Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a long-term condition that affects many body systems and manifests through many symptoms. If you're suffering from CFS, you are familiar with that extreme fatigue that can last for at least six months. Unfortunately, there is no quick way to diagnose CFS as no single test is available to confirm its diagnosis.
Patients usually undergo tests to rule out other possible health problems that mimic CFS symptoms. There is no known cure or approved treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome. But patients usually find relief in managing their symptoms. Some CFS patients explore upper cervical care to help manage the uncomfortable symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a very disabling condition that brings intense exhaustion. Despite efforts to rest or sleep, it does not ease the fatigue and exhaustion caused by CFS. Usual physical activities tend to worsen fatigue. However, no amount of rest nor long sleep tends to provide relief.
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This condition can affect anyone at any age, including children. However, a high percentage of CFS-diagnosed patients are women between the ages of 40 to 50 years old. In addition, some people tend to be more susceptible to developing CFS due to different factors, including:
People with obesity or excessive weight have an increased risk of experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition, sometimes excess weight can influence hormone production, which contributes to decreased energy levels.
It's important to note that depression doesn't cause chronic fatigue syndrome. However, it can cause increased fatigue that can trigger or aggravate CFS. Depression can also affect your sleep quality. In addition, fatigue is also considered a symptom of a variety of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Getting help from a professional can determine if depression contributes to your fatigue.
It's not uncommon for people with long-term health problems, like chronic fatigue syndrome, to experience bouts of depression. Addressing your depression can potentially make it easier for you to deal with the complications related to chronic fatigue syndrome. Consult your health care provider about ways to manage your depression symptoms and other problems linked to it that tend to influence your CFS.
CFS can stem from sleep issues or disorders. For example, suppose your sleep tends to be disturbed by health concerns such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia. In that case, it can lead to poor quality sleep, influencing chronic fatigue syndrome. Other factors influence your sleep issues, including stress. There are many ways to help manage sleep issues, including upper cervical care, which aids in the proper flow of sleep-inducing natural hormones to help you get better quality sleep.
While chronic fatigue syndrome can develop at any age, it tends to happen more to young to middle-aged adults aged 30-50. For teenagers who develop CFS, those between 13 and 15 seem to develop it most often.
Women are known to develop CFS more likely than men. Women are typically diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome a lot more than men. However, women are also most likely to report their symptoms to a doctor. Chronic fatigue syndrome is rare in children, but young girls are more likely to develop it than young boys.
Sometimes, genetics play a role in the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. There are cases of CFS that run in families. If one of your parents has CFS, there's an increased chance that you can inherit it and can potentially pass it on when you have children too. There are differences in gene activity in people with ME/CFS within white blood cells and other body parts.
People living with chronic fatigue syndrome also tend to develop other health concerns. Sadly, this debilitating illness co-exists with other conditions that also trigger an onset of painful and uncomfortable symptoms. These may include the following:
Dealing with chronic fatigue syndrome is not an easy feat. Besides the stress and physical discomfort from CFS, seeking effective ways to relieve your symptoms may add to the exhaustion and overall stress you feel.
Upper cervical care has demonstrated great potential in managing CFS symptoms to help alleviate your suffering. Upper cervical chiropractic doctors do not take chronic fatigue lightly. It's their goal to provide comfort for their patients by helping their bodies heal naturally.
Sometimes, a misalignment in the upper spine can be the source of many serious health problems throughout the body, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, migraine, and more. Correcting the misalignment can potentially relieve you from the debilitating symptoms accompanying CFS.
A misalignment in your upper cervical spine which consist of your atlas (C1) and axis (C2)– even one as tiny as ¼ of a millimeter – can trigger CFS symptoms. But through precise and gentle upper cervical adjustments, your bones can return to their rightful spot, improving your body's overall circulation.
To help restore your spine's balance and alignment and eventually help CFS symptoms disappear, you will need a help of an upper cervical chiropractor. Patients often report improved chronic fatigue symptoms after a few adjustments in their upper cervical spine.
Your trusted chiropractor will first examine the severity of misalignment through physical and imaging tests. Afterward, they will apply gentle adjustments to move your C1 and C2 bones to proper alignment. Upper cervical care will help your body heal naturally and provide you relief from CFS symptoms that last longer for a better quality of life.
If you are ready to get your upper cervical adjustments, you can find a reputable upper cervical chiropractic doctor near you through our doctors' directory. For your convenience, make sure you narrow down your search based on your location to find someone close to your home or place of work.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.