What is chronic fatigue?
Chronic fatigue is currently considered to be a syndrome, this is, a set of symptoms that appear with no apparent cause nor any known physiological alteration. The symptoms that are most frequent are the following: extreme fatigue when doing normal tasks that persists even after resting, insomnia, pain, dizziness, difficulty thinking and concentrating, muscular or joint pain, sore throat and/or mood swings.
Why does it occur?
It has been shown that some people have a genetic predisposition to develop chronic fatigue. These people seem to have an altered sensitivity to physical or psychological stimuli, to which they respond inadequately.
Although CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) is a complex disease that is still difficult to diagnose, it is known that it appears in predisposed people due to one or more triggering factors:
2) Triggering factors:
One out of three cases of diagnosed CFS are going through or have gone through an infection. The virus that is most frequently associated with CFS is the Epstein-Barr virus. However, other viruses such as the cytomegalovirus, the flu, hepatitis C, enteroviruses or the parvovirus can also be involved in the development of the disease. Some of these viruses never disappear from the organism completely, they remain latent in nerve cells or immune cells, eventually altering their correct functioning.
Recurrent contact with toxins such as insecticides or cleaning products is another factor that may lead to CFS. These chemicals can sensitise neurons and harm them over time.
Environmental factors, constant physical or psychological stress as well as traumatic shock may as well trigger CFS.
Chronic fatigue syndrome & EBV
Fig. 1: For each patient, the role of EBV in CFS should be determined by a health professional according to the clinic and the laboratory findings.
There is a strong correlation between the Epstein-Barr virus infection and the triggering of CFS. In a 2013 study, it was observed that students aged 18 that had gone through an episode of infectious mononucleosis presented with abnormal fatigue even 6 months after the acute infection. Conversely, EBV has been detected in latent form in people suffering from CFS.
CFS has also been related to an acquired immunodeficiency that causes a decreased function of certain immune cells, particularly of Natural Killer cells, which are very important for the antiviral defence. This lowering of defences makes it easier for EBV to reactivate.
How to treat CFS? How does micro-immunotherapy help?
Recommendations must be made on the basis of each patient’s specific symptoms and risk factors involved. The aim is to minimise the risk factors and gradually increase tolerance to exertion.
Micro-immunotherapy is aimed at regulating the immune response so it can cope with potential aggressors effectively, and readjusting the imbalances caused by stress and other factors. It seeks to provide the organism with the necessary keys to cope with these alterations for itself.
Micro-immunotherapy can greatly contribute to the control of infections and viral reactivations (see EBV), persistent inflammation or chronic stress. It can be integrated into any personalised treatment strategy.
Are you a patient? Do you want to improve your health with micro-immunotherapy?
Check out our list of health professionals trained in micro-immunotherapy and get your personal consultation, or visit one of the clinicsoffering personalised, integrated treatments including micro-immunotherapy as an immunoregulatory approach.
- Holmes, G. P. et al. Chronic fatigue syndrome: A working case definition. Ann. Intern. Med. 108, 387–389 (1988).
- Klimas, N. G., Salvato, F. R., Morgan, R. & Fletcher, M. A. Immunologic abnormalities in chronic fatigue syndrome. J Clin Microbiol 28, 1403–1410 (1990).
- Abrutyn, S. & Mueller, A. S. A Prospective Study of Infectious Mononucleosis in College Students. 79, 211–227 (2015).
- Prins JB, van der Meer JW, Bleijenberg G. Chronic fatigue syndrome. Lancet. 2006 Jan 28;367(9507):346-55.
- Goertzel BN, Pennachin C, Coelho LS, Gurbaxani B, Maloney EM, Jones JF. Combination of single nucleotide polymorphisms in neuroendocrine effector and receptor genes predict chronic fatigue syndrome. Pharmacogenomics 2006;7:475–83.
- Wyller VB. The chronic fatigue syndrome-an update. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 2007;187:7-14.
- Klimas NG, Koneru AO. Chronic fatigue syndrome: inflammation, immune function, and neuroendocrine interactions. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2007 Dec;9(6):482-7.
Would you like to discover more about Micro-immunotherapy?
This is just a brief sum-up of the application of micro-immunotherapy. For further information, if you are a health professional, you can consult our specialised document on micro-immunotherapy through our Professional Area.
Discover more about micro-immunotherapy, by contacting us at micro-immunotherapy@micro-immunotherapy.com