hidden key logo spacer Hidden Key Help M.E.
Paul Hide - DCH, MBSCH

Email:paul.hide@talk21.com
hidden key logo
spacer Home
M.E. Symptoms
M.E. Treatments
Hypnotherapy CDs
About The Author
My Story
My Diary
Minerals
Vitamins
Contact



Site Map
spacer
 

SYMPTOMS . . . . . . . . .

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a long-term illness mainly characterized by severe tiredness and thinking difficulties. At its worst the illness can be severely debilitating. It is unfortunate that visually there seems to be little amiss other than perhaps a pallid appearance. This has often led to unfair accusations of malingering or feigning illness. In addition to the main symptoms there are often a number of others peripheral to these.

A collection of the symptoms that I have found are most commonly experienced by those with ME/chronic fatigue syndrome are listed here.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Alternative possible causes that might be worth exploring have been suggested at the end of each page.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cognitive Difficulties

Cognitive difficulties are difficulties with thinking. Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffer an exhaustion or interruption of everyday cognitive processes. Symptoms include difficulties with memory recall, speech or information processing, finding the right words or organising thoughts. These symptoms have often been termed as 'brain fog', which is characterised by feeling dopey or drugged.

Possible Causes

  • a distinctive lack of blood flow to the brain found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, which has been termed 'brain asthma'
  • food sensitivity or allergy - these can be tested for or an elimination diet may be helpful
  • vitamin or mineral deficiencies - these can be tested for
  • toxins in the blood flow - perhaps consider antioxidants such as vitamin E

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Digestive System Problems

A large number of people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffer digestive system problems. These problems range from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to nausea, loss of appetite, indigestion, excessive wind, bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhoea and constipation.

Possible Causes Digestive system problems may be physical or stress related. Stress can direct the body's focus away from the digestive system leading to problems in that area - HYPNOTHERAPY may be of particular use here. Food sensitivities like lactose intolerance can be a problem - try an elimination diet. IBS symptoms have been known to be worsened by:

  • fried and fatty foods - these can cause the colon to contract
  • spicy foods - these can cause diarrhoea
  • caffeine
  • foods that are known to cause flatulence like cabbage, brussel sprouts or baked beans
  • sweeteners like mannitol and sorbitol - these can cause wind and diarrhoea
  • smoking cigarettes

Additional information

Bio-yoghurts or probiotics may be helpful. Some people have found real peppermint tea or real ginger tea helpful in combating these problems. It has been hypothesised that digestive system malfunction may be partially to blame for symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. This malfunction may create increased sensitivities, allergies, toxins in the bloodflow, vitamin or mineral deficiencies and even candida albicans overgrowth (See Anti-candida diet under treatments). These problems would then worsen the ability of the digestive system to work properly.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Malaise

General malaise is a term used to describe feeling unwell. Fluctuating flu-like symptoms that can be described as general malaise are typically suffered by those with chronic fatigue syndrome. A sore throat with or without swollen glands can often be present at the start of the illness. Symptoms like sinusitis or earache may also be present.

Possible Causes

  • a malfunctioning or overactive immune system
  • allergies - these can be tested for by your doctor or a private company such as http://www.biolab.co.uk/
  • toxins in the blood flow - try antioxidants such as vitamin E

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Headaches

It is very common for those with chronic fatigue syndrome to suffer severe headaches. There are three main forms of headaches:

  • tension headaches - often caused by muscle tension in the head and neck, which are characterised by dull steady pressure
  • migraines - tend to originate with constriction and expansion of blood vessels in the head. The throbbing pain can be accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light or noise
  • cluster headaches - agonising headaches that come and go

Possible Causes

  • dehydration - night sweats or irritable bowel syndrome can make this worse. Steering clear of diuretics like caffeine products or alcohol is a good idea
  • stress - seek out a relaxing environment and positive thinking - aromatherapy, meditation or hypnotherapy, may be of particular use in this case
  • chemical toxins - anti-oxidants like vitamin E might be helpful in a few cases
  • neurological malfunction - perhaps part of the illness, perhaps vitamin or mineral deficiency - magnesium or vitamin B6 supplementation may be helpful
  • food sensitivity or allergy - these can be tested for or an elimination diet may be helpful. Foods with the amino acid, tyramine within them are strong candidates. These include cured and processed meats, nuts, aged cheeses, chocolate and red wine
  • low blood sugar level
  • excess vitamin or mineral intake
  • drug side-effect
  • caffeine withdrawal
  • menstrual or hormonal symptom

Additional Information

Other remedies claimed to help headaches include:

  • lavender or lavender oil fragrance
  • peppermint or peppermint oil fragrance
  • ginger
  • feverfew extract
  • flax seed oil

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hearing Problems

Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffer the severe aggravation of the inner ear. These symptoms can include noise sensitivity, a rushing sound in the ears, tinnitus (excessive noise or ringing in the ears) or earache.

Possible Causes

These could be caused by a distinctive lack of blood flow to the brain found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. This has been termed 'brain asthma' and causes a lack of energy supply to this area. Tinnitus is caused by a malfunction of the part of the brain that would normally filter out the working noises of the brain. This is often happens because of tiredness or stress. Earache can be caused by an inflammation of the inner ear, in which case drinking plenty of warm fluids may help.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Insomnia

Unfortunately insomnia is a very common complaint amongst those with chronic fatigue syndrome. Symptoms include inability to sleep, unrefreshing sleep, waking in the early hours unable to return to sleep, sleep reversal (for example, sleeping from 4am till midday) and vivid dreams and nightmares. There is evidence to suggest that children with chronic fatigue syndrome may actually sleep far too much, causing other problems.

