Qigong (pronounced in English as “chee-gong”) is similar to yoga in that it combines regulation of the body, mind, and breath through gentle exercise and meditation. In addition to decreasing fatigue, the study showed that qigong also led to significant improvements in validated measures of mental and physical health and spiritual well-being.

In the randomized trial, 154 patients aged 18-55 years who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of chronic fatigue syndrome (unexplained chronic fatigue of at least six months duration plus multiple other chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms) were randomized to two groups. One group participated in qigong sessions twice weekly for five weeks, with each session lasting 2 hours, along with a recommended 15-30 minutes per day of practice at home, while the control group was assigned to a wait-list.

The qigong movements consisted of 10 forms which were typically performed in the morning as well as a meditation, which simply focused on diaphragmatic breathing and was done at night before going to sleep.

Reduction in Total Fatigue Score of 39 Percent!

Subjects in the qigong group demonstrated a 39 percent reduction in their total fatigue score. Practicing qigong for at least 30 minutes on at least three days per week produced better outcomes—nearly twice as great an improvement. The more it was practiced, the study found, the better qigong lessened fatigue.

The researchers also tested some of the participants’ blood for signs of anti-aging and longevity effects of qigong. In the group practicing qigong, they found a statistically significant increase in telomerase, a cellular enzyme that protects cells’ DNA and allows for “reconstruction” of the cell’s telomeres, thus prolonging cell life. Levels of telomerase are used as an indicator of cellular aging and have been shown to be lower in individuals with high levels of life stress. Meditation has been shown in previous studies to increase telomerase.

Why Qiqong is Gaining Popularity

For many people in the U.S., qigong seems quite mysterious and hard to comprehend how it could possibly reduce chronic fatigue symptoms. After all, it is a very slow, very gentle motion; and in the West we’re taught you have to break a sweat and push the limits. But according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it works by making sure that there is no stagnation (blockage) anywhere along your body’s channels (meridians); Qigong gets the energy flowing with no obstruction. But for many in the U.S., especially seniors, the slow gentle motion is the very appeal of this therapy. Anyone can practice it, and it can be done at home without expensive equipment or clothing. With this new research coming out, there will certainly be plenty more practicing this therapy either at home or in exercise groups at the local recreation center. Qigong Institute is a good education and research resource on this emerging therapy.

This article was originally published in 2012. It is regularly updated. 

[1] Chan JS. Effects of Qigong exercise and its dose-response relationship in reducing fatigue for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A randomized waitlist-controlled trial. Presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting & Scientific Sessions of the Society of Behavioral Medicine. 2012 April 14. http://www.sbm.org/UserFiles/file/PaperSession34Effects.pdf.

[2] Ho RT, Chan JS, Wang CW, et al. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Qigong Exercise on Fatigue Symptoms, Functioning, and Telomerase Activity in Persons with Chronic Fatigue or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Ann Behav Med. 2012 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 22736201.

[3] Epel ES, Lin J, Dhabhar FS, et al. Dynamics of telomerase activity in response to acute psychological stress. Brain Behav Immun. 2010 May;24(4):531-9.

[4] Jacobs TL, Epel ES, Lin J, et al. Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2011 Jun;36(5):664-81.

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Considering the results from a blood test in combination with a patient’s history, symptoms, blood pressure readings, pulse, temperature, and other tests and procedures can help a doctor to determine the cause of his or her discomfort. Usually conducted by drawing blood from a vein in the arm, certain blood tests (e.g., blood glucose) can be conducted through a finger prick test.

When Will You Need a Blood Test?

Ever had a physical? If not, what are you waiting for? Seriously. You should have one every year to make sure your body is in tip-top condition. If you have had a physical, then you know to expect a blood test a few days prior to seeing the doctor.

These routine blood tests help the doctor to measure things such as your cholesterol, thyroid function and vitamin levels. They’re the key to determining and improving your overall health. The earlier you know that something is out of whack, the better able you’ll be to take action to prevent a more serious illness.

