Thanks!

Dear Reader,

Fad diets and new supplements may claim to work miracles, but the fact is a person may feel constantly fatigued from a variety of factors. Some are easily identified, such as pulling a week's worth of all-nighters or running multiple back to back marathons. Other times, the fatigue may be an indicator or symptom of an illness like the cold or flu in the body. Additionally, a similarly-named medical condition exists and is known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). Patients with CFS experience extreme fatigue that does not improve with adequate rest and sleep. This fatigue may worsen when s/he undergoes a normal level of physical or mental activity. Other symptoms of CFS may include:

• sore throat
• enlarged lymph nodes
• loss of memory or concentration
• unexplained muscle soreness
• headaches

Unfortunately, CFS has no known cause, although several theories exist. Some of these theories are diet-related, such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and iron deficiency anemia, while others link it to viral infections, e.g., Epstein-Barr or human herpes virus 6.

The latter hypothesis seems to be the most commonly-held belief by the medical community, although it has yet to be verified definitively. Because CFS may be caused by a virus, there is still no well-established and effective cure for it. Health care providers often focus on alleviating some of the symptoms and coping with CFS. This may include getting gradual but steady exercise, eliminating psychological and physical stressors from your environment, and pacing yourself during activities.

Medications to treat low blood pressure, pain, allergies, psychological conditions, and other ailments associated with CFS may also be prescribed. While there are currently no known foods, food groups, diets, or vitamins that improve or decrease energy levels in CFS patients, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which includes limiting caffeine, eating a balanced diet, and drinking plenty of fluids. Speak to a health care provider before beginning any treatment of CFS. Students at Columbia can call x4-2284 or log on to Open Communicator to make an appointment with a health care provider.

For more information on CFS, including other tips on managing the illness, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's CFS Treatment Options: Coping and Managing website and the American Academy of Family Physicians' Chronic Fatigue Syndrome website.

If you are experiencing continuous fatigue, an important consideration is to arrange your life so you can achieve a balance of working, eating healthfully, exercising moderately, and resting enough. Good luck as you sort out your symptoms and the possible root causes,

Alice

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