A recent study found that a certain subgroup of CFS patients may have a disordered breathing pattern, and might benefit from breathing retaining. 5 out of the 20 subjects that they studied had an asynchronous breathing pattern and could correct it with retraining. The study did not say whether there was any improvement in symptoms once this correction was made.
Recently ive seen a doctor who has recovered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
It turned out that he had an Epstein Barr infection and once he was treated antiviral drugs, he felt somewhat better, but was still sick.
A recent study corollated certain immune system markers to the severity of fatigue in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. It showed that those who had increased RNase L activity, RNase L cleavage, and Elastase activity had greater fatigue. CFS researchers found patients to have an abnormality in an antiviral pathway. This led them to have abnormal size molecules of an enzyme called RNase L. This causes the enzyme to not be an effective antiviral.
Insomnia is a major problem for many CFS and FMS patients.
It can be difficult for CFSers to keep a normal sleep schedule. They tend to have shifted sleep patterns which lead them to fall asleep and wake up much later than healthy people.
CFS patients may have an abnormal immune system. Hormones (cortisol), infections, or other factors may influence how our immune system reacts to bacteria, viruses, and non-harmful allergans. A type of white blood cell called a T-Helper cell, is created to fight infections, and some doctors think it may play a role in CFS and other diseases.
D-Ribose is a sugar (derived from glucose) that has been shown to boost levels of the energy compound ATP. Some studies have shown that CFS patients have lower than normal levels of ATP and D-Ribose could be used to increase energy production in the muscles and heart.
The increased levels of ATP may help relieve fatigue by provide the muscles with extra energy. D-Ribose also helps the body to recycle ATP, and use its own energy it has more efficiently.
A study by well know chronic fatigue specialist Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, has shown D-ribose to improve sleep, fatigue, concentration, pain and well-being in patients.
Dr. Sarah Myhill is a specialist in fatigue related illnesses and has worked in healthcare for over 20 years. I recently came across some of her papers that sum up what she believes is happening in CFS patients.
Dr. Myhill thinks that chronic fatigue patients have mitochondrial dysfunction. She states that “CFS is a symptom of mitochondrial failure“. She also says that the cognitive impairment many experience, be due to low blood (and oxygen) supply to the brain. There is a problem of reoccuring mitochonidrial damage must be put to a stop by providing the elements that they need to function.
Melatonin is an over the counter supplement that is used as a sleep aid. It is a natural occuring hormone that is secreted by the pineal gland and it has a strong effect on the bodies natural sleep/wake cycle. It can be used for jetlag to help reset the bodies internal clock.
Natural production of melatonin is increased when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Low levels of sunlight exposure can stop production of melatonin and lead to insomnia.
A recent PubMed article talks about the serotonin system being over-active in CFS patients. It states that genetic abnormalities were found in serotonin receptors of patients. They were all located in the same receptor subtype (5-HT receptor subtype HTR2A).
Another article dated 2001, says that researchers found evidence of increased serotonergic activity and elevated levels of a serotonin metabolites in patients. It also says that certain treatments that increased serotonin turnover rates, like NADH, led to an improvement in symptoms.
Here’s a great abstract about genomic studies that found different subgroups of CFS patients. It studied the gene expression of 88 Chronic Fatigue patients.
“Clinical features of each subtype were as follows: subtype 1 (cognitive, musculoskeletal, sleep, anxiety / depression); subtype 2 (musculoskeletal, pain, anxiety / depression); subtype 3 (mild); subtype 4 (cognitive); subtype 5 (musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal); subtype 6 (postexertional); subtype 7 (pain, infectious, musculoskeletal, sleep, neurological, gastrointestinal, neurocognitive, anxiety / depression). ”