CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME effects as much as 7% of the population and is on the rise. Besides a debilitating, chronic exhaustion not relieved by rest, its symptoms can include sore throats, painful or swollen lymph nodes, muscle and joint pains, headaches, sleep disturbances, and impaired short-term memory and concentration. People with CFS report feeling sick all the time, have chronically swollen glands, and toss and turn all night, rarely getting a good night's sleep. Although they are enormously tired, they can look healthy and energetic, subjecting them to the further burden of not being believed.
CONVENTIONAL DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Originally, CFS was assumed to have a viral cause and was described as chronic Epstein-Barr-virus syndrome or chronic mononucleosis. Its designation was changed to "chronic fatigue syndrome" (CFS) or "chronic fatigue/immune depression syndrome" (CFIDS), when researchers concluded its cause was unknown. The invading viruses, originally thought to cause the disease, were merely taking advantage of an immune system weakened from some other cause. No conventional therapy has proven effective in controlled clinical trials with prolonged followup in curing CFS.
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HOMEOPATHIC APPROACHES: Some CFS cases have been linked to something in the patient history involving extreme stress (a car accident) combined with a period of antibiotic use. The result is an abnormal immune system response. According to homeopathic theory, the suppression of the immune system is often a direct result of antibiotic use. Homeopaths say the drugs don't actually kill all the bacteria, but merely push many invaders deeper into the system. Some of the virus and bacteria that may need to be eliminated homeopathically are Coxsackie, a virus that stays in the spine causing hip or spinal column pain. Brucella, a bacteria found in cattle causing muscle aches and pains, inflammation, aching joints, and swollen lymph glands. The pain of CFS is usually from this bacteria, unless the patient also has fibromyalgia. Peptostrep, a bacteria found in the sinuses, ears, and throat. Each course of antibiotics pushes the bacteria deeper into the sinuses and makes the next infection deeper and heavier). Mononucleosis, a bacterial infection in the histories of perhaps 60% of CFS patients. Giardia and other parasites contribute to the constant gas, bloating, and indigestion. Parasites can puncture the digestive tract, allowing macromolecules to slip undigested into the bloodstream, straining the immune system. Candida, one of the last deficiency states to be cleared for good, since until the immune system is working well, the yeast will come back. Also consider treating allergies to foods and chemicals, pneumonia, herpes, Lyme disease, dental or environmental toxins.
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