| Many of my male patients complain of being tired, | | | | instead! |
| stressed out, and just feeling like they're burning | | | | Still other researchers feel CFS may be caused |
| the candle at both ends! I like to call this "too busy | | | | by other physical conditions, such as mercury |
| syndrome", fatigue that's caused by overly-busy | | | | dental fillings, low thyroid, low blood sugar, |
| schedules and not enough down-time to just | | | | insomnia, or even a nutritional deficiency! |
| hang-out and relax. | | | | Whatever the various possible causes, there |
| There is a difference, however, between | | | | seems to be an association between CFS and |
| "too-busy tired" and the debilitating exhaustion | | | | stress which may trigger the condition. |
| associated with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). | | | | CFS and Guy Issues |
| Let me share with you some of the facts | | | | Unlike women who suffer from CFS, managing |
| regarding chronic fatigue syndrome, particularly | | | | the illness can pose unique problems for men. First |
| how it affects men, and what you can do to | | | | of all, most men do not express their feelings |
| prevent and treat it. | | | | easily, even when feeling sick, and visit doctors |
| What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | less often causing them to suffer in silence. |
| Statistics show that between 100,000 and | | | | Secondly, men's perception of their worth is |
| 250,000 Americans suffer from chronic fatigue | | | | typically tied to their career, earning potential, and |
| syndrome with some researchers believing the | | | | or their ability to take care of themselves or a |
| levels are actually higher than that. | | | | family. When a man starts having chronic |
| There is a misconception that chronic fatigue | | | | symptoms, he may feel less masculine, afraid, or |
| syndrome is more common in women than it is in | | | | try to ignore his symptoms. In some cases men |
| men. For this reason, CFS may have gone | | | | may push even harder to maintain a private and |
| undiagnosed in men. Also, men don't visit doctors | | | | public expectation, which only adds to their fatigue. |
| as often as women. The fact is, while women are | | | | What You Can Do |
| 3 times more likely to get CFS, men DO get it as | | | | When male patients do come to me with |
| well. | | | | CFS-sounding complaints, I favor a natural, more |
| Both male and female CFS sufferers share many | | | | self-managing, approach using nutritional (diet and |
| of the same symptoms and levels of functioning | | | | vitamins), along with lifestyle adjustments, in |
| disability. It can be difficult to diagnose CFS | | | | treating their symptoms. Below are some |
| because the symptoms can be different from | | | | strategies that I use in managing CFS:o Vitamin |
| person to person. | | | | therapy: Men need higher doses of all the B |
| The reason CFS is hard to diagnose is because | | | | vitamins which can boost energy levels. Vitamins |
| the symptoms can mimic other health issues like | | | | C, E, and beta-carotene are antioxidants that also |
| flu, mononucleosis, fibromyalgia, or even | | | | help fight viruses. Vitamin D helps boost the |
| depression! However, researchers have identified | | | | immune system.o Mineral therapy: Calcium, |
| these common complaints that occur in 85 to | | | | magnesium, and manganese. These three minerals |
| 100% of CFS sufferers:o Persistent, life-altering | | | | are crucial in energy production.o Diet therapy: A |
| fatigue not related to exertion, not relieved by | | | | well-balanced diet with 6-8 fruits, vegetables, |
| rest.o Four or more of the following symptoms | | | | higher protein, high fiber, complex carbohydrates. |
| that have been present for 6 months:o Short | | | | Limit refined sugars, caffeine, and fat. Add |
| term memory impairmento Impaired mental | | | | acidophilus to aid the immune system, drink 48-64 |
| function/lack of concentration, brain fog, | | | | oz water daily.o Lifestyle therapy: Minimize |
| depressiono Sore throato Swollen lymph nodeso | | | | emotional/physical stressors. Get enough sleep, |
| Low grade fevero Muscle/joint pain without | | | | supplements such as melatonin can help. Get |
| redness/swellingo Unusual (for you) headacheso | | | | regular, moderate exercise that you can sustain, |
| Sensitivity to smells, noise, light, medications, | | | | like casual walking, bicycling, or swimming. Yoga |
| foodo Sleep disorders, too much, inability to | | | | and Tai-Chi can help de-stress you.o Counseling: |
| sleepo Impaired immune function - Candida | | | | Men need to talk about their feelings, how being |
| infections, allergies. | | | | chronically sick is affecting their personal |
| What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? | | | | relationships and their career life. One-on-one, or |
| Researchers are not quite sure what causes | | | | group therapy, can help restore a man's loss of |
| chronic fatigue syndrome. There are some who | | | | self-esteem and give him a sense of support and |
| favor viral causes from several different possible | | | | camaraderie amongst other men during the illness. |
| viruses including herpes simplex, the virus that | | | | Though diagnosing chronic fatigue syndrome in |
| commonly causes cold sores. Epstein-Barr, the | | | | men can be difficult, treatment of it doesn't have |
| virus that causes mononucleosis is another | | | | to be. If you experience any of the symptoms |
| possible cause. | | | | mentioned above, don't hesitate to call your |
| There are others who think that CFS is an | | | | doctor. Together you can decide on the best |
| autoimmune disorder, as seen in lupus, or allergic | | | | treatment for managing your CFS symptoms. |
| individuals, or rheumatoid arthritis, where the | | | | Many of the nutritional suggestions listed here can |
| immune system ramps up into high gear to fight | | | | also help prevent CFS as keeping a healthy |
| invading organisms and winds up attacking itself | | | | immune system is a key to staying healthy! |