Your physical isn’t the only time you’ll need a blood test. Your doctor may also order a blood test if you’re pregnant or trying to have a baby, have a family history of illnesses such as cancer and cardiovascular disease, or are experiencing various unexplained symptoms. A blood test is your first step in ruling out more severe illnesses before having to undergo more serious tests or procedures.

What are the Different Types of Blood Tests?

As we mentioned earlier, there are a slew of blood tests that can help determine how your body is working. The most common include:

1. Complete blood count (CBC): The most popular type of blood test, a CBC test is routinely ordered by a doctor as part of your annual physical. In addition to testing for infections, blood cancer, anemia, clotting problems, diabetes (e.g., glucose levels), kidney, thyroid, and liver function, a CBC test can also assess other conditions, including how well your immune system is functioning. CBC tests monitor a person’s red and white blood cells, platelets, and iron.
2. Blood chemistry: Also known as your basic metabolic panel, this group of tests measures the chemicals in your blood. They are useful at telling doctors more about the muscles, bones, kidneys, liver, and other organs. They also test for blood glucose, minerals such as calcium, and your electrolyte levels. Unlike a CBC test, blood chemistry tests are often conducted on the plasma, not the whole blood. These blood tests may require you to fast beforehand.
3. Blood clotting: Certain people suffer from disorders that affect their blood’s ability to clot. The result: a risk of bleeding or clot development in blood vessels. Those who take medications to lower the risk of blood clotting (e.g., Warfarin and Heparin) should have a blood clotting test.
4. Blood enzyme: Enzymes are chemical proteins that help regulate certain reactions (e.g., blood clotting) throughout the body. Enzymes are also responsible for your body’s ability to break down food. Enzymes are released into the blood as a result of tissue damage (e.g., after a heart attack). Blood enzyme tests measure these levels to check for certain diseases like cancer. Blood enzyme tests are commonly conducted to test for a heart attack. Regularly tested enzymes include: CPK isoenzymes (these exist in muscles of the heart, brain, and skeleton) and liver enzymes. Fasting is not usually required for this type of test. (See also the National Institutes of Health’s post on albumin blood tests.)
5. Heart disease risk: Lipoproteins, a.k.a. lipids, are made of protein and fat and they’re responsible for carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream. A blood test of lipoproteins can determine a person’s levels of LDL (bad) and HDL (good) cholesterol and triglycerides, all of which are markers of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Those who have a strong family history of coronary artery disease should have a blood test to assess their heart disease risk.

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The new findings prompted—as CBS News put it—a “rebranding [of] chronic fatigue syndrome.” Treatment options, as a result, could become increasingly clear and, researchers hope, effective.

Thus far, CFS has been frustratingly difficult to diagnose. At worst, CFS can become incapacitating for those who experience it. What does it feel like? A New York man in his 40s who developed CFS in 2009 described it like this for CBS News: “…It’s like the worst type of fatigue you could ever feel. If you’re holding up a cellphone, your arm feels like you’ve been using weights for hours, even though you’ve only been holding it for five minutes.”

The condition affects between 836,000 and 2.5 million people in the United States alone, according to the Institute of Medicine (other sources put the estimate as high as 4 million). CFS tends to hit people in their 40s and 50s; women are more susceptible than men.

And it’s not a cheap ordeal. According to the Institute of Medicine report, the direct and indirect economic costs of chronic fatigue syndrome range between $17 billion to $24 billion annually ($9.1 billion of which is attributed to lost household and job productivity).

The Columbia University Study

One breakthrough CFS study appeared in the Feb. 27, 2015 issue of Science Advances. The report indicated chronic fatigue syndrome may be the result of a malfunctioning immune system. According to the research, the immune systems of chronic fatigue syndrome patients appear to be unable to control the response to an infection that has passed.

Instead, according to Dr. Mady Hornig, lead author of the study, the immune system produces large amounts of cytokins. Cytokins are chemical “messengers” that coordinate the response of the immune system’s cell types. Hornig is the director of Translational Research at the Jerome L. and Dawn Greene Infectious Disease Laboratory at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City.

The immune system of CFS patients “is no longer resilient and able to bounce back after this cytokine surge,” wrote Hornig, “We need the system to be regulated, so it shuts off after the disease is gone, and that isn’t happening here.”

