Lightheaded, fatigued and muscle weakness

[fhidista]

Hello. Can you help me in this? I suffer from lightheadness and fatigue and muscle weakness. I tested vitamin d, TSH, B12, electrolytes (Sodium, Pottasium) and they're all ok. I suspect it's a nutrients problem, especially Magnisum because I might have the same symptoms. Also, I have taken vitamin d supplements for a long time without taking Magnisum or other cofactors with it. Is this related to me condition? What could be causing my symptoms?

[gymdandee]

PART 4
                                      Natural Energy Boosters for Chronic Fatigue

People with chronic fatigue syndrome — many more women than men — can experience symptoms that range from severe fatigue and low-grade fever to swollen lymph glands and muscle and joint aches. The puzzling array of symptoms associated with chronic fatigue has left many physicians perplexed and many patients open to alternative therapies to help manage their symptoms. So which types of alternative treatments are effective in relieving symptoms of chronic fatigue and boosting natural energy levels?

Herbs for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Herbal therapy has been used for thousands of years to help restore energy and cure disease.

A commonly prescribed herb for chronic fatigue is ginseng. There are three forms of the ginseng herb: American, Asian, and Siberian. The first two types have similar chemical compositions; Siberian ginseng is a different plant. Despite that difference, these three ginseng varieties are all used for their ability to enhance bodily functions and strengthen the immune system, which makes them appropriate for people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Other herbs suggested for CFS patients for their immune-boosting properties are:
Echinacea. A native American plant, echinacea has shown in animal and lab studies that it can alleviate inflammation and pain, among other symptoms.
Astragalus. This plant also helps protect against inflammation, and it contains antioxidants, which can help thwart cellular damage.
Pau d'arco. While herbalists do use pau d’arco for CFS treatment, it hasn’t proven to be very effective. People on blood-thinner medications should not take pau d'arco.

Herbs in the form of essential oils may be recommended for people with chronic fatigue as well. Jasmine, rosemary, and peppermint are known for having restorative qualities and may provide natural energy to CFS patients.

But before trying herbal therapy, speak with your doctor and make sure that herbal remedies for chronic fatigue won't interfere with your other treatments.

More Natural Remedies for Chronic Fatigue

Other alternative therapies may offer relief to those with CFS:
Homeopathy. As with herbal medicines, recommendations for homeopathic remedies are based on the patient’s physical and emotional constitution. Homeopaths make selections after a thorough assessment of these unique factors, but one common remedy prescribed to CFS patients is sulphur.
Acupuncture. Much research has been done on acupuncture and its effects on CFS. Acupuncture diagnoses are made according to excesses or deficiencies in the body’s meridian system. In the case of chronic fatigue, patients are often diagnosed as having a deficiency in the spleen, kidney, lung, or liver meridian. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles into various points on the skin to try and rebalance the energy flow within these meridians, thereby alleviating the CFS symptoms. Studies in China and the West have shown acupuncture to be effective in treating fatigue, various forms of pain, insomnia, and immune-related problems.
Chiropractic and massage. These two treatments involve manipulatation of the body — spinal manipulation in chiropractic and soft-tissue manipulation in massage — to improve symptoms. Both chiropractic and massage have been shown to alleviate some pain and low energy associated with chronic fatigue. No definitive studies have proven the efficacy of either treatment, but chiropractic is thought to help CFS by stimulating the nervous system, while massage may benefit CFS because it improves circulation.

Sometimes simple lifestyle adjustments are the most effective natural energy boosters of all. Regular exercise, as long as you don’t overdo it, has been shown to help decrease chronic fatigue symptoms. Deep breathing and meditation can lower stress levels, which is important in keeping fatigue and pain at bay. Finally, healthy eating — avoiding caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, and refined sugars in favor of fresh vegetables and whole grains — is key to keeping up your energy levels.

[gymdandee]

PART 3
                               Designing Your Chronic Fatigue Treatment Plan

Chronic fatigue syndrome treatment is a very individual thing, based on each patient’s symptoms and response to different therapies.

How you describe your symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome will often guide your treatment plan. “A lot of it has to do with how patients answer the questions,” explains Morris Papernik, MD, a doctor in private practice with ProHealth Physicians Group in Glastonbury, Conn., and a member of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory Committee. “That’s what we tell residents and medical students all the time — it’s not a cookbook type of science here. We’re dealing with an illness that is somewhat nebulous. You need to practice the art of medicine.”

For example, how a patient describes her sleep and fatigue problems will help direct chronic fatigue treatment recommendations. “If a patient complains of fatigue and lack of energy, you say, ‘Tell me about your sleep.’ Maybe sleep is not the problem — it could be daytime energy,” says Dr. Papernik. Treatments for boosting daytime energy are different than those used to ease sleep disturbances.