Possible Causes

  • discomfort (for example muscle tics) added to irritability - consider magnesium deficiency
  • anxiety and stress - consider relaxation therapies such as aromatherapy, meditation or hypnotherapy
  • a lack of blood flow to the brain and specifically to the hypothalamus which deals with sleep
  • the complete change in activity cycle forced by chronic fatigue
  • poor digestion leading to vitamin or mineral deficiency - these can be tested for

Additional Information

Try ingesting a small amount of turkey, chicken, banana or milk before bedtime as they contain tryptophan, which is used by the brain for sleep. Some people find camomile tea helpful. Avoid large meals, caffeine or nicotine late in the evening. My hypnotherapy sessions on CD may be particularly helpful here.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Muscle Pain or Weakness

Muscles feeling extremely weak and shaky, sometimes even being painful is a feature distinctive of chronic fatigue syndrome. This symptom can occur 24 hours after activity. It may be further made worse by:

Possible Causes

At the moment it is not understood what processes are causing this problem. Further research needs to take place for this to become clear.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Muscle Twitches & Cramps

Muscle twitches and cramps can be an annoying or painful part of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Possible Causes Muscle twitches are sometimes known as 'tics'. They could be a sign of magnesium deficiency or just a nervous system malfunction. Muscle cramps can be caused by dehydration and potassium deficiency (or a potassium-sodium imbalance), but again could also be a nervous system malfunction. Diuretics like alcohol, caffeine and some blood pressure drugs and also night sweats can cause dehydration and loss of potassium.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Night Sweats

Those with chronic fatigue syndrome can often suffer extreme sweating periods during the night. The sweating can occur to such an excessive degree that the bed is literally soaked in sweat. This can even cause dehydration.

Possible Causes These night sweats are normally indicative of the immune system trying to fight off an infection. However this could also be caused by immune system dysfunction. Persistent Fatigue Chronic fatigue syndrome is obviously characterised by fatigue, but it is post-exertional fatigue that is distinctive to this illness. Post-exertional fatigue is an abnormal exhaustion that occurs after doing things that wouldn't normally make a person feel tired. It can even take place a day or two after a period of mental or physical activity. This can be used to help doctors to make a diagnosis. The fatigue experienced by those with chronic fatigue syndrome persists even after rest or a night's sleep. This fatigue may be made worse by:

  • food sensitivities and allergies - these can be tested for or an elimination diet may be helpful
  • vitamin or mineral deficiencies - these can be tested for
  • toxins in the blood flow - antioxidants such as vitamin E may be helpful.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Photo-sensitivity

Photo-sensitivity affects a number of chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers. This seems to be partially caused by an inability of the iris part of the eye to contract. Normally the iris would contract like a camera lense to stop excessive light entering the eye. When this doesn't happen everything can seem rather bright.

Possible Causes It would seem that there may be a weakness of the muscles even here. It may also be caused by neurological problems such as migraine. An unusual visual disturbance can be caused by what is known as an ocular migraine which actually has no associated other symptoms. Hyperventilation can also make vision seem bright.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pins & Needles

Some sufferers of chronic fatigue syndrome are affected by the sensation known as 'pins and needles'.

Possible Causes

  • poor circulation if mainly in extremities - cold showers may possibly be helpful
  • nervous system problem as part of the illness
  • vitamin or mineral deficiency particularly vitamin B12 - these can be tested for
  • Hyperventilation, perhaps due to stress - some people have found gentle yoga helpful
  • drug side-effect
  • chemical toxins - antioxidants such as vitamin E might be helpful
  • food sensitivity or allergy - these can be tested for or an elimination diet may help
  • diabetes
  • hypothyroidism

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Poor Circulation and Temperature Control

There certainly seems to be a problem with circulation in chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers, often causing poor temperature control. The World Health Organisation has noted that sufferers exhibit a distinct lack of bloodflow to the brain. This has been termed 'brain asthma'.

Possible Causes

  • Thicker blood with increased red cell size or increased numbers of white cells - blood thinners like aspirin may help
  • The cardio-vascular system could be weaker - there is research currently taking place looking at the role that vitamin D plays in the cardio-vascular system
  • 'Brain asthma' might complicate matters by causing the part of the brain which deals with the cardio-vascular system to malfunction. 'Brain asthma' is a term used to describe a distinctive lack of blood flow to the brain in those with chronic fatiguesyndrome

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reactive Depression

In the case of chronic fatigue syndrome it is not surprising that a number of sufferers experience reactive depression. This is not to be confused with organic depression, which is caused by a chemical imbalance or brain damage. Reactive depression is that caused by a reaction to one's perceived situation. A simple question can differentiate between people with chronic fatigue syndrome suffering reactive depression and those with organic depression. Ask both groups what things they would do if they were well. The people with chronic fatigue syndrome tend to give a number of answers. Those suffering from organic depression don't tend to give answers at all.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vertigo

People with chronic fatigue syndrome can sometimes suffer vertigo, dizziness and difficulties with balance. This can also cause nausea and disorientation. If suffered along with feeling faint and shaky it may be a sign of low blood pressure.

Possible Causes

  • a distinctive lack of blood flow to the brain found in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, which has been termed 'brain asthma'
  • food sensitivities or allergies - these can be tested for or an elimination diet may be useful
  • vitamin or mineral deficiencies - these can be tested for
  • toxins in the blood flow - perhaps consider antioxidants such as vitamin E
  • hyperventilation - breathing exercises may be useful and some people have found gentle yoga helpful
  • drug side-effect

 

 

 
     
  print this pagePrint this page  
  spacer  

HEALME Hypnotherapy CDs - now available

These three CDs, using techniques honed over years of practice will quickly put you on the path to recovery. To purchase click here.

Paul Hide - D. Hyp, MBSCH - Hypnotherapy © MMXII