Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome.
By Dr Vijay
Vaishnav
http://www.drvaishnav.com/What
is it? This is the current name for the syndrome
characterized by debilitating fatigue and a variety of associated
physical, constitutional, and psychological complaints. In the past,
persons labeled with varied diagnoses like neurasthenia, effort
syndrome, post-viral fatigue syndrome, epidemic neuromyasthenia, etc.,
probably had the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, as defined by the U. S.
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Who would
suffer from it? Women are twice as likely to suffer
from it as men are. The patients are usually in the age-group 25-45
years, though cases in childhood and middle age are described.What causes it?
There are numerous
theories and hypotheses about the cause of the syndrome. Viruses have been blamed since this syndrome
often follows a variety of acute infections. It is however unlikely that
they contribute to its long term features.Numerous subtle immunologic
disturbances
have been reported in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These are
not specific for this syndrome, nor do all the patients have these
findings. Recent controlled studies of patients have documented abnormalities
in endocrine function. These neuro-endocrine abnormalities
may contribute to the impaired energy and mood of the patients.Mild to moderate
depression is evident in two-thirds of patients. Thus, some believe that
chronic fatigue syndrome is a psychiatric disorder and that the various neuro-endocrine
and immune disturbances arise secondarily.What are the
symptoms? The
symptoms appear suddenly in a previously active individual. A flu-like
illness or an acute stress is often recalled as the triggering event.
This is followed by an unbearable exhaustion. Other symptoms such as
headache, sore throat, muscle and joint aches, tender lymph nodes and
feverishness, lead to the belief that an infection persists. Over
several weeks the other features of the syndrome become evident-
disturbed sleep, difficulty in concentration and depression.The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is more by exclusion
of other illnesses. A thorough history, a complete physical examination,
and judicious use of the laboratory will help to rule out other
illnesses. No laboratory test can diagnose or measure the severity of
this condition.Can Homeopathy
help? The
homeopathic system believes in treating the patient who has the disease
and not the disease in the patient. Hence, it is more likely to help
such cases. The constitutional remedy selected on the basis of a
detailed history and examination would bring the patient back to normal
activity. Apart from the deep acting constitutional remedies like Phosphorus, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla,
Nux vomica and Sepia, the
other remedies that may help in tackling the fatigue are:Kali phos:
This is the chief Biochemic
“nerve salt,” and is found in the brain cells and nerve
fluids, and the intercellular fluids. It is useful for patients with
despondency, anxiety, fearfulness, weak memory, mental decay, mental and
physical breakdown, neurasthenia, hypochondriasis, hysteria, insomnia,
night terrors, irritability, insanity and paralysis. This salt has
proved curative in nervousness, neurasthenia, anxiety, depression,
brain-fag, loss of memory, sleeplessness, delirium tremens, horrors,
dread, epileptic fits, and exhaustion.Phosphoric acid: This
remedy is to nervous debility what iron is to anemia, and it corresponds
to that debility arising from continued grief, over- exertion of the
mind, sexual excesses or any nervous strain on the body or mind.
Indifference, apathy, and torpidity of body and mind characterize the
remedy. There is burning in the spine and limbs and the patient is
inclined to be drowsy and listless. Any attempt to study causes
heaviness in the head and limbs. It suits also young, rapidly growing
people, and especially cases of nervous depression from spermatorrhoea.Gelsemium: A
mainstay in this disease. Stupid, dull, unable to concentrate mind;
vertigo, dull ache at base of brain. Lacks self-confidence. Sudden
emotions bring on diarrhoea or indigestion.Picric acid: Corresponds
well to the brain fag of businessmen who become depressed and wearied
from slight fatigue. It is a mental inactivity, with a desire to lie
down and rest. The great characteristic is that slight exertion brings
on exhaustion and headache, incapacitating for work, and extinguishes
that quality which we call grit. Even the slightest mental exertion
causes heavy feelings and a sensation of heat. The headache may be
frontal or occipital and extended down the spine, in fact, the head
symptoms seems to be concentrated in the occiput. Sexual irritability
may be a prominent symptom. In the morning there is a tired aching in
the lumbar region, the legs are heavy and weak with the soreness of the
muscles and joints.Avena sativa: Has
a selective action on brain and nervous system, favorably influencing
their nutritive function. Weakness of nerves, tired brain, irritability,
gets excited at least thing. Urine has excess of phosphates, history of
sexual excesses and occipital headache. Best tonic for debility after
exhausting diseases. Nerve tremors of the aged. Sleeplessness in
alcoholics. This remedy will calm and strengthen the nerves.Note: A detailed history followed by
constitutional treatment by a good and qualified homoeopath is necessary
to treat the complaints that appear during any disease. It is not
advisable to resort to self-medication for any disease. The above
mentioned drugs are just a few of the remedies and are mentioned solely
to create awareness about the efficacy of homeopathic medicines in
chronic fatigue syndrome.
Dr.
Vijay & Daxa Vaishnav 4 Indra
Dhanush North Avenue, Santa Cruz (West) Mumbai,
400054
Copyright © Dr. Vijay & Daxa Vaishnav 2000