Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomy/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), affects up to 2.5 million Americans. The most common side effect is ongoing, severe fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. However, many people with CFS experience an array of other symptoms.
Here at Russak Personalized Medicine, Dr. Russak specializes in chronic fatigue syndrome treatment in his concierge-only practice. Because CFS affects everyone differently, knowing how it manifests can help you determine when it’s time to see a doctor. Let’s take a closer look at some common CFS symptoms.
Many people with CFS report:
Researchers haven’t pinpointed the exact cause of CFS, but it’s often triggered by an infection, like a virus or bacteria. After the infection heals, symptoms continue, affecting your thinking skills and memory.
Several things are thought to cause these neurocognitive problems. For instance, CFS seems to slow blood flow to the brain. Since the brain needs oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to function, it can be difficult to complete tasks that require lots of focus and mental energy.
Some studies have found that CFS may cause brain swelling (neuroinflammation), worsening thinking and memory problems. There’s also evidence that CFS affects the body’s ability to unconsciously control the heart rate, which has been linked to a reduction in thought-processing speed.
Many people with CFS report frequent headaches and joint and muscle pain. Research is being done to identify why this happens, but several factors are thought to contribute to it. Studies suggest that CFS patients have:
Some studies also suggest that CFS patients are more likely to experience anxiety and depression. Both conditions are thought to make pain worse.
A significant number of people with CFS report poor sleep. Other patients say they have no problems sleeping through the night, but wake up feeling tired. Although researchers don’t know exactly why sleep difficulties occur, several theories exist.
One study found that people with CFS took longer to fall asleep. Because CFS affects autonomic function, which involves the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, patients seem to have trouble relaxing. Chronic pain also plays a role. If you can’t get comfortable because of joint or muscle pain, it’s difficult to doze off.
Everyone experiences bloating, constipation, and diarrhea occasionally, but if these problems occur regularly, they might indicate CFS. That’s because research suggests CFS affects the gut microbiome — the millions of microorganisms living in our digestive tracts. Specifically, CFS seems to cause bacterial imbalances. Those imbalances are particularly noticeable in types of bacteria known to be anti-inflammatory.
Those with CFS have a higher sensitivity to sensory stimuli. The exact reason for this is unknown, but because CFS affects various parts of the nervous system, it may interfere with the sensory signals the nerves send to the brain.
There‘s no cure for CFS, but a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, prescription medication, and physical therapy can alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life. If you’d like to explore treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, contact us today. Dr. Russak only treats patients that are part of his concierge program, which has an annual fee of $2600 in 2024. Call our office in Greenwood Village, Colorado, or book your appointment online.