Because of the research, physicians now can look for increased levels of cytokins in the blood of patients who might have chronic fatigue syndrome, potentially aiding in their diagnosis, Hornig said. As a result, she added, “we may be able to reduce the time it takes to get a diagnosis and reduce the time it takes to get treatment.”

The Institute of Medicine Study

The Translational Research study came on the heels of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, which in January 2015 summed up chronic fatigue syndrome as a “legitimate illness”—rather than an emotional problem—that should be treated by doctors as a disease. The IOM committee, an independent panel of experts assembled by the U.S. government, wants to give chronic fatigue syndrome a new name, in order to better describe it: “systemic exertion intolerance disease.”

The IOM panel also provided a list of five chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms that define the illness. The first three are “core symptoms”:

• Impaired ability to engage in pre-illness levels of activities that persists for more than six months and is accompanied by often-profound fatigue.
• A worsening of these symptoms after any type of exertion, including physical or mental exercises or emotional stress.
• Sleep that does not alleviate fatigue.

A patient with those three symptoms plus one of the following two would be diagnosed with CFS:

• Impaired ability to think.
• The inability to remain upright, with symptoms that improve when lying down.

The IOM also noted that a diagnosis depends on the persistence of these symptoms (six months or more) as well as its severity (the patient should experience them in moderate to severe intensity at least half the time).

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Treatment and Management

Despite the findings presented by these and other studies, there is still no definitive lab test or biomarker that identifies chronic fatigue syndrome. Complicating CFS diagnosis is the fact that its symptoms can be common to other illnesses. Furthermore, CFS tends to have a pattern of remission and relapse, making it still harder to diagnose.

Even so, experts maintain that any chronic fatigue syndrome treatment strategy should first address the illness’s most disruptive symptoms. Typically, that means tackling the following issues.

Sleep problems: Poor sleep is a symptom—and maybe a cause as well—of chronic fatigue syndrome. Most CFS patients have some form of sleep dysfunction, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), whether it’s difficulty falling asleep every night, hypersomnia (extreme sleepiness), frequent awakening, intense and vivid dreaming, restless legs, and nocturnal myoclonus (night-time muscular spasm). Adopting positive sleep habits is key to resolving these symptoms. The CDC says patients should try these eight techniques:

1. Establish a regular bedtime routine.
2. Avoid napping during the day.
3. Incorporate an extended wind-down period.
4. Use the bed only for sleep and sex.
5. Schedule regular sleep and wake times.
6. Control noise, light, and temperature.
7. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco.
8. Try light exercise and stretching earlier in the day, at least four hours before bedtime, because this may also improve sleep.

If those steps aren’t effective, your physician may recommend sleep medications—initially simple antihistamines or over-the-counter sleep products. The next step, if needed, might involve a prescription sleep medicine in the smallest possible dose and briefest period possible.

Pain: Deep pain in joints and muscles as well as headaches can affect CFS patients. Such pain-reliever medication as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen may help, but if they’re ineffective, your physician may refer you to a pain specialist for additional therapy.

“Pain management should also include stretching and movement therapies, gentle massage, heat, toning exercises, hydrotherapy (water therapy for healing), and relaxation techniques,” according to the CDC. “Acupuncture, when administered by a qualified practitioner who is knowledgeable about CFS, may be effective in relieving pain for some patients.”

Memory and concentration problems: CFS patients often report an inability to concentrate along with cognitive issues. Meditation exercises and therapy can help, as well as organizers, schedulers, and written reminders. Stimulating the mind with word games, puzzles, cards, and other activities that require focus also may help.

As for medications, the CDC warns that “health care professionals should use caution in prescribing stimulants for cognitive problems. Mild stimulants may be helpful for some patients, but stronger stimulants can lead to the push-crash cycle—do too much, crash, rest, start to feel a little better, do too much once again, and so on—and cause relapse.”

