Chronic Fatigue. I had been a practicing chiropractor for only several years and could find no satisfactory explanation. I was studying at the time to complete a degree in naturopathy but no searching in my numerous books gave me any answers either. As I tried to treat the condition naturally by using herbs, whole foods, supplements and chiropractic, instead of getting better, she became increasingly symptomatic. Eventually a physician friend diagnosed her with CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue Immunodeficiency Syndrome) Well, having a diagnosis didn’t do a thing to help us resolve the problem, it only gave it a name that many physicians didn’t accept as an actual illness but that was becoming increasingly real to us! There were no answers in allopathic medicine and no ready solution in holistic medicine either.
Having a diagnosis didn’t do a thing to help us resolve the problem, it only gave it a name.
Advance that to today, 40 years later. The problem has been resolved but is still a controversial topic in healthcare today. The old diagnosis of CFIDS has been recently changed. In fact it has gone through several changes since those days. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis was used for a few years but was unsatisfactory to many physicians as it didn’t really describe the condition. Today we have been given a new name to label these patients with, “systemic exertion intolerance disease”, which better describes the condition but does no more to explain the why’s and the wherefores than the old original name.
The problem, in my opinion, is that there is no unique cause. It can be different for each person.
The new diagnostic criteria include six months of profound, unexplained fatigue and post exertional malaise, as well as a third key symptom: unrefreshing sleep. Patients must also exhibit cognitive problems or “orthostatic intolerance,” an inability to stand upright for more than a short period. But how do we treat it? Well, there are still many ideas circulating in the halls of health care facilities. Some are more effective than others. The problem, in my opinion, is that there is no unique cause. It can be different for each person. Therefore the treatment has to be just as individual. There are some common factors. But if you are looking for a “cookbook” approach, a simple recipe to solve the dilemma, you will be disappointed!
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