Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

We all get tired sometimes. As we are living in the era of chronic diseases, most uf us have probably heard about chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is sometimes called also myalgic encephalomyelitis. Basically, it is a syndrome of deep fatigue over 6 months in which mental and physical activivity worsens the situaton, but at the same time rest and sleep don't improve the symptoms. In other words, it may feel like a cage with no way out. If you look closely into it, chronic fatigue is closely associated with homronal imbalances and it is thought that adrenal fatigue is one of the main causes eventually leading to the chronic fatigue syndrome. Chronic fatigue syndrome may develop into a myriad of other conditions such as chronic migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and others

Let's dive now directly into the Ayuredic perspective of this syndrome

Imbalanced Fire, Depletion of Life Force

The fatigue syndrome is related to bala kshaya (depleted strength) in Sanskrit.

This might happen due to various reasons. Etiologically, Ayurveda focuses a lot on nutrition. So depletion of ojas (life force) or imbalance of digestive fire might often happen due to combining incompatible food, for example combining dairy and fish in one setting or milk with honey. Such nutritional mistakes might not always lead to digestive problems directly, but rather the accumulation of toxins make one feal muscle tension and fatigues or migraines.

Perhaps such understanding is one of the reasons why health-oriented spectrum of society focuses so much on food allergies and food intolerances.

However, that is only one of the ways how a person might develop chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). As in most fo the cases, we approach the syndrome now from the doshic perspective:

Vata type CFS

Vata type chronic fatigue syndrome is slow to develop, it usually has a long period of warning signs and symptoms. Often in its prestages the digestive fire is becoming slower and the irregularities, especially in eating, start to show up more and more. After a while, accumulation of Vata dosha in lymphatic system happens and it can show itself through a small rise in temperature in the evenings. The person might experience cold and shivering and weakness. When it goes to blood, it often causes pale skin and lips (the anemia may be present, but not always). After accumulating in the fatty tissue, one might experience quick loss of fatty tissue, cracking of joings. A bit before that, one might experience spasms and ticks.

Fresh ginger, tulsi, ashwaganda, sudarshan might assist you if you are experiencing this type of CFS

Pitta type CFS

This is the most common type of chronic fatigue syndrome

When we speak lifestyle, Pitta might accumulate in that way after prolonged periods of exertions, when we have had to burn our light bright for prolonged periods of time. That is in analogue for having too much tejas (cellular intelligence or cellular metabolism) burning all the ojas (cellular life force or cellular structural force).

When Pitta dosha accumulates, the digestive fire may become tikshna (sharp, but weak)- strong appetite, but poor digestion arising from accumulation of toxins. These type of chronic fatigue syndrome is often associated with the liver so one could have a viral infection affecting the liver (Epstein-Barr Vius, hepatitis etc).

Pitta type fatigue often manifests as fibromyalgia or fibromyositis. If pitta has moved into fatty tissue, you might experience profuse sweating and diarrhea after eating fatty foods

Neem, guduchi, amalaki, brahmi, aloe vera gel might assist you if you are experiencing Pitta-derived CFS

Kapha type CFS

In kapha accumulation CFS, dullness is often the first and most prominent symptom. When kapha goes into tissues, it might cause general swelling and you might experinece swelling of the lymph nodes. If it goes into blood, it often manifests as megaloblastic anemia and can be related to leucopenia. If it has gone into fatty tissues you might have lipomas and fatty liver.

Usually a person with kapha type CFS fills the criteria only once the kapha accumulates to fatty tissue.

Shiljit, mahasudarshan and ginger might be your choies to improve kapha-related CFS.

Regular Medicine nowadays has following treatments for CFS

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)

• a structured exercise programme called graded exercise therapy (GET)

• medicine to control pain, nausea and sleeping problems

Go Herbal?

Herbal medicine introduces a concept of adaptogens - herbs that in mindful amounts don't cause any side effects, but rather harmonize the bodies different exertiens and accumulations

Herbal treatments for CFS include consumins ginseng (Panax spp), Rhodiola rosea, holy basil (Ocimum sanctum) and many others. I truly hope to focus more onherbal medicines in the nearest future.

All in all CFS is a complex condition.

Ayurveda focuses on improving the bala which is overall strength, sometimes inter-translated as the immune strength.

There are certain overall suggestions such as reducing sexual activity, avoiding strenuous exercise. Not working in the hear or under the sun and minimizing activites where you mentally or physically feel the stress (the setpoints for that, howver might vary to a large degree due to perceptional varieties).

A very important concept is restoring the life force of the cells which often involves replenishing the body with nutrients. That, however, is a whole another topic

Hope you have enjoyed this insight

Mayoclinic: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360490

Ayurvedic perspectives on selected pathologies, Vasant D. Lad, 2018

Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care, Maria Noel Groves, 2016