2. Four or

more of the symptoms below for at lease six months:

Unexplained

or new headaches.

Short-term

memory or concentration impairment

Muscle pain.

Pain in multiple

joints unaccompanied by redness or swelling.

Un-refreshing

sleep.

Post-exertion

malaise that lasts for longer than 24 hours.

Sore throat.

Tender lymph

nodes in the neck or armpits.

According to

Dr. Susser, M.D., ofLos Angeles, California, other symptoms include allergies,

autoimmune reactions, dizziness, anxiety attacks, night sweats, rashes,

breathing irregularities, hypersensitivity to heat and cold and to light

and sound, and irregular heartbeat.

CFS is a complex

condition and, due to the myriad of symptoms, which overlap those related

to other conditions, it is extremely hard to diagnose.There is no definitive

medical test for this condition, making its recognition and treatment

difficult and controversial.

My initial

investigation of treatments for this condition led me to a variety of

medical procedures for combating the viruses (Epstein-Barr and herpes

simplex) and infections (related to sinusitis or cystitis), which eventually

become a part of the treatment of this condition. It is reported that

conventional medicine has achieved only limited results in treating Chronic

Fatigue Syndrome.

Further investigation

brought me to a book by William G. Crook, MD. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

and the Yeast Connection. 1992.If you have not heard about this connection,

it is a pragmatic and enlightening approach.The following information

is from this book.

It has been

noted that individuals may develop CFS:

After an acute

non-epidemic viral illness.

After working

in an airtight office building loaded with pollutants.

Living in

a home polluted with environmental chemicals.

After exposure

to toxic chemicals in a factory.

After living

in the tropics and acquiring a parasitic infection.

Living in

a damp, moldy home.

Following

the insertion of mercury/amalgam dental fillings.

After taking

long-term antibiotics.

As overgrowth

of yeast or Candida albicans take hold, and the person finds themselves

in the downward spiral leading to further immunosupression leading to:

A vicious

cycle of vaginal yeast infections.

A vicious

cycle of bacterial infections.

Endocrine

dysfunction (fatigue, dry skin, infertility, subnormal temperature, sugar

craving, PMS, loss of libido, irregular menstruation).

Dr. Crook then

describes in depth information about the approach to regaining health

as summarized in the accompanying diagram.

It is emphasized

that there is no "Quick Fix" or "Magic Bullet" and

changing life-styles is not easy.However, since this is a multifaceted

problem, all of the above mentioned components must be pursued. Dr. Crook's

book goes into detail about these areas.

In my clinical

experience with patients diagnosed with CFS, I have worked with them to

reduce internal stresses by restoring balance to their structure (cervical

spine and spinal column) and external stresses by recommending lifestyle

modifications.The structural changes alone support a stronger immune system,

and help other components of the treatment to be more effective.

We will be

discussing this important topic at our Community Service Health Talk onThursday,

September 25, 2003 at 3:00 PM.This monthly event is held at the Heritage

of Peachtree Retirement and Assisted Living Center, 1967 Ga. Highway 54,

Fayetteville.Refreshments will be served.Bring a friend. Call 770-631-7600

for more information or directions.

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