by, Jesse A. Stoff, MD, MDH, FAAFP (
Posted on southampton.patch.com on April 9, 2011
This week's question comes from M.M. in Tuckahoe: "Since I recently gave birth to my son, I have been so very fatigued, but all of my blood tests look “good.” Any thoughts? "
As with any health problem, in order to feel better you first have to know what’s wrong.Looking for a quick fix rarely gives lasting results. In fact, taking stimulants will, in the long run, usually make the problem worse, so put the coffee down and let’s sort this out. As with any problem, we start at the beginning with a differential diagnosis. Unfortunately, in the various textbooks of differential diagnosis, the list of illnesses that have fatigue as a major component of their presentation goes on for pages and pages of very small print. If the fatigue is really debilitating then that list has to be seriously looked at.
This
is where experience and common sense come in handy as a way to
eliminate most of the causes. For instance, since you recently gave
birth to your son (congratulations, by the way) then it’s a safe bet
that you don’t have prostate cancer. But, there is a variety of problems
with your endocrine system (balance of hormones) that can cause
severefatigue and are related to pregnancy. Some of these include
thyroid or adrenal imbalances and diabetes, just to get us started. The
“usual” blood tests won’t pick up an early thyroiditis, for example, as
special blood tests are needed and must be specifically ordered.During
pregnancy there are many changes that occur to your biochemistry. With
the increased demands placed upon it, nutritional deficiencies are a
real possibility. Since biochemistry underlies everything, if it gets
out of balance your hormones can quickly follow suit and a so called
post-partum depression may ensue, which often has fatigue as a prominent
symptom.
Furthermore, many changes occur to your immune system during those blessed 40 weeks which can result in the onset of new allergies, re-activation of a dormant viral infection or the development of an autoimmune problem where, again, severe fatigue is a leading problem.It’s not good medical practice to just do an Epstein-Barr VCA IgG antibody test, have it come back positive and say that you have “chronic fatigue syndrome” (CFS). To diagnose a chronic or reactivated EBV infection requires a six-antibody blood test panel; anything less is guess work. Also, according to the CDC, before you can diagnose CFS you must eliminate that looooong list of differential diagnoses, that I mentioned, and then methodically address the problems that show up. Taking short cuts won’t work. In the mean time, attend to what you can: a good, balanced, predominantly organic food diet; going to sleep —not to bed to read or watch TV —by 10 p.m. is very important; mild, regular exercise, plenty of water and enlisting help from hubby are all very helpful steps that you can take today and are not to be underestimated. Beyond that, a thorough medical evaluation followed by well coordinated integrative care is your best bet for regaining your health.Send in your questions and be well.
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This week's question comes from M.M. in Tuckahoe: "Since I recently gave birth to my son, I have been so very fatigued, but all of my blood tests look “good.” Any thoughts? "
As with any health problem, in order to feel better you first have to know what’s wrong.Looking for a quick fix rarely gives lasting results. In fact, taking stimulants will, in the long run, usually make the problem worse, so put the coffee down and let’s sort this out. As with any problem, we start at the beginning with a differential diagnosis. Unfortunately, in the various textbooks of differential diagnosis, the list of illnesses that have fatigue as a major component of their presentation goes on for pages and pages of very small print. If the fatigue is really debilitating then that list has to be seriously looked at.
Furthermore, many changes occur to your immune system during those blessed 40 weeks which can result in the onset of new allergies, re-activation of a dormant viral infection or the development of an autoimmune problem where, again, severe fatigue is a leading problem.It’s not good medical practice to just do an Epstein-Barr VCA IgG antibody test, have it come back positive and say that you have “chronic fatigue syndrome” (CFS). To diagnose a chronic or reactivated EBV infection requires a six-antibody blood test panel; anything less is guess work. Also, according to the CDC, before you can diagnose CFS you must eliminate that looooong list of differential diagnoses, that I mentioned, and then methodically address the problems that show up. Taking short cuts won’t work. In the mean time, attend to what you can: a good, balanced, predominantly organic food diet; going to sleep —not to bed to read or watch TV —by 10 p.m. is very important; mild, regular exercise, plenty of water and enlisting help from hubby are all very helpful steps that you can take today and are not to be underestimated. Beyond that, a thorough medical evaluation followed by well coordinated integrative care is your best bet for regaining your health.Send in your questions and be well.
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DR. JESSE A. STOFF is an internationally renowned physician with extensive credentials in clinical immunology and holistic medicine. A graduate of New York Medical College , he pursued extensive post-doctoral training including a fellow- ship at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in London , England
This article is produced and written by the writing team at IMMUNOLOGY TODAY- The Official Newsletter of Integrative Medicine of N.Y. of Westbury NY-- Edited and co-published by Dr. Jesse A. Stoff exclusively for the purposes of this blogpost (Immunology Today) and rejuvenatesoliutions.com The publisher(s) hold all rights (c) to all elements, images and content herein. All distribution, sharing or re-posting of this article is only with the express permission from Dr. Stoff and Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness). 265 Post Ave. Suite 380 Westbury, NY 11590 | 516.759.4200 | www.StoffImmunology.com. Rejuvenate! is a registered trademark of Intermedia Communications Ltd. All written content in this newsletter is produced by the Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) exclusively for private distribution at the Integrative Medicine of NY ©2016- All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness) and Dr. Jesse A. Stoff make no claims pertaining to any of the institutions or funding information listed, make no warranty or guarantee of funding, and bear no responsibility and disclaim any liability for the privacy of communications or the outcome of any applications for the listed resources. No further information about any of the institutions nor funding programs (other than the links and contact information listed here) is available. Written content provided in this article/blog is for informational purposes only; consult your physician before making any changes to your treatment plan.
