Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Dr. Diane Mueller is a best selling author, national speaker and clinician. She has two clinics, one that focuses on helping those with complicated chronic disease find the root cause and the second focusing on libido, anti-aging and wellness.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is defined as symptoms of fatigue that last more than 6 months. Many people feel a sense of relief when they initially get this diagnosis because they get a sense that they have an answer. Unfortunately, this diagnosis is not an answer. A syndrome is a symptom or group of symptoms that are characterized by not knowing what is causing the symptoms.
Common Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
*Fatigue
*Sleep Issues
*Pain
*Brain Fog
*POTS (dizziness with postural changes)
*Other nervous system issues.
CFS is like a car with a constantly depleted battery. No matter how much rest the driver takes, the car still won't start, and the more the driver tries to push it, the faster the battery drains. Along with fatigue, CFS comes with other symptoms like a faulty GPS, causing problems with sleep, cognition, pain, and dizziness. This makes daily life a struggle for the driver, who can't complete even basic tasks like filling the gas tank or changing a tire. CFS can be a long-term condition, with some drivers unable to leave the garage for extended periods.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome has many causes that are often not spoken about. Commonly known causes include:
- Thyroid problems
- Adrenal problems
- Nutrient Deficiencies
- Dehydration
- Mitochondrial Issues
- Sleep Disturbances
But there are many reasons that chronic fatigue syndrome is not talked about as commonly. Often people try basic things (such as working with the above) and are still experiencing fatigue.
CFS affects people in different ways, and it can be caused by a variety of reasons, like a virus, bacteria, the environment, a malfunctioning immune system, or hormonal imbalances. For some, a viral infection was the trigger that started it all. This could be something like Epstein-Barr, Herpes, or one of many other viruses that can lead to CFS. Scientists believe that the illness may have both an autoimmune component and one related to the gut microbiome. Other hidden infections such as Lyme Disease and parasites can also be linked to chronic fatigue syndrome.
Testing for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, or CFS, presents a challenge in conventional medicine as there's no singular definition or diagnostic criteria. Unfortunately, there's also no diagnostic test, biomarker, or treatment available currently.
However, in the world of Functional Medicine, we delve deeper to uncover the root causes. We often search for undiagnosed chronic infections, as they can be a significant contributor to CFS. Other potential causes we consider include gut dysfunctions and infections, autoimmune triggers, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis imbalances, thyroid or hormonal imbalances, toxic burden, particularly from heavy metals, and nutrient deficiencies. So, while there is not a test specific to chronic fatigue syndrome, there are tests available for the cause of chronic fatigue.
Similarities in Symptoms Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection. Most people know it from ticks, but limited research shows that it also comes from mosquitos. While in the acute stage, it often feels like the flu, in the chronic stage, it can mimic CFS.
It's worth mentioning that chronic fatigue is a common symptom across both diseases. And those with Chronic Lyme Disease may also have more cognitive problems than those with just CFS.
There are a bunch of other symptoms that can come along with these conditions, like headaches, swollen lymph nodes, aches and pains, dizziness, and even just feeling completely wiped out after doing physical or mental activities.
It's a bummer, but both conditions can often be misdiagnosed too. So, it's important to be aware of the symptoms and keep an eye out for them.
A blood test, such as the Western Blot or PCR test, is the best way to determine if you have Lyme Disease, but it's important to have a Lyme-literate doctor interpret the results.
Don't let chronic fatigue symptoms take over your life. If left untreated, Lyme Disease, and other tick-borne illnesses, can worsen and become more difficult to treat. That's why it's crucial to see a doctor who can help you understand the results of the Western Blot test. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics or natural herbal approaches can make all the difference in your recovery.
Getting Help
At My Lyme Doc (mylymedoc.com), we help people get to the root cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. Lyme Disease is the cause in many individuals, and we test for that, but we test for all the root causes listed in this article. You are unique and the root causes that are causing your symptoms are also unique. For 99% of people, there is more than one cause creating their illness. We offer free health evaluation calls with a team member to help you ask questions to figure out if our approach is right for you! Book a call at mylymedoc.com/booking to get started!
Written by Dr. Diane Mueller ND, DAOM, LAc
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3520031/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31597359/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26082507/
https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-018-1644-y
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32248536/
https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-018-1644-y
