Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a puzzling disorder that causes significant fatigue with little to no exertion. Any fatigue that lasts for an extended period without apparent reason and does not improve with rest should be evaluated immediately. The evaluation can help prevent other issues, such as pain, depression, and anxiety.

To be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome, your symptoms can’t be attributed to any other medical condition or circumstance. The tiredness you feel is overwhelming and never seems to let up.

Who’s at risk for chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is difficult to diagnose because the causes aren’t entirely understood. There is speculation that it comes on after a viral condition or extreme stress. There are, however, certain risk factors that predispose you to chronic fatigue syndrome, including:

• Age 40 to 60
• Hormonal imbalances
• Being female
• Stress
• Allergies
• Genetics

Women seem to be at least twice as likely to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome than men. The Center for Pain & Rehabilitation Medicine considers all of these factors when determining the cause of your fatigue.

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

The main symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is fatigue that doesn’t go away with sufficient rest. This fatigue lasts for months and affects your daily activities. Other symptoms also include:

• Insomnia
• Other sleep issues
• Trouble concentrating
• Memory problems
• Muscle pain
• Headaches
• Depression
• Chronic sore throat

With this condition, you often wake up feeling just as tired as before you went to bed. The other symptoms accompany the fatigue but aren’t as profound.

How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?

At the Center for Pain & Rehabilitation Medicine, the team takes a full-body approach to determine what’s causing your fatigue, including extensive intracellular blood work to determine any deficiencies, thyroid, cortisol, and sex hormone evaluation. As part of the detailed evaluation, Dr. Jadali always tailors labs to your symptoms and never looks at labs as purely normal or abnormal. If they diagnose that you have chronic fatigue syndrome, the practice offers several treatments to help.

Lifestyle changes, such as limiting caffeine, eliminating napping, and creating a sleep routine, help to subdue the sleep problems associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

The practice also prescribes medications to help with insomnia or depression related to chronic fatigue syndrome. No single medication works for everyone, so the team provides several options to help.

Alternative and holistic therapies also help with your symptoms. These treatments include massage, yoga, and acupuncture. The practice guides you to a treatment regimen that specifically works for you and your symptoms.

Call the office today or book an online consultation to make an appointment with the practice.