Читать книгу Why Am I So Tired?: Is your thyroid making you ill? - Литагент HarperCollins USD, Martin Budd N.D. D.O. - Страница 14

Peggy was prescribed a course of weekly vitamin B₁₂ injections, a suitable multi-mineral, and a thyroid glandular supplement.

After the third week she began to feel less fatigued and after three months of treatment she was more mentally alert and had returned to her 18 holes of golf each week. It may be necessary for Peggy to continue with the thyroid and mineral support on a low maintenance dosage for the rest of her life, coupled with monthly B₁₂ injections.

Maintenance treatment is often justified and worthwhile to maintain necessary health and morale in the elderly. I firmly believe that the elderly benefit from regular gentle exercise. The value of rest can be overstated, as inactivity can cause joint stiffness, muscle weakening and excess weight. Exercise also improves bone health and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

FATIGUE — OTHER NAMES

It may be helpful to discuss the various medical titles that have been used in the UK and the USA to define chronic exhaustion.

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)

This grand sounding name is synonymous with post viral fatigue (PVF) and also interchangeable with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). Past definitions for ME have included epidemic neurasthenia, Epstein-Barr syndrome, Royal Free disease and Icelandic disease. The symptoms of ME have also been defined by the media as ‘Yuppy ‘Flu’ or chronic influenza. The chief symptom of ME is chronic fatigue, of a type that requires bedrest but offers little clinical evidence with testing. A history of recurring infections, headaches and muscle pains are characteristic. Observable signs can include throat inflammation and lymph node enlargement in the neck and armpits.

In the US, ME is usually defined as CFS or chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). The criteria for diagnosis are similar to ME and many doctors believe that the simple definition CFS will become the internationally recognized title for chronic fatigue.

Post-Viral Fatigue (PVF)

By definition this title describes the chronic fatigue that follows a virus infection. There is usually a history of a viral illness (e.g. Epstein-Barr virus, glandular fever or influenza). The signs are similar to ME and involve lymph node swelling and tenderness. PVF usually shows a history of fever. However, many doctors and researchers have recorded low body temperatures with their ME and PVF patients.

Fibromyalgia

Once known as fibrositis, fibromyalgia like ME and PVS, is often seen as being under the CFS umbrella. The only slight difference being that fibromyalgia patients have mainly muscle-joint symptoms with fatigue, while ME or PVF patients exhibit more symptoms of immune system weakness coupled with their fatigue.

Hyperventilation Syndrome (HV)

Breathing difficulties linked with anxiety and spinal health are found as a common component of fibromyalgia. However, HV is generally seen as a symptom not a cause. It is appropriate to quote Leon Chaitow who has written: ‘After some 15 years of treating fatigue problems and over 30 years of treating musculoskeletal pain problems, I can categorically state that I have seldom, if ever, failed to find at least “some” degree of breathing dysfunction in people with chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) or fibromyalgia.’¹

Gulf War Syndrome

Soldiers and other personnel who were involved in the Gulf War have subsequently suffered from chronic fatigue amongst other symptoms. The cause is thought to be a combination of immunization side effects, the toxic atmospheric pollution, poor hygiene, various toxic sprays, and stress. Although these victims of the war are relatively few (30,000 plus), what happened in the Gulf may encourage a greater willingness by the medical establishments to consider environmental and chemical factors when diagnosing chronic fatigue.