Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

A common agnogenic illness known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by unexplained fatigue lasting at least six months and four or more of the following symptoms: long-lasting fatigue following physical activity, headaches, sore throats, sensitive lymph nodes, sore throats, tight muscles, and short-term memory problems. CFS, which affects 2% of adults and 1% of adolescents in Australia, has a significant negative impact on work and life while also imposing a significant social burden.

The cause of CFS is still unknown despite the fact that there are numerous theories explaining it, and significant advancements in treatment have not been made in. Therefore far, the most promising treatments for CFS are cognitive behavior therapy and graded exercise programs. Western medications do not appear to be very useful in curing the condition. Clinicians started to turn their attention to complementary and alternative medicine since the general efficacy of western medicine's treatments was low.

Clinicians are drawn to acupuncture and moxibustion because they have the ability to modify the organ function of traditional Chinese medicine, such as zhang and fu, and because they can be selected in a variety of ways based on the characteristics of the patients. For example, research has demonstrated that acupuncture stimulation can lessen neuroinflammation and prevent the activation of microglia, both of which are implicated in the pathophysiology of CFS. Additionally, by upregulating progranulin (PGRN) expression in the hippocampal regions, moxibustion may have an impact on CFS.

Additionally, studies have demonstrated that Chinese herbal medicine can enhance CFS treatment's clinical success. The theory of traditional Chinese medicine holds that the state of the spleen, liver, heart, and lungs are strongly associated with the symptoms of CFS. By strengthening oxidation-resisting, scavenging free radicals, decreasing metabolite buildup, and addressing problems like the ultrastructure of skeletal muscle cells being destroyed or the nervous system malfunctioning due to exhaustion, TCM herbal medicine can have anti-fatigue effects. For example, Yi Qi Sheng Jin Fang dramatically increases CD4 cells, IgG, IgA, and IgM levels, and NK cell activity in order to produce its anti-fatigue effect. Eight Treasures soup has the ability to lower the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in skeletal muscle, raise SOD activity, efficiently eliminate free radicals, strengthen the antioxidant effects, and support the recovery from tiredness, prolong the duration of exercise, and increase exercise capacity.

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