Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder that affects up to 1 million U.S. adults every year, and we have helped many in our integrative medicine in Orlando office with this condition. It’s primarily characterized by extreme fatigue that’s not attributed to any specific underlying medical condition.
Signs and Symptoms
You may have chronic fatigue syndrome if you’re experiencing the following symptoms:
- Extremely low levels of energy that don’t improve with rest
- Fatigue after mental or physical exertion, especially if the fatigue lasts longer than 24 hours after exertion
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Loss of interest in activities
- Muscle and joint pain that can’t be explained
- Sleep that isn’t restful
- Tender or swollen lymph nodes
- Chronic colds or flu
Risk Factors and Potential Causes
Certain factors may increase your chances of developing CFS:
- Age: While CFS can develop at any age, it’s most commonly seen in people in their 40s and 50s.
- Gender: Women are diagnosed with CFS much more frequently than men.
- Stress: Difficulty managing stress may contribute to CFS.
There are a large number of causes and other diseases that can potentially trigger CFS, making it one of the most commonly undiagnosed conditions that exist today. While the exact cause is unknown, there are several theories, which include:
- Viral infections
- Immune dysfunction
- Hormone imbalance
- Food intolerance or allergies
- Low blood pressure
- Environmental toxins
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Yeast overgrowth of candida
- Leaky gut
- Heavy metal toxicity
- Nutritional deficiency
- Emotional stress or trauma
Diagnosis and Treatment
When trying to find the cause of CFS, it can be like finding a needle in a haystack. However, at Cellular Health Institute, we have conclusive specialized testing to determine the source. After identifying the source, we develop a customized plan to connect you with recourse and lifestyle changes to radically jump-start your body’s healing process.
Customized plans may include regularly practicing self-care measures that may help alleviate symptoms of CFS, such as:
- Stress Reduction and Management: Trying to avoid or significantly limit overexertion and emotional stress. Learning stress management and coping skills and scheduling relaxation time into each day.
- Getting Better Sleep: Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine, all of which can interfere with sleep. Developing a set time to go to sleep and wake up every day and sticking to it.
If you would like more information on how integrative medicine in Orlando can get you back on a path of wellness, contact us online, or call (407) 862-2287 for more information on diagnosing and treating chronic fatigue syndrome in Orlando.