Depression and anxiety: A debilitating illness may cause depression in chronic fatigue syndrome patients, and while it can and should be treated, it won’t cure CFS. Antidepressant drugs should be prescribed with caution; some types can exacerbate CFS symptoms and produce side effects. There are brief psychiatric screening tools available that can be given and scored in the primary care setting, such as the Beck Depression Inventory. Results of these screening tools may point to a possible underlying depression or other psychological disorder that may warrant a referral to a mental health professional.

Deep breathing, muscle relaxation techniques, massage and healing touch, and movement therapies (tai chi, yoga, or even stretching) can be beneficial for some CFS patients in relieving stress anxiety. (See also our post “How to Stop Depression: What’s Good for the Body…“)

Dizziness and lightheadedness: Some CFS patients also experience what’s called orthostatic instability—a condition by which symptoms, particularly frequent dizziness and light-headedness, are triggered or made worse when a person stands upright. If your physician deems symptoms severe enough to require further analysis, he or she may refer you to a cardiologist or neurologist. Treatments for orthostatic problems include volume expansion for CFS patients who do not have blood vessel or heart disease. If symptoms do not improve with increased fluid and salt intake, prescription medications and support stockings can be prescribed.

Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment, of course, must be tailored to each individual patient’s symptoms. Patients respond differently to various treatment strategies, which is why participation is key: The more involved the patient becomes in his or her treatment, the better chance he or she has to overcome the disease.

Originally published in May 2016 and updated.

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Fatigue- If you have been feeling much more tired and worn out than usual, and have a lower capacity for physical or mental work than you usually do, you have fatigue. Fatigue is a normal, protective mechanism in healthy individuals. It is usually linked to a single cause, and is often relieved by rest or lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, stress management).

Chronic Fatigue- Although there is no agreed-upon definition of chronic fatigue, it is sometimes defined as severe fatigue of at least 6 months’ duration which is not helped by rest and interferes with relationships, work, or other activities. Chronic fatigue is abnormal and disrupts healthy physical and mental function.

The majority of people visiting their primary care provider who have been suffering with fatigue for more than six months do not meet criteria for CFS, but still have fatigue bad enough to significantly impact their health. In fact, studies have shown that even if you don’t meet the strict definition of CFS you are frequently just as ill and
impaired._[2,3] In other words, both chronic fatigue and CFS can be debilitating and with either of them you may experience significant overall levels of “sickness” and impairment._[4]

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms- CFS is characterized by unexplained fatigue that lasts for at least 6 months accompanied by symptoms including headaches, unrefreshing sleep, muscle pain and difficulties with brain functions such as memory and concentration.

CDC Definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

In order to be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria:

1. Have severe chronic fatigue for at least six months or longer with other known medical conditions (whose manifestation includes fatigue) excluded by clinical diagnosis; and

2. Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms:

• fatigue following physical exertion
• impaired memory or concentration
• unrefreshing sleep
• muscle pain
• multi-joint pain without redness or swelling
• tender cervical or axillary lymph nodes
• sore throat
• headache

To discover if you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms, print out this article and circle the descriptions below that apply to you.  Take this list to a qualified integrative physician to sort through the various fatigue causes and develop a chronic fatigue syndrome treatment plan to help you regain your health and vitality.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

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The definition for CFS, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): “A debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity.”

What causes chronic fatigue symptoms? The exact answer is unknown, and there’s actually no specific test for diagnosis. Researchers, however, have discovered in people with CFS a number of commonalities—abnormalities in the brain, peripheral nervous system, and immune system as well as a lower metabolism.

10 Common Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

According to the CDC, various symptoms characterize chronic fatigue, and they affect several body systems. The overriding symptom: severe and debilitating fatigue that may last for six months or more and persist even with rest. If that describes you, plus you have four of the following symptoms for a prolonged period, you may be dealing with CFS:

1. Brain fog (feeling mentally foggy)
2. Extreme exhaustion after physical activity or mental exertion
3. Headaches that are different from those you’ve experienced in the past
4. Impaired memory and/or mental concentration
5. Insomnia and related sleep problems
6. Joint pain (affecting several joints)
7. Muscle pain
8. Sore throat
9. Tender lymph nodes in the neck
10. Tender lymph nodes in the armpits

Other chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms may include allergies or sensitivities to foods, odors, chemicals, medications, or even noise; chills and night sweats; difficulty maintaining an upright position (dizziness, balance problems, fainting); or irritable bowel. CFS patients also have reported chills and night sweats; depression and/or anxiety with mood swings; irritability; panic attacks; and visual disturbances, among them blurring, eye pain, and sensitivity to light).

