Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Stem Cell Therapy

Chronic fatigue syndrome also known as myalgic encephalitis is a disorder in which an individual feels extremely tired, and this tiredness does not go away with rest. The mechanism behind this condition cannot be entirely explained yet. The etiology of this condition isn’t totally clear too. However, some factors have been implicated as causes of this disease. Some of these factors include physical exhaustion, stress, weakened the immune system. Also, infections can also cause this condition. Some health bodies have put forward the idea that chronic fatigue syndrome might be the final stage of different health conditions, instead of just one condition.

What Are The Risk Factors For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is more predominant among adults, especially in people between the ages of forty and fifty. Also, it has been observed that this syndrome occurs more in men than in women. Other risk factors for this syndrome are stress and genetic makeup.

Viral Infection

Another name for chronic fatigue syndrome is post-viral fatigue syndrome. Viral infections are an important risk factor for chronic fatigue syndrome. As an illustration, it was reported that about twenty-percent of those who suffered from infectious mononucleosis experienced had a prolonged tiredness for over six months., while about 10 percent of them had a definite case of chronic fatigue syndrome. There are some things that increase the risk of developing this syndrome after viral infections. Some of these factors include poor physical state, especially before the infection. In addition, people who had been feeling fatigued before the infection might have increased risks of having this syndrome.

 Signs And Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome vary from person to person. The symptoms also depend on the level of the severity, however, the general symptom is tiredness. To diagnose this syndrome, the individual must have been experiencing tiredness that doesn’t resolve with rest, for at least 6 months. Below are some of the other symptoms of this syndrome

1. Inability to partake in activities they could do without stress before they began feeling fatigued. This must persist for more than six months.
2. Insomnia and other irregular sleep patterns.
3. Inability to think straight: People affected by this condition, find it difficult making up their mind, and they always appear mentally tired.
4. Body discomfort: They experience muscle pain, headache and sometimes joint pain, that mimics arthritis.
5. Regular sore throat: This can be attributed to their weakened immune system. As expected, the cortisol level of the body rises when people are stressed. One of the main effects of cortisol is to weaken the immune system. The exposes the body to infections; some infections that the body immune system would normally fight off, easily overwhelm the body defense system.
6. People with this condition usually wake up feeling tired.
7. Tiredness that doesn’t resolve even after resting.
8. Gastrointestinal problems such as the Irritable bowel syndrome.
9. People affected with this disorder become overly sensitive to things such as loud music, noise, bright light and so on.

How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosed?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a difficult disease to diagnose. According to statistics, more than eighty-five percent of this syndrome cases are yet to be diagnosed. This can be attributed to the fact that there are no so many Chronic fatigue syndrome laboratories around, that can successfully test this syndrome. Also, the majority of people suffering from this disease do not show any symptom, so it’s common for doctors to miss the diagnosis. For this syndrome to be diagnosed, a patient must present with at least four of the symptoms listed above. However, there are some health conditions that share similar presentations with Chronic fatigue syndrome. Some of them are listed below;

1. Infectious mononucleosis: This is an infection, caused by the Epstein Barr virus. It’s more predominant in children. Patients do present with symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, lymphadenopathies and so on. This disease increases the risk of having the chronic fatigue syndrome.
2. Major depressive disorder: This is a condition in which an individual feels empty and hopeless. Depressed people tend to isolate themselves from other people. In severe cases, they might start having suicidal thoughts, and if left untreated, they can actually pull through with it. Depression is an important factor in the development of the chronic fatigue syndrome.
3. Hypothyroidism: This is a condition in which there is a low amount of thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. This can be due to various causes such as autoimmunity. Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism include cold intolerance, depression, fatigue, bradycardia and so on. Hypothyroidism causes fatigue by itself, thereby increasing the risks of causing chronic fatigue syndrome.
4. Systemic lupus erythematosus: This is an autoimmune disease in which the body immune system fails to recognize the body tissues and attacks it. Some of the symptoms of this disease are severe fatigue, pains, headache, anemia and so on. It surges the chances of having the chronic fatigue syndrome.
5. Lyme disease: This is an infection caused by the Borrelia bacteria, which is transmitted by tick bites. The signs and symptoms of Lyme disease include erythema migrans, fatigue, headache, and
6. Multiple sclerosis: This disease is also an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body T cells attack the nerve cells. The damage of the nerve cells leads to a decrease in the conduction of impulses along the nerves. The symptoms of this condition include eye impairments, fatigue, depression and so on.

How Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Managed Now?

There is no specific treatment for this condition, however, there a lot of management methods, that patients can benefit from. For example, participating more in exercises could reduce the symptoms of this condition. Also, consuming a meal that is well balanced, has a way of improving the symptoms. Others include behavioral therapy, which basically means speaking with a professional regularly.

Stem Cell Therapy

The management of this disease is in two ways. First, the immune system has to be regulated, and on the other hand, stem cell therapy increases the body’s ability to fight diseases, especially the viral diseases. The stem cells can be used to repair and replace the damaged nerve cells, especially when the disease is due to the damage to the neurons.

References

Cabane, J., Renaud, M. and Tiev, K. (2000). The Biorhythm of Fatigue in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 6(3-4), pp.109-116.

De Meirleir, K. and McGregor, N. (2003). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Guidelines. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 11(1), pp.1-6.

Jones, G. and Godlee, F. (2006). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 13(1), pp.69-70.

Underhill, R. and O’gorman, R. (2006). Prevalence of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Within Families of CFS Patients. Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 13(1), pp.3-13.