Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

Introduction

Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterised by a group of symptoms such as recurrent excessive fatigue, mild fever, swelling lymph nodes, occurring for at least 6 months.

The Symptoms

A person with ME may have most or all of the following symptoms:

• Recurrent fatigue.
• Prolonged fatigue after exercise.
• Sore throat.
• Anxiety.
• Low-grade fever.
• Tender or swelling lymph nodes.
• Headaches.
• Muscle and migratory joint pain.
• Intestinal discomfort.
• Emotional distress and or depression.
• Loss of concentration.
• Insomnia or desire for too much sleep.
• Sensitivity to bright light.
• Forgetfulness or memory impairment.
• Excessive irritability.
• Premenstrual tension.
• Visual blurring.
• Dizziness and nausea.
• Allergies.
• Stiffness.

Who is at Risk?

All adult age groups. ME is less common in children

The Causes and Associated Conditions

There are many different factors which contribute to the development chronic fatigue:

• Cancer.
• Diabetes.
• Lung disease.
• Anaemia.
• Liver disease.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Depressed immune system.
• Hypoglycaemia (a tendency to have very low blood sugar levels).
• Chronic stress.
• Adrenal exhaustion (fatigue).
• Inhalant or food allergies.
• Glandular under function such as in hypothyroidism.
• Leaky gut, bowel toxaemia, long term antibiotic use or candida infection.
• Poor liver and kidney function.
• Improper diet.
• Poor assimilation of food.
• Low natural detoxification capacity.
• Cardiovascular or other chronic diseases.
• Anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies.
• Viral infection.

Those with any of the symptoms or risk factors might like to consider visiting their doctor,

**Nutritional consultation, food allergy test.