While some people can remain fairly active in their daily lives even with CFS, most patients find their work, school, and family activities severely challenged for long periods. According to the CDC, studies have shown that chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms can be as “disabling as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, end-stage renal disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and similar chronic conditions.”

Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Making diagnosis difficult is the fact that CFS can come and go in somewhat cyclical patterns. A patient may overcome CFS and enjoy periods of normalcy and even have symptoms go into complete remission—and then regress and fall back into periods where severe symptoms return.

Further, your healthcare provider typically can diagnosis CFS only if you don’t have another active condition that may be coming into play, whether it’s anemia, cancer, fibromyalgia, or MS or such issues as depression, drug or alcohol abuse, or dementia.

Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms is tricky; there is no cure, and no prescriptions drugs have been developed to correct CFS. As a result, health care providers typically set out to help you manage the condition and eliminate or lessen symptoms.

For related reading, please visit “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment: Hope Lies Ahead.”

This article was originally published in 2016 and is regularly updated.

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While some studies have found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms tend to have higher blood levels of certain markers, such as blood markers for inflammation, oxidative stress, or previous infections, none of these markers are unique to CFS or can be used to diagnose it. However, in a preliminary study, a team of investigators from Ohio State University and Oakland University School of Medicine have discovered a potential method to diagnose CFS using a blood test.

The test looks for the presence of specific antibodies linked to the reactivation of latent Epstein-Barr virus. Epstein-Barr is a member of the herpes virus family and one of the most common human viruses. In the United States, as many as 95% of adults between 35 and 40 years of age have been infected with Epstein-Barr, which causes infectious mononucleosis in 35% to 50% of those

exposed.

No Clear Connections Between Epstein-Barr and CFS Until Now

In some people, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms begin with a flu-like infection. Viruses like Epstein-Barr have therefore been studied as possible causes of CFS since the mid 1980’s. But the role of Epstein-Barr and other viruses in CFS remains controversial. Although it’s well-documented that small group of people with CFS experience an episode of infectious mononucleosis before the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms, researchers have not been able to make any clear connections between Epstein-Barr infection and development of CFS.

In everyone, the Epstein-Barr virus remains dormant or latent in a few cells in the throat and blood as well as in some cells of the body’s immune system for life. And it is not uncommon for dormant Epstein-Barr to be reactivated, meaning it starts to replicate again, without causing symptoms of illness.

A few early studies looked into the potential connection between Epstein-Barr and CFS and reported slightly higher levels of standard antibodies to EBV in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms compared with healthy individuals. However, over the years it’s become obvious that just because some patients with CFS have higher-than-normal levels of standard antibodies to Epstein-Barr in their blood doesn’t mean this virus is the cause of CFS. Healthy people sometimes also have high Epstein-Barr antibodies, while some people with CFS do not, making standard blood tests for Epstein-Barr antibodies not useful for diagnosing CFS.

Unusual “Partial Reactivation” of Virus Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms in Some

However, there seems to be something different about the latent Epstein-Barr virus reactivation in some patients with CFS. The virologists had previously identified a group of patients with classic chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms that responded very well to treatment with antiviral medication. By comparing these patients to CFS patients who didn’t respond to antiviral medication, the researchers found that the CFS patients who had responded to the antiviral treatment were experiencing an unusual “partial reactivation” of the Epstein-Barr virus.

In this group of CFS patients, a latent Epstein-Barr virus had begun to reactivate, but the newly awakened virus never reached its full potential to take over its host cells. Instead, the group of fatigued patients experienced a partial reactivation that stuck around for an abnormally long time. This partial reactivation was strong enough to trigger the generation at least two viral proteins, called DNA polymerase and dUTPase. The patients produced antibodies specifically designed to identify and neutralize those proteins. Control blood samples from healthy people showed no such antibodies.

Virus Triggers Inflammation and Immune System “Chaos” Leading to CFS Symptoms

Even though the CFS patients with these antibodies don’t show evidence of complete, active, Epstein-Barr re-infections (they tested negative for the most commonly measured active antibodies required to fight the Epstein-Barr virus,) the researchers believe these viral proteins are able to trigger inflammation and chaos within the immune system that leads to debilitating fatigue and other chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. All patients in whom the antibodies linked to latent Epstein-Barr virus reactivation were detected had experienced classic CFS symptoms that resolved with long-term antiviral treatment.

New Panel Would Identify Subgroup of CFS Patients With Specific Epstein-Barr Antibodies

Numerous types of blood tests are available to determine past or present viral infections, but until now none have been found to be useful in helping determine whether someone has CFS or not. In other words, until now no type of virus-related marker in the blood has been found that separates out those with CFS from those without. With their discovery, the investigative team envisions the development of a new antibody panel which could be used to identify the subgroup of CFS patients with elevated levels of these specific antibodies against DNA polymerase and dUTPase. As of now, antibodies to these viral proteins are not part of any current standard panel for past or present Epstein-Barr infections.

Some of the researchers involved the study are part owners of a company that has U.S. patents and pending patents for diagnosis and treatment of CFS based on their discovery of these non-standard antibodies. While this may be a conflict of interest, it is also a new direction which might offer hope to at least some CFS patients.

You can learn about other causes of chronic fatigue and CFS, as well as natural strategies for beating fatigue, by browsing our additional Energy & Fatigue articles. Our resources will help you identify the true underlying cause of your fatigue and get it under control using natural health strategies recommended by leading integrative physicians and research study groups.

This article was originally published in 2017. It has since been updated. 

[1] Lerner AM, Ariza ME, et al. Antibody to epstein-barr virus deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase and deoxyribonucleotide polymerase in a chronic fatigue subset. PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e47891.

[2] Discovery could lead to faster diagnosis for some chronic fatigue syndrome cases.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) bases its description of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) on a 1994 case definition—one that provides a consensus viewpoint from leading researchers and clinicians and that followed different studies of CFS in adults.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Causes

Researchers have proposed various other CFS case definitions subsequent to the 1994 study. While they share features with the earlier definition, they also differ in the emphasis given to symptoms and severity. So while further research is conducted, the CDC continues to cite the 1994 case definition:

“Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by intense fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical activity or mental exertion. People with CFS often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before they became ill.”

The CDC case definition goes on discuss the challenge of finding a chronic fatigue syndrome cause:

“The cause or causes of CFS have not been identified, and no specific diagnostic tests are available. Therefore, a CFS diagnosis requires three criteria:

• The individual has had severe chronic fatigue for six or more consecutive months that is not due to ongoing exertion or other medical conditions associated with fatigue (these other conditions need to be ruled out by a doctor after diagnostic tests have been conducted).
• The fatigue significantly interferes with daily activities and work.
• The individual concurrently has four or more of the following eight symptoms:
  • post-exertion malaise lasting more than 24 hours
  • unrefreshing sleep
  • significant impairment of short-term memory or concentration
  • muscle pain
  • pain in the joints without swelling or redness
  • headaches of a new type, pattern, or severity
  • tender lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
  • a sore throat that is frequent or recurring

“These symptoms should have persisted or recurred during six or more consecutive months of illness and they cannot have first appeared before the fatigue.”

Chronic Fatigue Treatment: What’s Next?

There’s currently no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, nor have prescription drugs been developed to relieve the condition. Healthcare providers instead talk about managing CFS—a challenge because it affects each patient in a different way. Plus, symptoms can vary over time, further complicating matters.

The most effective treatment of CFS, experts say, involves a team approach: doctors who specialize in different areas working with the patient himself. By working together, they have a better chance of creating a customized treatment program.

