Susceptibility to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
As stated elsewhere on this website, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is usually a reaction to a chronic illness or disease. It can also arise from chronic discomfort of any kind. For example, people who are always in pain, such as from joint inflammation secondary to osteoarthritis, experience a “wearing-down” of the body. This systemic drain can make one liable to develop Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Not everybody develops Chronic Fatigue Syndrome as a reaction to a chronic problem. We often experience what may be termed “a jolt to the system.” This may be an acute injury, a transient infection, an emotional surprise, or any of the multiple traumas that encompass life. When the human body is shocked, its defenses are compromised. At this time and for a variable period, the person becomes disposed to developing other illness.

The progression to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome requires an underlying systemic weakness. This may not even be obvious to the individual before symptoms of exhaustion begin to appear. Being at risk for any illness is a pre-requisite to acquiring the illness.

The development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, like that of most illnesses, is insidious. The possible long delay between the initial insult and the appearance of the seemingly unrelated lack of energy obscures the connection between the two.

Thus, people become susceptible to the complication of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome just as they become prone to disease in general. This vulnerability arises in part because of negative health influences. By this I mean the many ways we lessen our health, including harmful substances we may ingest, weather dietary or otherwise. When I teach patients about preventing illness, I spend a lot of time discussing these influences.

Another source of susceptibility to disease is the lack of having positively worked at being healthy. Certainly, as I love to teach in my clinic, there are many aspects to a healthy lifestyle that we should all be practicing for the benefit of lifelong vigor and well-being.

More About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Origin of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome