Do You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
By Sara Butler
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a bit of a mystery, but it still impacts a lot of people in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one million Americans suffer from this disorder. Here are a few indications that you may have it so you can seek help.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
In general, people with chronic fatigue syndrome feel fatigue that is overwhelming and debilitating. It often goes undiagnosed due to the fact that health professionals aren’t totally sure what causes it in the first place. The problem? This disorder can strike nearly anyone from any ethnic group, but women are four times more likely to have it than men.
What are the Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) include:
- Feeling beyond exhausted – People can feel tired at the end of a long day, but if you have CFS then you feel so exhausted it can be difficult to get out of bed without feeling completely drained. When symptoms flare, it can be difficult to get through a full day or work, school, or even a social gathering.
- Trouble sleeping – With CFS, you may feel exhausted but still have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. You’re so tired you can’t go to sleep! When you do wake up, you can feel as if you’ve gotten no sleep at all and you don’t feel rested.
- Trouble concentrating – CFS is about more than just feeling tired, it also makes its sufferers feel more forgetful, have trouble focusing, and get distracted easily. Basically, your brain feels as tired as the rest of you.
- Any activity wipes you out – Any type of physical or emotional stress will really take its toll on you if you have CFS. Even what some would consider minor activities, such as going for a walk, leaves you feeling spent.
- Your balance is out of whack – Your symptoms may feel worse when you’re standing and better when lying down. This can make it very difficult for you to stay upright throughout your day.
- You hurt over your whole body – Joint aches, pains, headaches, muscle soreness, and sore throats are common complaints from CFS sufferers. There may not be any symptoms such as redness accompanying the pain, but the pain is there nonetheless.
If you worry you may have chronic fatigue syndrome, discuss it with your chiropractor.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.