Chronic Fatigue Treatment Options

Among treatments that may be helpful for patients with chronic fatigue symptoms are these classes of drugs:
Antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Although not everyone with chronic fatigue syndrome is depressed, some antidepressants can help ease fatigue, pain, and disordered sleep. Cymbalta (duloxetine HCI) is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, followed by Effexor (venlafaxine). The benzodiazepine Klonopin (clonazepam) may also be used to help people sleep at night.
Anticonvulsants. For reasons that are not clear, medications typically used for prevention of seizures can sometimes help people with CFS. Lyrica (pregabalin) may be prescribed, especially for patients who also have fibromyalgia pain. Lyrica has been shown to reduce pain and physical discomfort in these patients.
Thyroid medications. Thyroid treatments can complement other treatments for people who are not responding as expected, especially if thyroid hormone levels are borderline. "Lots of times we will add thyroid pills to the mix if patients are not getting the response that we look for," says Papernik.
Stimulants. Provigil (modafinil) or Nuvigil (armodafinil) may be prescribed to increase daytime alertness. “Some people go so far as to use amphetamines,” says Papernik, although he does not recommend this approach over a long period.
Pain medication. For patients who experience severe headaches, joint pain, or other pain that is not managed with other treatments, pain medications may ease those symptoms.

The possibility of a link between a virus called XMRV and chronic fatigue syndrome may have patients seeking a type of treatment called antiretroviral therapy. XMRV is classified as a retrovirus, which means infection with it may allow other, previously dormant (inactive) viruses within the body to reactivate. The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the best-known retrovirus, and the antiretroviral drugs on the market are aimed at treatment of HIV, not XMRV.

Papernik warns against the retroviral treatment approach because there is no test that can reliably tell you if you have XMRV and because its role in CFS is not clear. Current antiretroviral medications have many strong side effects that make them inadvisable for treatment of unproven XMRV infection.

Alternative Treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

You may hear a lot about vitamin therapy and other kinds of herbal supplements that are said to ease chronic fatigue symptoms. However, says Papernik, the only alternative therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome that have been shown to work better than placebos are:
CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10), 100 milligrams (mg) three times a day
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), 5 mg twice a day
SAM-E, 200 to 400 mg twice a day

Many CFS patients try acupuncture, valerian root, aloe vera, and magnesium, Papernik says. While there is no data to support these treatments, Papernik points out that they probably don’t cause any harm.

A Word of Caution About Chronic Fatigue Treatment

The lack of a standardized approach to chronic fatigue treatment means that patients may encounter advertisements from companies claiming to have a product to help with chronic fatigue symptoms, as well as practitioners who promise a quick cure. At the opposite end of the spectrum, CFS patients may encounter doctors who do not take their symptoms seriously. Papernik advises patients to be cautious when selecting a treatment approach. He warns patients to avoid doctors who:
Do not appear to be listening to your description of your chronic fatigue symptoms — one size does not fit all in the CFS world
Tell you that your experience is all in your head and want to refer you to a psychiatrist
Are interested in selling you a line of vitamins offered in their office
Push intravenous vitamin, antibiotic, or antifungal treatments, which have not been shown to work better than placebos

Remember, finding the right doctor and communication are the keys to successfully treating chronic fatigue syndrome — and that means communicating with your doctor openly and clearly about symptoms, side effects, and any traditional or alternative medicine options you're using.

[gymdandee]

PART 2
Natural Energy Boosters for Chronic Fatigue

People with chronic fatigue syndrome — many more women than men — can experience symptoms that range from severe fatigue and low-grade fever to swollen lymph glands and muscle and joint aches. The puzzling array of symptoms associated with chronic fatigue has left many physicians perplexed and many patients open to alternative therapies to help manage their symptoms. So which types of alternative treatments are effective in relieving symptoms of chronic fatigue and boosting natural energy levels?

Herbs for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Herbal therapy has been used for thousands of years to help restore energy and cure disease.

A commonly prescribed herb for chronic fatigue is ginseng. There are three forms of the ginseng herb: American, Asian, and Siberian. The first two types have similar chemical compositions; Siberian ginseng is a different plant. Despite that difference, these three ginseng varieties are all used for their ability to enhance bodily functions and strengthen the immune system, which makes them appropriate for people with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Other herbs suggested for CFS patients for their immune-boosting properties are:
Echinacea. A native American plant, echinacea has shown in animal and lab studies that it can alleviate inflammation and pain, among other symptoms.
Astragalus. This plant also helps protect against inflammation, and it contains antioxidants, which can help thwart cellular damage.
Pau d'arco. While herbalists do use pau d’arco for CFS treatment, it hasn’t proven to be very effective. People on blood-thinner medications should not take pau d'arco.

Herbs in the form of essential oils may be recommended for people with chronic fatigue as well. Jasmine, rosemary, and peppermint are known for having restorative qualities and may provide natural energy to CFS patients.

But before trying herbal therapy, speak with your doctor and make sure that herbal remedies for chronic fatigue won't interfere with your other treatments.

