Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS M.E

Is it all in the mind? Up to 80% of all people with chronic fatigue have a history of classic allergies.

CdFullWidthPlaceholder
In a review paper published a few years ago, the consensus of the Royal Colleges of Physicians, Psychiatrists and General Practitioners in the UK was that "chronic fatigue is a biological syndrome which is not currently fully understood and does not require treatment with mood altering medications e.g antidepressants. This view has also been supported by the National Institute on Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Is it all in the mind? Up to 80% of all people with chronic fatigue have a history of classic allergies i.e. allergy to dust mites, pollens, moulds and others. This suggests that fatigue is caused by a disorder of the immune system. Many have a history of asthma, eczema or recurrent infections during their childhood. A multitude of symptoms seems to involve several systems of the body including the brain i.e. low mood, anxiety, poor concentration, brain-fog; digestion such as heartburn, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea; aching muscles or joints, backaches, sprains, cramps; gynaecological i.e. heavy, painful, irregular cycles, menopausal symptoms and a host of others. Yet most hospital investigations or laboratory tests show no abnormality, thereby, enforcing the impression of a psychosomatic condition.

A consistent finding in people with chronic fatigue is the presence of features of dysfunction in the chemistry of their cells. During activity, lactic acid and pyruvic acid are produced by each cell; these are substances causing muscle cells to slow down until full recovery takes place when the cells dispose of these acids; in this way, cells recover fully and get ready for more action. Under normal circumstances, the full recovery occurs with rest or a good night's sleep; however, those affected with chronic fatigue show persistently increased levels of lactic acid and a prolonged delay to dispose of it; this finding might explain the continual tiredness even after brief physical or mental activity.

Since attending the Oxford Allergy Centre my life has been literally transformed. When I first attended the clinic I was allergic to virtually everything I ate, breathed and touched, was on an incredibly restricted diet, virtually emaciated and so ill I could barely move from the bed to the sofa.

The study of lactic acid in fatigued patients fits in well with the concept that chronic fatigue is not a psychosomatic condition, whereby the individual suffers with stress-related symptoms. This view is supported further with findings in several laboratory tests: (a) raised levels of extra-cellular DNA consistent with increased cell destruction, common in patients with degenerative diseases and cancer (b) reduced presence of oxygen in areas of the brain controlling the secretion and activity of vital hormones (c) the increased levels of some cell hormones (d) the misshapen appearance of red cells in electron microscopy (e) non-specific abnormalities in routine blood tests such as low white cell count or raised liver enzymes, to mention but a few.

Many patients have been fit, young people before the beginning of their disability and deny any stressful circumstances in their lives. Many have symptoms of impaired digestion.

So, what is causing such a derangement in the chemistry of the cells?

A host of medical conditions can cause fatigue, some as simple as iron deficiency or as severe as cancer or leukaemia. Detailed tests are important to rule out such conditions before the diagnosis of chronic fatigue is made.
Viruses or other infections: prolonged fatigue is known to follow glandular fever, poliomyelitis, influenza & coxackie viruses, Lyme disease and some local epidemics e.g. Lake Taho USA, Royal Free (Hospital) Disease and so on.
Abnormal intestinal fermentation due to the build-up of yeasts, a depletion of friendly bacteria, important to safeguard a healthy environment in the gut and the presence of amoebic parasites such as Dientamoeba Fragilis or Blastosystis Hominis.
Type-B food reactivity also known as delayed, masked allergy or food intolerance.
Adrenal stress and other hormone disturbances e.g underactive thyroid.
Prolonged stress or other life stressors such as major illnesses or surgery.
Several medications e.g. long term courses of antibiotics, oral steroids and female hormones.
Allergies to common natural inhalants such as dust mites, animal dander, pollens and moulds by virtue of their taxing effect on the immune system.
Chemical sensitivity, i.e. delayed reactivity to a range of common environmental chemicals such as hydrocarbons, organophosphates, volatile organic compounds and so on.
Deficiencies of important vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and other nutrients, whose presence is a priority for the smooth function and protection of the complex system of enzymes in each and every one of the body cells.

In day-to-day practice, a number of these factors can be relevant. Partial or complete reversal of chronic fatigue is possible when such factors are identified and are brought under control.

How can we help you?

Identifying the root cause.

We listen to you and try to understand the origins of your condition, often thinking outside the box.
From a detailed history we advise you on the most reliable and relevant tests to assess food intolerance, intestinal fermentation, inhalant allergies, defects of cell detoxification, chemical sensitivity, deficiencies of important nutrients and other issues (see Tests).
You are advised if any are available in the NHS.
We guide you and help you to structure an achievable action plan which aims to deal with all the key issues identified in the tests.
We recommend and, if needed, prescribe medications to treat any infections documented in the tests.
We suggest some top quality nutritional supplements to correct any deficiencies and maximise the function of cell chemistry.

Specialist tips and notes

If you have an inhalant allergy, try to get a break in the sun, especially near the sea as low humidity climates discourage many airborne allergens such as dust mites, moulds, pollens or chemicals. Without these allergens, the immune system feels off-loaded and seems to cope better. This is the main reason fatigued patients feel so much better while abroad but not while in the UK!
Get some exposure to sunlight, away from the hours when the sun is too strong. Apart from its effect in causing some pro-vitamins to be converted to their more active forms, sunlight seems to help important brain centres, such as the hypothalamus and the cortex. Investing in an artificial light source can also have some benefit.
If possible, take a brief rest after lunch. By making a partial recovery from the morning activity, you might have some energy left for the evening. Even though this might reduce the length of your night's sleep it will prevent you from running on adrenaline; the deep muscle relaxation produced by sleep assists the recovery of the muscle cells.
Keep those muscles supple. Stretching, gentle swimming or yoga will not tax your stamina and seems to help along with other measures. Most fatigued patients have very low effort tolerance and as a result heavy exercise can cause persistent exhaustion.
If you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) try to remove all sources of common chemicals from your home including perfumes, air-fresheners, hair-sprays, surface polishers, paints and so on. Even firmly closed containers allow a slow evaporation of their volatile contents also known as volatile organic compounds.