Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a persistent debilitating fatigue of recent onset, with reduction of physical activity to less than half of usual, accompanied by some combination of muscle weakness, sore throat, mild fever, tender lymph nodes, headache, and depression, with the symptoms not attributable to any other known cause.
Substantial evidence is now emerging that it, and several other illnesses, may result from unusual infectious microorganisms that are not detected by the typical diagnostic tests. Special, sophisticated lab tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests can, however, detect these invaders and, in a growing number of peer-reviewed papers, are confirming the presence of these microorganisms in illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome.
Once they have been detected, the proper treatment can be given. Often there are two or more microorganisms associated with this syndrome and both have to be eliminated before recovery can be expected.
The most likely connection between CFS and Adrenal Fatigue is that the infectious agent(s) that lead to the development of CFS also set up conditions that foster Adrenal Fatigue. The direct effects of a smoldering pathogen in the body as well as the systematic stress the infection creates put the adrenals on overload. These pathogenic microorganisms act as a tremendous body burden, draining adrenal resources and producing Adrenal Fatigue.
This further weakens the immune response and makes it harder to fight off the infection. With new diagnostic procedures available for detecting the specific infectious agent(s) responsible, there have been encouraging results using a combination treatment that eliminates the specific pathogen(s) while strengthening the adrenals. Simultaneously eradicating these infectious agents from the body, while providing adequate adrenal support is the key to complete recovery.
Conversely, Adrenal Fatigue often precedes a syndrome such as chronic fatigue. The immune weakness that results from altered adrenal function sets the stage for easier infection by pathogens, such as those responsible for CFS, and for greater debilitation. When there is a longer than normal recovery period from CFS with decreased stamina and pronounced morning tiredness, Adrenal Fatigue is likely contributing to the symptom picture, no matter the cause of the illness. Some studies of women with chronic fatigue syndrome have found benefit from using 200 mg. of DHEA/day. Because of these studies DHEA is being prescribed and recommended by many health practitioners for CFS and related conditions. Although this may help some women, it is my clinical experience that women often do not do well on DHEA unless their adrenals are very fatigued. Levels as low as 10-25 mg. have produced symptoms of excess DHEA such as facial hair and acne. A safer and more successful way of raising DHEA levels in women is to have them take either progesterone or pregnenolone. Again, providing adequate support for the adrenals while eradicating the infectious agents from the body is the key to complete recovery from CFS. For detailed information about how to support your adrenals read Dr. Wilson's book Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome and check out Programs for Adrenal Recovery on this website.