Chronic fatigue syndrome: influence of histamine, hormones and electrolytes

Med Hypotheses. 1993 Jan;40(1):55-60. doi: 10.1016/0306-9877(93)90197-x.

Abstract

The chronic fatigue syndrome is poorly understood. We believe the underlying causes in many atopics and women are a persistent infection and hypersensitivity to the immune-suppressive effects of histamine and certain pathogens. We believe much to the symptomatology can be explained by all four types of hypersensitivity (Gell and Coombs classification) in reaction to a pathogen, electrolyte disturbances which include sometimes permanent changes in cell membranes' ability to pass electrolytes, sometimes permanent biochemical changes in mitochondrial function, and disturbances of insulin and T3-thyroid hormone functions. We also explain in detail what 'fatigue' means for these patients. We present evidence from the medical literature for the plausibility of our hypotheses.

MeSH terms

  • Electrolytes / metabolism
  • Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / etiology*
  • Female
  • Histamine / immunology
  • Hormones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Male
  • Models, Biological
  • Sex Characteristics

Substances

  • Electrolytes
  • Hormones
  • Histamine