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Holiday
Gift Idea - Give the Gift of Natural Healing
Clinic
Gift Certificates Available!
Looking for the perfect gift this holiday
season? Why not purchase a Wellness for the Body gift
certificate?! Certificates are available in any dollar
amount and can be used towards any therapy within
the clinic.
For
more information call - 905.465.4595
Unused
Group Benefits for 2006?
If so, take the opportunity to maximize
your benefits’ coverage. All our therapists are
registered in their respective therapies, allowing you
to benefit from any therapies covered by your group
insurance.
Call
today to book your appointment - 905.465.4595
Chronic
Fatigue
By
Banita Aggarwal, B.Sc, B.HSc, Hon. D. Ac
 DEFINTION
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a progressive condition
that involves fatigue which is sufficiently intense
and persistent, reducing normal daily activities by
at least 50% for a minimum of six months.
ETIOLOGY
It is not conclusive, but CFS may be precipitated by
infectious agents, herpes viruses, Candida albicans,
and parasitic agents. Therefore, CFS may be a multifactorial
pathologic entity with lifestyle and constitutional/psychological
makeup factor.
RISK FACTORS
-Stressed immune system caused by recent acute illness,
chronic health problems, emotional factors (anxiety,
depression) or poor nutrition
-Possibly environmental pollutants and contaminants
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
-Sudden
onset of severe fatigue, developing over a few hours
to a few days and often after an acute viral illness;
low grade fever (less than 100.4°F) and chills;
sore throat; myalgias and arthralgias; headaches; sleep
disturbances; decreased ability to concentrate or remember;
allergies; general muscle weakness
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
Rule out conditions producing fatigue.
-Fibromyalgia
-Psychiatric: extreme anxiety, depression
-Endocrine or metabolic: hypothyroidism, diabetes, pituitary
insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, hypercalcemia, Addison’s
disease, chronic renal failure
-Pharmacologic: sleeping pills, antihypertensives, or
tranquilizers
-Infectious: subacute bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis,
AIDS, syphilis, Lyme disease, intestinal parasites,
tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, fungal
disease
-Musculoskeletal disorders, neoplastic or hematologic
conditions
-Cardiopulmonary: chronic congestive heart failure,
chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases
-Immunologic: systemic lupus erythematosus, hypogammaglobulinemia
-Toxic disorders: lead or mercury poisoning
-Inadequate sleep or sleep apnea
TREATMENT
According to Western
medicine, antidepressants and other psychoactive drugs
appear to be most successful.
Acupuncture is an effective way in
alleviating the debilitating symptoms of chronic fatigue
and it works to strengthen overall vitality. Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) views CFS very differently from
Western medicine. The condition is a breakdown of the
immune system as a result of toxicity in the body caused
by one of four likely conditions: latent heat, damp
heat, blood deficiency or qi deficiency. Once the symptoms
and signs are analyzed the treatment principle is formed
with a prescription of acupuncture points according
to which syndrome you fall into.
The World Health organization lists
CFS as 1 of the 40 disorders responding favorably to
acupuncture.
Acupuncture offers a natural and alternative treatment
for this disorder, which has baffled western doctors
for years. By stimulating the acupuncture points, the
root of the problem is being treated. The appropriate
organ systems are stimulated to create more qi and blood
in the body as well to address specific symptoms.
TIPS
Other stress management techniques which may be helpful
for people with CFS is counseling, support groups, mediation,
tai chi, qi gong, and yoga.
Please call us
at 905.465.4595
for more information
and to book
your appointment with Banita.
For pricing information
please click
here.
Thought of the
Month
"Live simply. Love generously.
Care deeply. Speak kindly."
--- anonymous
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