Many people diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) suffer in today's society as a result of other people's confusion, doubts and plain ole' skepticism. It gets tiresome to see that look. You know the one where it's obvious that the other person thinks you're faking it. Or maybe, putting on a show. Or maybe, she thinks you have a few screws loose.

When someone does ask that pitiful question, take heart in the fact that as you get better, you won't have to endure what are, at best, pitiful attempts at communication and, at worst, careless insults. As your health returns, you won't have to endure such conversations again (except when talking about your past).

But right now, that moment, tell your inquirer, "No. I doubt that you have CFS if you're only tired. The illness is much more than that."

When you're puttering around on empty and your energy level is nearly non-existent, the body and brain need real help. Such is the situation for many Chronic Fatigue Syndrome people. Your brain can't function is you don't have enough "energy" for your body.

Plus, it seems as if many things work against you such as sleep schedules and daily stress. What can you do to regularly have more available energy and get your body and life on track?

With more than one million people in the United States suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), do we have a national healthcare crisis on our hands?

If you're in that group, you probably think so. If you're not, you may be among the millions more people who have debilitating fatiguing illnesses, but you present with fewer or less severe symptoms than those of someone with CFS.

If you suspected that you had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), went to a doctor or medical professional for help and received only ridicule and put down, the title of this post probably just made your blood boil.

Too many people with bonafide cases of CFS (or similar illnesses like Fibromyalgia, FMS) are treated in such a manner.

No one wants Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). That includes any man who suffers with it.

The percentage of men with CFS isn't nearly as high as the number of women with the illness. But no matter how large the number, no figure speaks to an individual's level of suffering, how his life is diminished or what does or does not lie in his future. Not only are the symptoms tough, but the questions are enough to drive any man mad! (Not really, of course. We don't want anyone to feel that desperate. Know that there is hope.)

This "poem" is for all those people who need to hear a few words of encouragement and may not have the energy to read a long work. Sit back and enjoy the audio if you prefer...

Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Why do you hang around me so?

You have little personality. You dress all too casual and
You talk in a whisper making it hard to hear your calling

Other times you shout at the top of your raspy, weak throat
And set my poor head to ringing.

Oh, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
I'm no poet, but if I were one you'd leave me little to laud

If you suffer with fatigue, count yourself among millions of Americans who suffer right along with you. In fact, fatigue is among the most prolific complaints of people going to the doctor. That begs a question... are they merely tired or are they severely fatigued? Often the degree of fatigue provides some indication of the actual, underlying problem causing it. (Hint: Fatigue, other than that from direct physical and mental exertion or related to the hours you've been awake, is not normal. If you have fatigue for no apparent reason, it may point to an underlying problem that deserves your attention.)

Example:

1. Some fatigue may mean your sleep pattern is being interrupted or your body is weakened from anemia (a low red blood cell count). In your less than optimal state, you might come down with a cold, etc.


2. A moderate amount of nagging fatigue could point to an unrelenting psychological or emotional problem or the onset of a bigger physical problem (like the beginning stages of a chronic illness.)


3. Continuing, large volume, life-altering fatigue is the variety where you encounter such illnesses as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, cancer and the like.

As we delve deeper into the word fatigue, we realize that it's a hallmark symptom of many illnesses. Because of that fact, the word is much too common a term to be used in the name of an actual illness like "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)." This causes confusion among patients and professionals alike. Even saying the term, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, makes CFS sound like its sufferers are merely tired all the time (i.e. chronic). Unfortunately, that is only a part of the story.

I've been telling people about Leaky Gut Syndrome and all of the problems associated with the gut/digestive/Immune System link in the body for years. Almost without fail, the person I'm talking to gets this glazed over look in their eyes. Why?

I've often wondered, but my best guess is that they don't have enough information to relate to what I'm saying. They don't understand the unequivocal and vital importance of what it means to maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Certainly many of us with Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have had digestive upsets (sometimes to the point of making us totally dysfunctional!), but what happens when it goes beyond just a stomach upset?

I invite you to click the link to Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum's, Leaky Gut Documented in Fibromyalgia, article in his newletter.

Before you talk about Fibromyalgia (FMS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS, CFIDS or ME) and brain fog, you need to explore what is meant by the term brain fog. The complaint is common to both illnesses. If we learn more about it, it won't seem like such an unsolvable puzzle.

BRAIN FOG:
1. feeling like you're in a mental fog;


2. Inability to think clearly

If that describes you, you're not alone.

In the last blog entry on this subject, August 8th, we looked at the general definition of brain fog and some of the body systems that might be involved with the condition.

A. Brain
That's obvious, but never more so than when you're suffering with it not working well.

B. Digestive System
That's not obvious, but it's important. If the Digestive System is not functioning up to par, your body is not able to manufacture the food source ingredients to keep it going at full tilt. If some parts of what your body requires are missing, other system may fall into being dysfunctional also, because of lack of necessary nourishment.

C. Lymph Drainage System
If your body's ability to handle lymph fluid becomes sluggish, you won't have peak energy. You may feel full, generally off and unable to move freely or at will. If your lymph drainage gets so slow that it's essentially non-functional, this can have an impact on other body systems (i.e. Immune System) and further impair your body functionality.

D. Immune System.
This one is the big, hairy monster because many components of the body depend on the Immune System. When it is really non-functional, you're in trouble.

E. Sleep System
This can add to your problems if you're sleeping poorly. The body needs good sleep to heal!

So what kind of suggestions does this lead us to?

Brain fog does not have to be a permanent symptom. Do everything you can to bolster your body (body, mind and spirit) and give you a chance to recover and really heal.

*Note:To pick up more tips of how to feel better, check the blog heading, Getting Well and ELT Healing Protocol.

Thanks,
Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show