Fatigue

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Q & A With Dr. Michael Wald

stresssleeping1. True or False: A depressed immune system is the primary cause of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

ANSWER: False – A depressed immune system is not the only cause of CFS, and may not be affected at all. Factors such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, heavy metal toxicity, food allergies, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar problems, cancer, various anemia’s, under-nutrition and/or malabsorption syndromes are just some of the possible causes and/or contributors of CFS.

2. Which of the following is the most likely cause of chronic fatigue syndrome?

a. Stress
b. Poor nutrition
c. Food and environmental toxins
d. Viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites
e. All of the above

ANSWER: D: However, all of the above can cause and or worsen CFS. There is no exact test that can diagnose CFS, a combination of tests that expand over several medical and nutritional specialties is often required. If a holistic, well-rounded approach is not used, the underlying, often hidden, cause(s) of CFS are undiscovered and thus improperly treated.

3. Which of the following are symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

a. Lack of energy, malaise
b. Joint pain, muscle soreness, tender points (with or without fibromyalgia)
c. Irritable bowel syndrome
d. Autoimmune reactions (allergies, rashes, etc)
e. All of the above

ANSWER: All of the above

4. True or False: Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome should consist of acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil) and/or
aspirin to relieve physical symptoms associated with CFS.

ANSWER: False, if you want to treat the underlying cause of the CFS. A person suffering from CFS does not have a “deficiency of aspirin,” for example. Remember, CFS is merely a “label”, a diagnostic term, and nothing more. Natural therapies focused on the underlying cause’s offer the potential for healing and not merely covering up symptoms. Often, medications for CFS often fail by nature of their non-specificity and have inherent risks, and should be considered last and not first resorts, for managing CFS.

5. True or False: Coconut oil may be one of the best solutions to chronic fatigue syndrome.

ANSWER: True – The fatty acids in coconut oil, lauric, capric and caprylic acid all have antibacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal properties that can be used as a natural treatment to CFS.

– Dr. Michael Wald, aka The Blood Detective, is the director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco, located in Westchester New York. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Channel 11 PIX, Channel 12 News, CNN, The Food Network and other media outlets. Dr. Wald earned the name Blood Detective for his reputation to find problems that are often missed by other doctors. He earned an MD degree, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified dietician-nutritionist. He is also double-board certified in nutrition. He has published over a dozen books with three additional titles due for release late 2013 including: Frankenfoods – Genetically Modified Foods: Controversies, Lies & Your Health and Gluten-A-Holic: How to Live Gluten Free and the Blood Detective’s Longevity Secrets. Dr. Wald can be reached at: www.intmedny.com or www.blooddetective.com or by calling: 914-242-8844.