormalities. It affects numerous body systems such as the central nervous system, endocrine, immune and gastrointestinal to name a few.
According to the CFS case definition published in the Dec. 15, 1994 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, diagnosing CFIDS requires a thorough medical history, physical and mental status examinations and laboratory tests to identify underlying or contributing conditions that require treatment. Chronic fatigue can be classified as Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome if the patient meets both the following criteria:
- Clinically evaluated, unexplained persistent or relapsing chronic fatigue that is of new or definite onset (i.e., not lifelong) is not the result of ongoing exertion, is not substantially alleviated by rest, and results in substantial reduction in previous levels of occupational, educational, social or personal activities.
- The concurrent occurrence of four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration; sore throat; tender lymph nodes; muscle pain; multi-joint pain without joint swelling or redness; headaches of a new type, pattern or severity; unrefreshing sleep; and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. These symptoms must have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and must not have pre-dated the fatigue.
Can it be treated?
Treatment for CFIDS is intended primarily to relieve specific symptoms. One third of the patients who develop CFIDS report resolution of symptoms over time. Another one third cycle between periods of good health and wellness and some gradually worsen. What is required is an integrative, step-wise approach. Each patient requires an individualized protocol.
Is CFIDS the same thing as Fibromyalgia?
No, but patients can have both simultaneously. They overlap and treatment is similar.
Briefly, how do you treat CFIDS?
With an integrated, step-wise approach to address:
- Remove food allergies treat it like
- Sleep disorder--if the body can get adequate sleep, it may improve pain issues
- Immune dysfunction/Infections checl for CMV, Herpes and Mycoplasma
- Endocrine disorders - thyroid, hGH, adrenal, sex hormonal imbalances
- Metabolic disturbances - blood volume depletion, mineral deficiency, especially magnesium, acid-base imbalance, DNA and mitochondrial damage, antioxidant depletion, mercury detoxification, brain protection and restoration, autonomic nervous system imbalance, oxygen transport difficulty, adrenal insufficiency and pain management.
Depending on the current status of a patient in the step-wise protocol, we can carefully progress through an individualized plan of treatment. As the body begins to repair itself and heal, the next step is implemented. This allows time to assess what is most beneficial in a partnership between physician and patient.