1. Chronic Infections May Be a Cause
Chronic infections with energy-depleting viruses may be a cause of chronic fatigue syndrome in some people. Most people get exposed to at least one or two chronic viruses in their lives, but those viruses usually remain dormant and don't cause problems. However, if you experience a lot of stress, a significant illness or some other kind of major upheaval in your life, the viruses you've been exposed to in the past can become activated. While most chronic viruses will not make you violently ill, they will make you tired and put you in a state of sub-optimal health. Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, the herpes virus and the coxsackie viruses are some of the most common energy-sapping chronic viruses to which humans may be exposed.
2. Chemical Sensitivities May Play a Role
Because chronic fatigue syndrome is a complicated illness, not everyone may get it the same way. For some people, chemical sensitivities may be the culprit. In our modern world, we're all exposed to a wide variety of chemicals each day. We encounter them in the home, office, school and on the road. These chemicals are in plastics, fuel, cleaning products and a huge array of other everyday items. Our ancestors were not exposed to most of these chemicals, and for some people, constant exposure starts to overwhelm their immune systems. The overwhelmed immune system ceases to function properly, and chronic fatigue syndrome is the result.
3. Chronic Stress Can Sometimes Cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Oxidative stress may cause chronic fatigue syndrome in some people. We've all heard about free radicals and how they contribute to disease through the breakdown of our cellular defenses. Normally, taking antioxidants, exercising and eating healthy foods will clean up free radicals in the body and keep us healthy. However, some people get exposed to more free radicals than their bodies can handle, either through prolonged stress, poor diet or other reasons. When free radicals are allowed to freely roam the body, the immune system can become damaged, resulting in chronic fatigue syndrome.