Doctors typically set out to relieve the most disruptive symptoms in a chronic fatigue syndrome patient. For example, some patients may experience a serious sleep disorder as one of their symptoms, whether it’s insomnia, restless leg syndrome, or nocturnal myoclonus (night-time muscular spasm). A sleep specialist’s treatment might involve the establishment of a hard-and-fast bedtime routine, the elimination of napping during the day, regular exercise, and the avoidance of caffeine after lunch and of alcohol and tobacco altogether.

If those steps don’t resolve sleep issues—if the patient is still experiencing “unrefreshing” sleep—doctors may test for sleep apnea or narcolepsy and/or prescribe medication.

When Your CFS Symptom Is Pain…

If a patient’s most serious CFS symptom is pain in his muscles and joints, his doctor may pursue pain management via such tactics as medication (like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen), massage, water therapy, relaxation techniques, and/or a stretching and exercise program.

If a CFS patient’s most disruptive symptom is depression, his physician may recommend psychological counseling as well as “movement” therapies (yoga, tai chi, stretching exercises), deep breathing and muscle relaxation techniques, massage therapies, or an antidepressant prescription.

The first step, though, is to meet with your healthcare provider to review your symptoms. From there, you and your healthcare team can pursue the most appropriate chronic fatigue treatment.

Meanwhile, it’s important to find out everything you can about chronic fatigue syndrome. Besides useful summaries at the U.S. National Library of Medicine and at the CDC, you can access these free University Health News posts:

• “Sorting Out Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms“
• “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment: Hope Lies Ahead“
• “How to Improve Energy Level: 7 Strategies for the Overtired“

This article was originally published in 2016 and is regularly updated.

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For many years, researchers have looked into possible causes for this complex condition—including psychological problems, viruses, an autoimmune reaction, or inflammation of the brain—but they have been unable to identify how CFS begins, why it continues, and what strategies might stop it. Fortunately, that may be changing.

A recent study suggests that CFS may be linked to abnormalities in the intestinal bacteria (microbiota) of people who have the disease. Researchers recruited 48 individuals diagnosed with CFS and compared blood and stool samples from that group with samples from a similar group of 39 healthy individuals, according to a report published June 23, 2016 in the journal Microbiome.

Analysis of bacterial DNA in the stool samples revealed that CFS participants had less bacterial diversity in their gut compared to the control group, a situation that might lead to health problems. Blood samples of the healthy participants were normal. But blood from CFS participants contained inflammatory markers, suggesting that bacteria might be entering the bloodstream because of “leaky gut” caused by intestinal problems and triggering an immune response that causes a number of CFS symptoms.

The post Is Your Low Energy a Serious Problem? Take This Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Test to Find Out appeared first on University Health News.

A: Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a newly recognized pre-dementia syndrome that is characterized by a combination of slowing gait speed and cognitive complaints. Research published in November 2014 in the online issue of Neurology suggests that older individuals who meet the criteria for MCR may face two to three times the normal risk for dementia. The study authors propose measuring the walking speed of older adults who have complaints about their memories as a simple clinical tool to help identify individuals at higher risk for dementia. A walking speed of less than one meter (3.28 feet) per second is considered slow, and a speed of 0.6 meters per second is considered abnormal. Older individuals with Parkinson’s disease or a history of stroke are at higher risk for MCR, as are individuals with potentially modifiable risk factors such as depression, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle. These risk factors may possibly be reversed or reduced if addressed with effective treatment or a change in diet or behavior.

Q: Is it true that researchers have identified brain anomalies that may help explain what causes chronic fatigue syndrome? What are these abnormalities?

A: Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by constant, debilitating fatigue that lasts six months or more, and by various other symptoms that may include headaches, pain in the joints and muscles, and gastrointestinal complaints. New research published in the Oct. 28, 2014 issue of Radiology compared the brain scans of 15 individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome to the scans of a group of healthy individuals and found a number of differences. Results showed that participants with chronic fatigue syndrome, but not the healthy participants, had reduced amounts of white matter—the “wiring” in the brain that forms communications networks among brain cells—a possible indication of chronic inflammation; increased volume of gray matter in two brain regions; and a particular abnormality in a brain area that connects the frontal lobe and temporal lobes of the brain. The scientists found that increased severity of this abnormality was linked to increased severity of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. These findings may eventually lead to better diagnosis of the condition; however more work must be done before scientists understand precisely how the brain abnormalities trigger disease symptoms.