More Natural Remedies for Chronic Fatigue

Other alternative therapies may offer relief to those with CFS:
Homeopathy. As with herbal medicines, recommendations for homeopathic remedies are based on the patient’s physical and emotional constitution. Homeopaths make selections after a thorough assessment of these unique factors, but one common remedy prescribed to CFS patients is sulphur.
Acupuncture. Much research has been done on acupuncture and its effects on CFS. Acupuncture diagnoses are made according to excesses or deficiencies in the body’s meridian system. In the case of chronic fatigue, patients are often diagnosed as having a deficiency in the spleen, kidney, lung, or liver meridian. Acupuncturists insert hair-thin needles into various points on the skin to try and rebalance the energy flow within these meridians, thereby alleviating the CFS symptoms. Studies in China and the West have shown acupuncture to be effective in treating fatigue, various forms of pain, insomnia, and immune-related problems.
Chiropractic and massage. These two treatments involve manipulatation of the body — spinal manipulation in chiropractic and soft-tissue manipulation in massage — to improve symptoms. Both chiropractic and massage have been shown to alleviate some pain and low energy associated with chronic fatigue. No definitive studies have proven the efficacy of either treatment, but chiropractic is thought to help CFS by stimulating the nervous system, while massage may benefit CFS because it improves circulation.

Sometimes simple lifestyle adjustments are the most effective natural energy boosters of all. Regular exercise, as long as you don’t overdo it, has been shown to help decrease chronic fatigue symptoms. Deep breathing and meditation can lower stress levels, which is important in keeping fatigue and pain at bay. Finally, healthy eating — avoiding caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, and refined sugars in favor of fresh vegetables and whole grains — is key to keeping up your energy levels.

[gymdandee]

PART 1

Fighting Chronic Fatigue Syndrome With a Natural Energy Diet
Eating a healthy diet and getting the best nutrition can help you manage many illnesses, and that doesn’t exclude the persistent tiredness and mental strain of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

“As with any chronic illness, nutrition always plays an important role in keeping energy up and allowing bodies to heal themselves,” says Morris Papernik, MD, a specialist in chronic fatigue syndrome at the ProHealth Physicians Group in Glastonbury, Conn. “You want to avoid those foods that will rob you of energy or that will only give short bursts of energy. You are looking for nutrition that will be there for your cells, muscles, and brain for the long haul.”

By eating the right foods — the types of foods that everyone, not just those with CFS, should strive to eat — we all can give ourselves more natural energy and eliminate tiredness and fatigue. And for those with CFS, following that advice as closely as possible is even more important to getting the chronic fatigue help you need.

Foods to Avoid When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
For chronic fatigue patients, the No. 1 piece of advice is to avoid processed, refined carbohydrates, such as the sugar or white flour found in foods such as white bread, crackers, cookies, cakes, and soda.

“Sugar has multiple detrimental effects in CFS patients. It suppresses the immune system, increases inflammation, and stimulates yeast overgrowth in the intestines,” says Kent Holtorf, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and founder of the Holtorf Medical Group in Torrance, Calif. “It also causes a rapid rise in blood sugar, followed by hypoglycemia [not enough sugar, which is needed for energy conversion, in the blood]. This hypoglycemia causes fatigue, anxiety, and sugar cravings, [creating] a vicious cycle.”

Dr. Holtorf also recommends avoiding the artificial sweetener aspartame (Nutrasweet) and the additive MSG, which can cause adverse reactions in some CFS patients. “Avoiding aspartame can dramatically reduce pain and improve cognitive function in many patients,” Holtorf says. “MSG is also a common trigger of hypersensitivity reactions in these patients. It is not a true allergy, but it can exacerbate almost any symptom.”

Eating for Natural Energy
The list of what you can eat to help restore natural energy is much larger — and much better — than what you have to avoid. And here again, these are foods most people should be eating anyway.

“I highly recommend a low-carb diet of unprocessed and organic foods to improve CFS symptoms,” says John Salerno, MD, a specialist on chronic fatigue syndrome with Patients Medical in New York City. “Focus on wild-caught fish, organic vegetables, grass-fed meats, organic eggs, and full-fat cheeses, which are all well-tolerated by CFS patients. Add dark-colored fruits, including berries, which are also recommended.”

Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, medical director of the national Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, also recommends increasing water, salt, and your overall protein intake. “Because of the adrenal hormone levels being inadequate [in some patients with CFS], people become dehydrated and need increased salt and water. The exception would be for patients with high blood pressure or heart failure,” says Dr. Teitelbaum. “Also, increasing protein intake tends to help maintain a stable blood sugar.”
Another important recommendation that Teitelbaum makes is to eat frequent, smaller meals rather than three large ones. This helps you avoid gorging yourself and feeling awful later on.

However, Teitelbaum also emphasizes that different approaches help different people, so it may be best to work with a doctor and a nutritionist to come up with a good solution for you. “Overall, instead of a very defined recommendation, remember that each person is different, and one should eat what overall leaves them feeling the best,” says Teitelbaum. “Sugars may leave you feeling better immediately, but then leave you feeling horrible hours later. Take some time to see how foods affect your overall well-being.”