Find out how holistic medicine could help you manage your chronic fatigue.

With our modern lifestyle of “busyness” we may find ourselves feeling exhausted, drained, and ready to throw ourselves down on the couch after a long day. Is this feeling caused by lack of sleep, intensive work hours, and hectic schedules or could these symptoms be part of a larger problem like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)? From the office of our St. Louis, MO, holistic medicine doctor Dr. Tipu Sultan, here are the warning signs and how holistic medicine may be able to help,

• Enlarged lymph nodes, particularly in the neck or armpits
• Severe exhaustion for more than a day after intense physical activity or after expending a lot of mental energy
• Muscle aches and pains
• Headaches
• Poor, restless sleep
• Feeling exhausted despite getting enough sleep
• Sore throat
• Memory problems and trouble concentrating
• Mood swings

Feeling exhausted or fatigued can be caused by many things, from diseases and illnesses to situational circumstances; however, if you’ve been experiencing several of these symptoms for at least six months then it’s time to see our holistic doctor here in St. Louis, MO, to find out if you could have chronic fatigue syndrome.

Treating Chronic Fatigue through Holistic Care

While the cause of CFS is unknown there are certain factors that could predispose someone to developing this condition. During your initial visit, it’s important that we perform certain tests to look for viral infection, immune system disorders and problems, and hormonal imbalances (e.g. thyroid function tests). Sometimes by detecting these other health problems we can improve or even eliminate symptoms associated with CFS.

The difference between holistic medicine and traditional medicine is that we focus on treating the patient as a whole, using safe, effective, alternative therapies without resorting to medications that could cause additional problems or side effects.

How Dr. Sultan treats your situation will depend on several factors; however, most treatment options for CFS include:

• Taking certain supplements and herbs (e.g. ginseng; echinacea)
• Treating any underlying immune system or hormonal issues
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar and others processed foods
• Consuming a whole, unprocessed diet that is rich in vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium
• Getting regular exercise
• Find ways to reduce stress (whether through exercise or deep breathing and meditation)

Your doctor may also recommend other alternative therapies such as homeopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and massage therapy. Since many herbs and supplements can interact with prescription medications it’s important to speak with us first before taking any new supplements, vitamins, or herbs.

With the potential for Covid-19 to produce an uptick in chronic fatigue syndrome cases, we understand that many patients living in and around St. Louis, MO, may require alternative and holistic care to treat and manage their symptoms effectively. While we do offer telephone consultations at this time, we are also providing regular appointments for all patients dealing with non-respiratory related symptoms. To schedule an appointment, call Environmental Health & Allergy Center at (314) 921-5600.