Q: I have Afib and I read recently that it increases my risk for strokes that occur without any symptoms. Can you tell me more?

A: Atrial fibrillation (Afib), a type of heart arrhythmia, is an electrical malfunction that causes the upper chambers of the heart to beat erratically. The irregular heartbeat can cause blood to pool and coagulate in the heart, and sometimes leads to a clot that breaks free, travels to the brain, blocks circulation, and causes damage to brain tissue. Afib is known to increase risk for symptomatic stroke by a factor of four. On Nov. 4, 2014, MGH researchers published a study online in the Annals of Internal Medicine that suggests that Afib may also double the risk for silent cerebral infarctions, or “silent strokes”—asymptomatic strokes that nevertheless result in brain damage that is visible in brain scans. Silent strokes, which can affect cognition and impair memory, may help explain why Afib is associated with a 40 percent increased risk for cognitive impairment and dementia independent of symptomatic stroke history and other health issues. Further research is necessary to determine whether treatment with anticoagulants or blood thinners would reduce the risk of silent stroke as it does for symptomatic stroke.

The post Ask the Doctor: Motoric Cognitive Risk Syndrome; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; Afib & Stroke Risk appeared first on University Health News.

Some of the most common and well-researched uses include:

1. Acupuncture helps protect the brain, and it can help people with dementia by improving cognition and reducing depression, anxiety, and agitation.
2. Acupuncture is an effective blood pressure reducing treatment.
3. People with insomnia show improved sleep quality when using acupuncture. Learn how the effects of acupuncture compare to sleeping pills here.
4. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in treating immune-related diseases like allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more, as it can modulate the activity of various immune responses.[1]
5. One of acupuncture’s most popular uses is for pain management, including headaches, fibromyalgia, and osteoarthritis of the knee.[2,3]
6. Women’s reproductive health disorders, such as PMS and PCOS.[4-7]

The World Health Organization has identified 40 more conditions that can benefit from acupuncture, include things like sinusitis, asthma, colitis, and anxiety and depression.[8]

Read more about the versatility of acupuncture here.

New research supports acupuncture for chronic fatigue syndrome

The journal Trials published a randomized controlled study in July 2015 looking at the effects of acupuncture on chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.[9]

The researchers divided 150 participants into three groups; one received normal care plus body acupuncture, one received normal care plus Sa-am acupuncture (a specific type of acupuncture), and one received normal care alone. Five weeks later, the group receiving body acupuncture had significantly lower fatigue severity scores compared to the other two groups. Both acupuncture groups rated their fatigue significantly lower than the control group on a numerical rating scale at five and 13 weeks.

Try acupuncture for relief from a variety of conditions

Acupuncture may help you find relief from a wide variety of ailments, all while boosting your immune system to fight off infection, helping you to sleep better, and lowering your blood pressure.

Look for an acupuncturist in your area to get started improving your health today. For help finding a practitioner, read Acupuncture Benefits and How to Find an Acupuncturist Near You. If the cost of private acupuncture is prohibitive, look for community acupuncture centers. These facilities often work on a sliding scale and can be significantly more affordable.

Share your experience

Have you ever tried acupuncture? What did you use it for? Share your experiences with acupuncture in the comments section below.

[1] Auton Neurosci. 2010 Oct 28;157(1-2):38-41.

[2] Clin J Pain. 2013 Feb;29(2):172-85.

[3] Arch Intern Med. 2012 Oct 22;172(19):1444-53.

[4] AlternTher Health Med. 2013 Jul-Aug;19(4):13-9.

[5] Allergy. 2013 Mar;68(3):365-74.

[6] BJOG. 2011 Jul;118(8):899-915.

[7] Am J Chin Med. 2013;41(4):717-42.

[8] WHO. Acup Rev. 2003.

[9] Trials. 2015 Jul 26;16:314.

The post What Is Acupuncture Used for? These 7 Research-Proven Uses Are Just the Start appeared first on University Health News.