For many years, people with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were not believed to be suffering from an illness. Sadly, some may have been dismissed and labeled as lazy or crazy. However, that negative connotation of CFS has long been dismissed. Several studies have shown how chronic fatigue syndrome is an actual condition with profound implications. It's now considered a serious, long-term physical health condition that affects many body systems.
If you're struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome, know that you're not alone—and there are things you can do to help yourself. Perhaps a visit to an upper cervical chiropractor can help manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also called myalgic encephalomyelitis, is challenging to diagnose. This is because other conditions mimic its symptoms. There is also no single test to confirm a CFS diagnosis. This illness is also unpredictable as symptoms come and go, and its severity may also change over time.
Since CFS is a widely misunderstood health condition, it's best to learn more about this illness. Therefore, we have compiled the necessary details to know about CFS below.
Table of Contents
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating condition that brings feelings of extreme fatigue to a person. Most often than not, this condition cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition. People living with CFS primarily complain about feeling exhausted the majority of the time, even after sleeping for long hours. The fatigue a person with CFS feels can be so severe that it begins to interfere with their life. CFS can affect a person's ability to work, study, or fulfill everyday responsibilities. This condition can potentially reduce a person's quality of life.
There is no known exact cause of CFS to date. But this condition is believed to result from viral infections, psychological stress, and hormonal imbalances. Some experts also believe that CFS may be related to immune dysfunction triggered by an infection.
Several case studies also note a few CFS risk factors in an effort to help patients manage their flare-ups and work around routines or practices that leave them susceptible to the condition. These risk factors include the following:
A considerable percentage of people affected by chronic fatigue syndrome are young to middle-aged adults ranging from 30-50 years old. However, this doesn't mean younger, or older people cannot develop chronic fatigue syndrome, as it can still happen to anyone regardless of age.
Many women tend to develop and get diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome more than men. But there is also a significant chance of women reporting their symptoms to a doctor more than men. Children can also have CFS, but young girls are more likely to develop this condition than young boys.
It is believed that genetics play a significant role in chronic fatigue syndrome development. Some chronic fatigue syndrome cases run in families. There's also a higher chance of children inheriting chronic fatigue syndrome from their parents, and when they get to have kids, they can pass it on too. People living with chronic fatigue syndrome show differences in their gene activity from those who don't.
Dealing with obesity or excessive weight is usually accompanied by health risks and conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome. In addition, being on the physically heavy side can also influence hormone production, which can lead to decreased energy levels.
Depression does not cause chronic fatigue syndrome but can trigger and aggravate CFS symptoms. Your sleep quality can also be affected when dealing with depression. People with depression also reported fatigue as one of the symptoms. People with CFS also have tendencies to experience both depression and anxiety. Paying attention to your depression symptoms and getting proper care can help you deal with the complications related to chronic fatigue syndrome. We encourage you to consult your healthcare provider for different ways that can help with your depression symptoms and other health concerns that tend to influence your CFS.
Sleeping disorders or issues can influence your CFS symptoms. Health concerns such as insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, or restless legs syndrome can lead to poor quality sleep, which contributes significantly to chronic fatigue syndrome. Stress can also trigger sleep disorders. An upper cervical chiropractor can also help manage your sleep issues by helping you keep a healthy balance of sleep-inducing hormones.
As we mentioned earlier, sadly, there is no known definitive test to get a confirmed diagnosis of CFS quickly. Healthcare providers will usually use a process of exclusion to rule out other conditions that can influence a person's fatigue. Some of these include:
There is no cure for CFS, but there are relief options that can help manage the symptoms of people living with CFS. A big percentage of relief typically focuses on symptom relief and may include medications, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even lifestyle changes such as stress management and exercise. People with CFS also find complementary and alternative therapies helpful in managing their symptoms. But one technique CFS patients have also explored in the past is upper cervical chiropractic care.
This gentle, natural, and non-invasive technique involves correcting the upper cervical spine misalignment that may be linked to the onset of chronic fatigue syndrome. This type of chiropractic care is safe and effective for people of all ages. Studies have also shown its potential to relieve chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.
An upper cervical chiropractor focuses on realigning the upper cervical spine and restoring normal function to the nervous system with the help of gentle adjustments. If you or someone you know suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, you can easily find a reputable upper cervical chiropractor near you using our doctors' directory. Getting your upper cervical spine balance and alignment checked regularly helps improve your quality of life. So don't wait any further; call a chiropractic doctor today!
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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.
