Chronic Fatique Syndrome and Ayurvedic Treatment

Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) is a complex illness that affects many people. It is characterised by incapacitating fatigue (experienced as profound exhaustion and poor stamina), neurological problems, and numerous other symptoms. So far, no objective way of diagnosing the illness has been found, such as a particular virus or bacterium.

There is evidence, however, that the disorder may be connected with poor functioning of the body’s immune system. There is also an accumulating evidence to support the view that a persisting or re-activated viral infection may be the root cause of many cases.

CFIDS patients exhibit a clear pattern of symptoms, which include mental and physical fatigue, reduced tolerance for exercise, muscular aches, and pains.

Apart from fatigue, some patients also experience mental symptoms, such as memory loss and an inability to concentrate, which can become disabling. Some patients also suffer from sleep disturbances, enlarged glands, recurrent sore throats, alcohol intolerance, and unusual unsteadiness and clumsiness.

When approached, doctors usually look for symptoms of a curable disease that may cause fatigue. The most common medical conditions that can be responsible for low energy are anaemia, diabetes, low thyroid function, chronic liver, and kidney ailments. These can be easily ruled out through routine tests.

If the history, physical examination, and laboratory studies do not point to a specific illness, usually anti-depressants are prescribed by the conventional doctors. For many patients, this approach does not address the deeper physical, emotional and spiritual issues underlying their lack of energy, and they continue seeking other, more holistic approaches.

According to Ayurveda, CFIDS or ojo-kshaya is a result of imbalances in vital energy caused by inappropriate diet, stress, and build-up of toxins in the body. Lack of vital energy is a problem that usually challenges allopathic medicine.

According to Ayurveda, fatigue represents a lack of coordination between body, mind, and spirit. Due to accumulated toxins in the mind-body system, the life force is unable to flow freely. For the same task to perform sufferers feel to take double the energy.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the key to releasing blocked energy is in identifying the patterns of behaviour that are disharmonious with a person’s nature. Lifestyle, which suits a particular person, may be inappropriate for another. Learning about one’s inherent mind, body nature and making choices to re-establish the balance is key to regaining vitality.

Taking steps to improve the basic functions of life—eating, eliminating, sleeping, loving, working—can gradually, but steadily enable you to recapture the vitality you have lost.

Usually, rasaayanaas are used to treat this condition. Literally, rasaayana means the augmentation of rasa, the vital fluid produced by the digestion of food, which sustains the body through the strengthening of tissues. It is the rasa flowing in the body, which sustains life; when it stops flowing, life ends. Rasaayana is, therefore, the medium through which the rasa is maintained, freshened, and augmented. Rasaayana drugs increase body tissues, digestive power, and metabolic process at the tissue level, functional capacity of the brain, and strength and immunity of the body at functional level. Amla, aswagandha, shilajit, etc. are some of the general rasaayanas.

Guidelines & Ayurvedic Remedies

Some people keep taking medicines and ignore the simplest of all remedies—rest! The principal cause of fatigue is lack of appropriate and timely rest. Make sure you maintain a good balance between rest and exercise.
Do keep yourself occupied so that you do not feel isolated and more depressed.
Avoid people with infectious illnesses.
Take special care with food and drinks. Watch out for signs of allergic reactions and avoid any foods you suspect. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and whole-grain foods. Keep all processed food, sugar, salt, and foods with additives, to the minimum.
Be sceptical about unusual treatments such as mega-vitamins and super-foods in tiny capsules. Most of them are without proven benefits.
Unwanted vaccinations are said to cause setbacks; avoid them unless they are very important. Discuss the matter with your doctor and if you do have to be immunised, choose a time when you feel well.
There are simple formulations you can prepare and take daily in small doses to get more energy. Take 1/2 cup of almonds, 1/2 cup of cashew nuts, 1/2 cup of crystal sugar, 1/2 cup of anise seeds, and 20 grains of black pepper. Powder all these items separately. Pass the powdered anise through a thin muslin cloth. Then, mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Store this mixture in a clean dry container. Take a tablespoonful with hot milk daily whenever you are tired.
New research suggests that CFIDS may be partially due to low adrenal function, resulting from different stressors affecting the normal communication among the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and the adrenal glands. Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root is known to stimulate the adrenal glands and to block the breakdown of active cortisol in the body. One report found that taking 2.5 gm of licorice root daily, led to a significant improvement in CFIDS.
Ashwagandha choorna 5 gm twice daily mixed in a glass of milk is an excellent remedy.

Note

As we all are genetically different with different constitutions and patterns, we respond to treatments in many different ways. Hence Standard Ayurvedic Treatments are always individually formulated. This article is intended only for information. It is not a substitute to the standard medical diagnosis, personalized Ayurvedic treatment or qualified Ayurvedic physician. For specific treatment, always consult with a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

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