What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a condition of prolonged and severe tiredness or weariness (fatigue) that has been lasting for more than six months, restricts activity, is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other conditions.
- Severe tiredness or lack of energy that lasts for longer than 6 months, restricts activity and is not relieved by rest
- Feeling un-refreshed after an adequate amount of sleep
- Forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating or confusion
- Irritability
- Headaches that are different from previous headaches in quality, severity or pattern
- Joint pain, often moving from joint to joint, without swelling or redness
- Lymph node tenderness in the neck or armpit
- Mild fever (101° F or less)
- Muscle aches
- Muscle weakness (not linked to any other disorder)
- Sore throat
Viral infections (specifically Epstein-Barr, human herpes virus 6 and mouse leukemia viruses)
While no direct link has yet been found, many people develop CFS after a viral infection, leading researchers to wonder if it is related.
Immune disorders
CFS sufferers tend to have diminished immune systems, although nothing conclusive has been found.
Hormonal disorders
CFS patients are often found to have abnormal hormone levels, although the reason why is not yet known.
Conventional medicine offers no known cause or cure for CFS and therefore treats it by treating the individual symptoms with medication. Generally, doctors will prescribe antidepressants and sleeping pills, both of which have their own set of unpleasant side effects, including lack of sexual desire, weight gain, dizziness, fatigue or jitteriness and more.
At the Magaziner Center, we believe that suppressing the symptoms with medication is not good enough. As with most of our treatments, we start with an extremely thorough set of tests to determine exactly what is going on in the body to cause the condition. We can then treat accordingly using methods that are in harmony with the body.
We have successfully treated many patients who have been through the conventional treatment of symptom suppression via drugs and found no relief, as well as those who have opted to avoid it. Each patient is unique, with his/her own biochemistry and set of triggers causing their condition. We test for causes such as food allergy and intolerance, insufficiencies in nutrients, cellular imbalance, heavy metal toxicity, and more. We are then able to treat each trigger using methods such as nutritional supplementation, including intravenous supplements, and sublingual desensitization.
Sensitivities to food, molds, pollens or chemicals may play a significant role in chronic fatigue syndrome. We also place great emphasis on chronic infections, including Lyme disease and other tick borne organisms as well as thyroid and adrenal function. We have also found that immune dysregulation and heightened inflammation contribute to CFS. All of these factors may be evaluated in long-standing, complicated cases.
Each of these therapies aim to correct the imbalance or problem, rather than simply suppressing it. Our goal is not only to treat CFS, but to return our patients to optimal health, naturally putting an end to symptoms and helping them get back to their lives.
Why settle for a lifetime regimen of medication? There are options. There is help- and you’ve just found it.