Did you know that approximately 30% of the population suffers severe fatigue that has lasted at least one month? A significant number of these display the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), yet very few of these have been correctly diagnosed.
Here’s another stat that may surprise you. The average weight gain in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is 32 pounds!
It’s not surprising that CFS is common, given our high-stress lifestyles, often accompanied by nutritional deficiencies. Injury, infections and auto-immune diseases can also be triggers.
If you’ve been exhausted and struggling to get a good night’s sleep, you may find that treatment can help you recover.
Let’s look at the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, according to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, who is an expert who trains health practitioners in dealing with CFS.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- infections
- stress
- hormonal deficiencies
- food sensitivities
- toxins
- nutritional deficiencies / faulty digestion
- disrupted sleep
- genetic issues
I’m sure you recognize that many of these can be present in everyday life here in Hong Kong. Living in a big city with a fast-paced lifestyle sets us up for exposure to many of these factors. That doesn’t mean you will develop CFS, but it makes sense to take steps to support your health.
If you think you may be experiencing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, please call (+852) 2523 8044 to book an appointment and we’ll figure it out together. We run an integrative clinic, so there are a number of therapies available that can help, depending on your specific symptoms and situation.
These are the most common symptoms of CFS:
Symptoms of CFS
- insomnia
- muscle and joint aches
- allergies
- inability to concentrate (brain fog)
- chronic sinusitis
- spastic colon
- frequent infections
- weight gain
- decreased sex drive
Treatment For CFS
Treatment can depend on causes and co-existing conditions/medications, but some common helpful steps are to increase water intake and decrease sugar consumption. There is, however, a special type of sugar called D-Ribose which can be very helpful for some people, taken along with other nutritional supplements.
If your blood pressure is low, adding more sea salt to your diet can be helpful, as can reducing carb consumption and increasing protein intake. Come in and talk to me and we’ll figure out a personalized approach to improving your energy levels and enjoyment of life. Nobody should have to suffer with ongoing and long-term Chronic Fatigue when there are effective treatments.
Fatigue can have a heavy impact on your quality of life: your career, your income, your relationships with your significant others. If you feel your fatigue is more severe than normal, and has been going on too long, it’s time to consider treatment to get your vitality back! You may not have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome… or you may, but either way there is help available.
