MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS, or ME/CFS is a multi-system disease, a chronic disease that frequently follows a viral infection, such as EBV, Ear infections, Hepatitis, Glandular fever or Covid. Treatment is long term, and consistency is important.
Fatigue and low energy in spite of adequate rest could be due to chronic and lingering inflammation.
Inflammation that sticks around even though it’s not needed, is going to use up a bunch of your energy, and there is a strong links between chronic inflammation and chronic fatigue in post-viral syndromes. Brain fog is common in M.E. and CFS, and could be caused by low-level brain inflammation that literally makes it harder for you to think. So is there help? Is there a way to treat this disabling condition?
ME or CFS t is characterized by:
Disabling fatigue
Exhaustion
Muscle pain
Headaches
Joint pain
Confusion
Poor concentration
Poor memory
Insomnia
Light-headedness
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Eye pain
Light sensitivity
Gastrointestinal disturbances
Abdominal pain
Depression
Fever
Chills
Night sweats
A recurrent sore throat
Lymph node tenderness
Skin rashes
Neurological complaints
Acute Stage:
Continuous or repeated flu-like symptoms
Blocked or runny nose
Chills
Swollen glands
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cough
Fatigue
Lack of energy
Exhaustion or Burnout
Weariness
Lack of expression
Memory loss
Lack of concentration
Reduced capacity for work
Insomnia
dizziness
Nervousness
General migratory soreness and pain in the:
Muscles
Neck
Head
Body
Stomach
Ribcage area, or below ribs
Abdomen
Chronic Stage:
The acute symptoms may recur occasionally
General exhaustion
Fatigue
Insomnia
Drowsiness
Forgetfulness
Reduced or lost capacity for work
Easily infected by pathogenic factors
Aching or pain in the muscles
Symptoms vary in type but also in severity, ranging from mild to severe. An estimated one in four patients are housebound or bed bound. In Western Medicine diagnosis is based on “diagnosing an illness”, and treatment may help symptoms, but there is no actual cure.
However, in Chinese Medicine, the whole human is diagnosed in addition to the signs and symptoms experienced, and the method used to diagnose is called a “pattern of disharmonies.” Several patterns can be present simultaneously, and the diagnosis should be done by a licensed acupuncturist. Self diagnosing is usually not as effective. Because of the individual irregularities in the pattern of disharmonies, the herbal medicine formula prescriptions usually have to be changed in some way. Sometimes an herb or two has to be removed, and other times, different herbs have to be added into the herbal medicine formula.
There are a number of “patterns of disharmonies” that are implicated in M.E. and some are listed below. There are many more possible patterns of disharmonies, and finding the right pattern will make the treatment more effective. Seek help with diagnosis and treatment for best results.
Shao Yang Jing:
Additional symptoms:
Alternating chills and fever
Restlessness
Irritability
Loss of appetite
Sometimes fatigue, sometimes better
Nausea
Occasional vomiting
Headaches (side of head)
Hypochondriac pain and fullness
Dry throat
Rib pain
Achiness
Ear infection
Hearing difficulty
Red eyes
Blurred vision
Stiff shoulders
Throat pain
Hip pain
T: Normal with bumps or dots on side
C: Thin white or White and slippery on one side only
P: Wiry
Herbal medicine Formulas:
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
With pronounced Dampness: Da Yuan Yin
Qi Deficiency with Dampness:
Additional symptoms:
A bloated sensation with pain in the Stomach
Abdominal distention
Borborygmus
A poor appetite
Loose stools
Lack of energy
Drowsiness
Shortness of breath
Reluctance to speak
Pale complexion
Puffy face
T: Pale
C: White
P: Thready and slippery
Herbal Medicine formulas:
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang (modified)
Damp heat in the Muscles:
Aches in the muscles
Fatigue
Sleepiness
Heavy sensation in the body or head
Muscle fatigue after even light exercise
Lack of appetite
A feeling of stuffiness in the chest or epigastrium
A sticky taste in the mouth
Lack of concentration
Foggy sensation in the brain
Short-term memory loss
Dull headache
T: Normal
C: Sticky and yellow
P: Slippery
With Heat predominant:
Thirst
Dark urine
Yellow vaginal discharge
Mucus in the stools
A burning sensation in the anus on defecation
Possible Blood in the stools
Possible night sweats
With Damp-Heat entering the Liver and Gallbladder:
A bitter taste in the mouth
Hypochondriac pain and distention
Possible jaundice
T.C.: Sticky and yellow on the sides
With Damp-Heat affecting the Bladder:
Urinary difficulty
Turbid urine
Burning urination
T.C.: Sticky and yellow at the root with red spots
With no Heat:
No thirst
T.C.: Sticky and white
Herbal Medicine Formulas:
Lian Po Yin
Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan
With dry stools: Huo Po Xia Ling Tang
For Dampness without Heat: Hou Po Xia Ling Tang
Dr. Anna Bäck
We can help
Finding the right combination of herbs can be a daunting task, we are here to help with both selection, and sending the perfect blend of herbs in an easy to take capsule.
Dr Anna Bäck Healing Center 
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