Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a perplexing disorder that is characterized by extreme fatigue and cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may become worse with physical or mental activity, but does not improve with rest.
Another name for it is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). CFS can often make it difficult or impossible to do daily activities. Sometimes it may make it difficult to be able to get out of bed.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
CFS symptoms can include:
- Loss of memory or difficulty with concentration.
- Severe fatigue that is not improved by rest.
- Sleep issues or not feeling rested after a full night sleep.
- Headaches.
- Pain.
- Dizziness.
- An extreme reaction to exertion: feeling sick after exercise or strenuous activity, often not starting until the next day.
- Enlarged lymph nodes (swollen glands) in the neck or underarm area.
Who Is At Risk For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Age. Chronic fatigue syndrome can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects people in their 40s and 50s.
- Sex. Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome more often than men, but it may be possible that women are simply more likely to report their symptoms to a doctor.
- Stress. Poor stress management may contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Diagnosing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There is evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by a physical problem involving the immune system, energy metabolism, and the nervous system, but there is no laboratory test or procedure to confirm the diagnosis. Doctors must then diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome based on whether a person has the symptoms of the illness and by eliminating any other illnesses that can cause long-lasting fatigue.
Other fatigue-causing illnesses to be ruled out including:
- Sleep apnea or narcolepsy.
- Side effects of medications.
- Hypothyroidism.
- Adrenal insufficiency.
- Heart disorders.
- Cancer.
- Hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
- Certain psychiatric illnesses, especially major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and delusional disorders and dementia.
- The eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
- Drug abuse, including alcohol abuse.
- Severe obesity.
Your physician will do a thorough examination of you as well as assess your mental status. Some basic blood tests may be ordered, such as a red blood cell count (hematocrit); white blood cell count and differential white blood cell count, thyroid, kidney and liver tests.
Researchers have found no evidence to suggest that CFS is contagious, but they do believe there may be a genetic or familial link.
Chiropractic Care And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- The description of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is discouraging, there is however one natural remedy for CFS, and that is Chiropractic Care. Adjustments by a trained Chiropractor to the spinal column, the upper cervical area of the body, the lower back area, or the neck and shoulders have been shown to give relief to many patients of their chronic tiredness and fatigue over time.
- This may be because when the spinal column is out of alignment, it tends to create disturbances in the nervous system, and then inflammation often flares up in the surrounding muscles and soft tissues as a result. This understandably makes sleep elusive, but Chiropractic care
can put your body back on track.
- Many CFS patients report an increase in energy, improved flexibility, and mobility, less pain or no pain, and reduced inflammation of joints after just a few chiropractic adjustments. Often the patient will be recommended to attend several sessions a week for spinal adjustments and counseling on supplements and diet. All of these treatments work in unison to relieve the symptoms, strengthen the immune system, and help the patient feel more in control of their body and their condition.
Supplements That May Be Helpful in Treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
A huge benefit of chiropractic treatment for CFS is that it treats the whole patient, as opposed to just the symptoms. A Chiropractor may recommend various chiropractic services such as spinal adjustments, but they will also review with the patient and discuss that patient’s diet, daily routine, and any medications or supplements they are taking.
The chiropractor will then make dietary recommendations including supplements that help CFS such as:
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
- Magnesium
- Malic Acid
- Linoleic Acid
The Takeaway
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a tricky condition that is not as straightforward as other illnesses. The symptoms can often mimic other conditions, so they must all be ruled out before a diagnosis of CFS can be determined.
Chiropractic care can offer much-needed hope to patients with CFS. The whole patient care that they receive helps not only the physical suffering but the emotional suffering as well. It is critical that patients with CFS know that there is someone who hears them, understands their difficulties, and wants to help them on every level, not just symptom control. Chiropractic care covers the patient as a whole all for optimal whole patient care.
Contact us today! Family Chiropractic Plus is dedicated to your overall health and well-being. Which is why we offer regular chiropractic adjustments in order to restore your body’s natural state of
optimal health, while also providing it with the support it needs to heal from any injury, big or small.