Hypothalamic dysfunction can cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

On Dr. Oz Show the topic was fatigue, including its most debilitating manifestation, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

Dr. Oz's guest Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, best-selling author of From Fatigued to Fantastic! (Avery Penguin Group) and Pain Free 1-2-3 (McGraw-Hill), suffered from CFS when he was in medical school and had to drop out for a year to recover. The disease left him homeless and sleeping on park benches, but this defining experience ignited a passion to learn everything he could about the disease and beat it.

"From that time, my medical career has been focused on finding effective treatment for CFS and its painful cousin fibromyalgia, which together afflict at least 12 million Americans," explained Dr. Teitelbaum, who serves as medical director of the national Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers www.fibroandfatigue.com. His landmark study on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Journal of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 8:2, 2001) showed that 91 percent of patients using his SHINE treatment protocol improved, with an average improvement in quality of life of 90 percent.

"SHINE stands for Sleep, Hormones, Infections, Nutrition and Exercise--the critical areas we focus on treating to help CFS patients get their lives back," said Dr. Teitelbaum. "Our free online symptom analysis program helps to streamline the process, customizing treatments that you and your physician can easily incorporate."

Although many stresses, including numerous infections, can trigger CFS, Dr. Teitelbaum identifies hypothalamic dysfunction as the mechanism responsible for the wide range of disabling and seemingly unconnected symptoms suffered by CFS patients. "If you're exhausted but can't sleep, experience brain fog, weight gain, achiness, and low libido--it's highly likely that you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," he explained. "When the system is over-stressed, the hypothalamus acts like a circuit breaker that shuts off the power to protect body and mind from further damage.

"I know what patients are going through," Dr. Teitelbaum concluded. "Regardless of what doctors may have told you in the past, this disease is real, but it is treatable and you can get your life back."

Comments

  1. Joanne Drayson Joanne Drayson United Kingdom says:

    All the above symptoms can also be caused by infection in many people's cases it has been found to be lyme Disease and others more recently suspected XMRV retro virus one has to wonder whether some of the sickest Lyme patients may even have both as they can come from the same infection pool ie. Murine.

    What a great pity Dr Oz has followed up more with the Lyme Disease debate.

    My 6 1/2 year illnees with Lyme is over and I am 100% well, what a waste if only their was more awareness about the illness and the disgraceful controversy that causes our doctors to be mis led.

    • Shannon Shannon United States says:

      Could you please tell me how you ended your battle with lyme? I have had chronic lyme for 4 years now. I do not want it to win. I am determined to win as you have. What where your treatment? Thank you!!

      Help from Michigan

  2. sharon levin sharon levin South Africa says:

    Hypothalmic Dysfunction is not even spoken about in this poor comment from a renowned integrative medical specialist! How disappointing for myself, so far away from USA and Dr Oz/Dr T etal- South Africa where I hold the position of Head of FM/CFS/ME/Adrenal Fatigue/ Support and Help both publically and in private practice Healthcare Consultant, Integrative, using all methods holistic and as head researcher, having to know  all that goes with all the conditions,medically too after being in remission for 17 uears. Hyothalmic Dysfunction/CNS/ANS/ENDOCRINE/PINEAL GLAND=all brain system have dysfunctioned!!!! If this is all Dr Oz and Dr T came up with, am glad and saddened at the same time that I appear to know much more than the so-called PUNDITS who are supposed to help the world with knowledge. Sharon Levin www.fibromyalgiasa.co.za/fmssha@ibi.co.za

  3. Sharon Levin Sharon Levin South Africa says:

    Have just commented Shannon - will re-iterate simply if that did not go through - GET INTEEGRATIVE MEDICAL HELP, DEALING WITH FUNCTIONAL  ANTI-AGING OF THE BRAIN AND BODY SYSTEMS AND ORGANS, bio kinetics when stronger, rehab physiatry for now, CLINICAL NUTRITION FOR LYME'S, FM, CFS, ADRENAL FATIGUE - 39 ELIMINATIONS. You will go through 1 week of detox, feel a bit 'siky', maybe 'headachy', but allow the toxins to leave body and stop Insulin Resistance, Reactive Hypoglycaemia (we all have these in common).

    Get REAL help from the above STRESS MANAGEMENT, NLP, CBT, COUNSELLING AS WELL. YOU CANNOT DO THIS ALONE - YOU NEED A TEAM (PREF QUALIFIED'S WHO HAVE HAD OUR CONDITIONS AND WON THE BATTLES. I am all the above because I was NOTHING BUT A VICTIM - anti-biotic regime nearly killed me, no 1 was HOLISTIC. I am available. [email protected] mobile 27828768777

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
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