What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia?

Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (abbreviated CFIDS or CFS) is a group of symptoms associated with severe, almost unrelenting fatigue. The predominant symptom is fatigue that causes a persistent and substantial reduction in activity level. Despite constant exhaustion, those with CFS are further frustrated by the fact that they cannot sleep.

The fatigue has one of two starting patterns. The first is gradual in onset, usually correlating with a period of severe physical or emotional stress. The second possibility is sudden onset, starting with a “drop dead flu” from which a person never fully recovers. In this case, a patient can almost always pinpoint the exact date that their illness began.

Other common symptoms include:

• Insomnia
• Disabling fatigue
• Achiness
• Difficulties with short-term memory
• Concentration
• Brain fog (trouble finding words and orientation confusion)
• Increased thirst
• Bowel disorders
• Recurring infections
• Exhaustion after minimal exertion
• Weight gain
• Low libido

CFS’s sister illness, Fibromyalgia syndrome (abreviated FMS or FM), is characterized by muscle pain. The painful muscles can be all over the body, or may be painful only at specific spots in the body. These painful areas can remain consistent or be transient. FM pain is caused by a shortening, or tightening of the muscles. These muscles need restorative sleep and optimal nutrition, among other things, in order to relax and heal (see the SHIN approach).

Since CFS/FM sufferers rarely achieve restorative stage 3 and 4 sleep, these muscles stay knotted and painful. For most sufferers, FM and CFS are the same illness. However, some people have fatigue without pain, and others have pain without fatigue.

What Causes CFS
CFS and FM are caused by hypothalamic dysfunction. The hypothalamus is the body’s master gland, which is likened to the main circuit in your home’s breaker box. The hypothalamus is weakened by long term exposure to physical or emotional stress, or a “drop dead flu”, which will cause it to “blow”. When the main fuse blows, all of the systems regulated by the hypothalamus malfunction. These systems include the glands (affecting the thyroid, adrenals, and sex hormones), the autonomic system (which regulates body temperature, blood pressure, and the anti diuretic hormone), and the sleep center.

People with CFS/FM typically suffer from a combination of different problems. The pattern can include infections (viral or bacterial), insomnia and hormonal problems, a combination Dr. T refers to as the "autoimmune triad".

Other possible underlying issues include:

• Immune system dysfunction
• Mild, chronic low blood pressure
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Iron deficiency anemia