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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a long term and recurring condition
for which the major symptom is extreme tiredness. Even when
the body is getting plenty of rest the individual still
feels exhausted.
The symptoms
associated with CFS are extremely varied but can include
any of the following: anxiety, depression, fever, headache,
insomnia, irritability, jaundice, changes in appetite, memory
and concentration problems, mood swings, sore throat and/
or swollen glands.
Because
the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome so closely resemble
those of flu and other viral infections, it is often mistaken
for other disorders. When diagnosing CFS there are two main
criteria used to separate it from other illness.
The first
is that the fatigue is persistent and does not go away,
even with bed rest. It must also be severe enough to reduce
daily activity by at least fifty percent for a minimum of
a six month period.
The second
criteria for diagnosing CFS is that the presence of other
chronic clinical conditions, including phychiatric disorders,
be ruled out.
Traditional
Chinese Medicine classifies chronic fatigue syndrome into
one or more of its organ systems: liver, spleen or kidney.
These organ systems cover nearly all of the symptoms experienced
by those with the disorder.
According
to TCM, the liver governs the tendons, sinews and ligaments,
so if the liver function is poor, there will be no energy
in the tissues and the motor system will be tired. Perhaps
of even greater importance, the liver governs the flow of
spiritual, mental and emotional energy, so if something
is causing depression or statnation of liver qi, the symptoms
listed in the western diagnosis above will result.
The
spleen governs flesh and muscle. If the flow of qi to the
spleen is impaired, the flesh and muscle feel weak and painful.
The spleen is also known as the "middle burner"
because it is the center of the digestive system. If it
is not functioning properly, it is unable to absorb nutrients
from the food and distribute them throughout the body which
in turn results in a general qi deficiency.
In Traditional
Chinese Medicine, when the kidney is strong and healthy,
it sends its essence to the brain via the spinal cord, and
the mind is alert and has good memory function. Persons
lacking in kidney energy experience foggy mental function.
The kidney energy must be restored in order to return to
clear thinking.
Improving
the functioning of these three organs is the key to helping
people with chronic fatigue syndrome according to the Chinese
system of medicine.
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