According to the CDC, over 3 million people in the United States suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and the majority of them have not been diagnosed by a doctor. Why not? CFS is one of the most difficult chronic illnesses to diagnose, as there is no test for it. So what is chronic fatigue and how can we help? Read on to learn more!
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: What Is It?
Chronic fatigue is a biological disorder categorized by extreme unexplained fatigue that lasts for at least 6 months, prohibiting you from performing daily tasks. Most commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, this illness can also be referred to as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Systemic Exertion Intolerance Disease (SEID).
Causes of CFS
The contributing factors and causes of chronic fatigue are still being studied, and though experts don’t have a full understanding of this disorder yet, there are a few possible causes such as viral infections, a weakened immune system, stress, hormone imbalances, and even genetics. Vitamin deficiencies may also play a role, specifically the B complex vitamins such as B12 and riboflavin (B2).
Symptoms of CFS
Because chronic fatigue can manifest in differing stages of intensity from person to person, symptoms can be hard to pinpoint for a clear CFS diagnosis. The most important marker that doctors look for is extreme fatigue which reduces your ability to do everyday functions, lasts longer than 6 months, and doesn’t improve with bed rest. It may also worsen with physical or mental activity. Other symptoms that may accompany chronic fatigue include:
Headaches- Dizziness
- Sore throat
- Difficulty sleeping
- Poor concentration
- Memory problems
- Muscle and joint pain
- Swollen lymph nodes
How is CFS Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for CFS, but there are certainly lots of treatment options for managing your symptoms and improving your quality of life! These typically fall into a few major categories:
Lifestyle changes– eliminating caffeine, improving sleep habits, pacing activities, etc.
Medications– while sometimes prescription medications can be beneficial and necessary, we strive to help your body through natural supplements and other remedies.
Alternative therapies– functional medicine bloodwork and IV therapy are just a couple of options!
CFS Diagnosis & Treatment at Elite Personalized Medicine
A CFS diagnosis takes time since there is no simple test or general criteria for this disorder. Our functional medicine doctors take an elimination approach, ensuring that another condition isn’t the potential cause of your chronic fatigue. We can test for illnesses such as lupus, thyroid disease, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, and more to make sure we’re getting to the root cause before coming up with a targeted treatment plan. You can be sure that we look at your whole body– hormones, gut health, psychological factors, diet, sleep, stress, and more– and recommend treatments to correct any imbalances and get you on track to manage your chronic fatigue.
Now that we’ve answered the question– what is chronic fatigue?- you’re ready to take the first step in getting help for your symptoms. Get in touch with our functional medicine experts today!
