Chronic Fatigue

ABOUT

CFS is often referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). There is some debate over the correct terminology, however, both are debilitating long-term conditions that can severely impact day-to-day life. CFS can affect anyone, but is more common in women, and is most likely to develop between mid-20’s and mid-40’s. 

We adopt a functional medicine approach which is designed to look for the underlying cause of CFS. We already understand that this condition could well have a wide range of different triggers. For example, many people who suffer from CFS also have gut problems such as irritable bowel syndrome or a leaky gut. 

Symptoms

Stress and high-intensity exercise can make symptoms worse, and severity of symptoms can vary from day to day.

• Flu-like symptoms and feeling generally unwell
• Heart palpitations
• Cognitive issues – difficulty concentrating / poor memory

• Pneumonia and other bacterial infections
• Deficient immune system
• Potential genetic link 

There are several risk factors and underlying health conditions that can contribute to the development of CFS. Each individual underlying cause may completely change the necessary tests required and the treatment. For this reason, the entire picture needs to be evaluated to determine the right approach in each case.

Treatment

CFS is usually a symptom-based diagnosis, however, there are a number of functional tests that we run to help identify issues that may be driving the condition.

Our approach is to look at the body as a whole, rather than concentrating on just one area. Just like peeling back the layers of an onion, we investigate each patient’s unique situation to reveal the unique root causes behind their illness.

We often create a timeline based on the clients medical history to document the progression of CFS and identify contributing factors.

After a thorough interview, medical history and relevant laboratory tests, we usually have a much better understanding of the potential underlying causes. This allows us to develop an appropriate treatment plan tailored to each individuals unique situation. 

Some of our methods:

• We test to identify nutritional status which can reveal any vitamin and mineral deficiencies that may be affecting energy production. These tests can also expose potential microbiome imbalances and intestinal permeability (leaky gut) that may cause malabsorption or blood sugar imbalances, which can affect energy levels.

• We asses the adrenal function which can detect any imbalances of DHEA and cortisol, which can affect circadian rhythm. An imbalance of these hormones can affect sleep patterns, energy levels and emotional state.

• We also look into any underlying viral infections (such as Epstein-Barr, CMV and Herpes), as well as heavy metal toxicity which can impact the body’s ability to detoxify effectively and can affect energy levels.

Read more about CFS.

Schedule an appointment in our London clinic, or via an online consultation

If you are struggling with unrelenting fatigue, don’t hesitate to reach out.  We are committed to helping you get your energy and health back, book a consultation today.

Please give us a call on 0203 332 0030.

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