Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine is a Toronto naturopathic clinic dedicated to providing safe and effective treatment of a wide variety of health conditions using natural therapies and the principles of naturopathic medicine.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is well treated using naturopathic medicine. Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest, and may become worse with physical or mental activity. The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, but it often begins following infection or a stressful episode. Theories as to its’ cause include depression, immune system dysfunction and hormonal imbalance. Chronic fatigue syndrome can result in a decrease in quality of life and possibly depression. Professional healthcare should be sought out if your fatigue prevents you from fully participating in work, school or other activities.
Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
Possible symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome include:
- Persistent fatigue lasting more than six months
- Extreme fatigue lasting more than 24 hours following physical or mental exertion
- Poor concentration and memory
- Disturbed sleep
- Painful, swollen lymph nodes at your neck or underarm
- Muscle soreness
- Joint pain
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Chills and night sweats
- Anxiety or depression
- Sensitivities to foods, odours, medications or chemicals
Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment at Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine, the goals of chronic fatigue syndrome treatment are to reduce or eliminate symptoms, and prevent recurrence episodes.
Conventional treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome may include psychotherapy, and a variety of medications, including antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, low blood pressure medications, psychostimulants and corticosteroids which may have short- or long-term side effects. For this reason, you may choose to try natural treatment to possibly avoid use of conventional medications, or together with conventional medications in order to decrease dosages of conventional medications required to manage your chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.
Naturopathic treatment of any chronic health concern must be recognized as a process that involves identifying specific treatment goals, a thorough understanding by your naturopathic doctor of all factors affecting your health, including physical, psychological, emotional and lifestyle factors, development of a comprehensive treatment plan and execution of that plan through periodic monitoring and adjustment.
At Toronto-Centre Naturopathic Medicine a typical approach to treating chronic fatigue syndrome is to first identify and address underlying factors in your lifestyle (e.g., stress, sedentary lifestyle, poor sleep, generally unhealthy lifestyle) or general health (e.g., depression). Where appropriate, a number of therapeutic options are available, to be used alone, or more often in a complementary fashion, including:
- Acupuncture
- Cleansing protocols
- Nutritional supplements
- Botanical (herbal) medicines
- Homeopathic medicines
- Bowen Therapy
- Lifestyle counseling
- Relaxation techniques
- Exercise prescription
- Hydrotherapy
Reference
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [Online]. [cited 2009 Feb 18]; Available from: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/DS00395