Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex, long-term medical condition that causes lasting exhaustion and fatigue that cannot be resolved by sleep or rest. In the United States alone, more than a million people have been diagnosed with CFS, and for many, their quality of life is significantly impacted. The medical community does not fully understand the causes of the disease.
Those living with chronic fatigue syndrome may experience many diverse symptoms, making it somewhat elusive when searching for a diagnosis. Here are some of the most common manifestations of CFS.
1. Cognitive Issues
One of the most common symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome is impaired cognitive function. The patient may struggle to form coherent thoughts or express themselves clearly.
They often experience short-term memory loss, complaining that thoughts just disappear from their mind. They may find it challenging to speak, read, or understand others. Some people report difficulty in comprehending numbers as well.
2. Muscle and Joint Pain
Most people with CFS live with acute or chronic pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints. Their pain episodes typically reoccur often, with intermittent periods of relief. Joints and muscles may be stiff and sore, with no apparent reason for the discomfort. For many patients, the pain continues for several weeks at a time, significantly inhibiting mobility and flexibility.
3. Irregular Sleep Patterns
Another common CFS symptom is erratic or irregular sleep patterns and disrupted circadian rhythms. Individuals find it difficult to sleep at night even though they feel tired all day and are fatigued in the morning. Some also wake up frequently throughout the night.
Many CFS patients report only being able to sleep during specific hours, which is especially disruptive if those hours happen to be in the afternoon.
4. Sensitivity to Stimuli
People with CFS are often overly sensitive to external stimuli such as sounds and smells. A loud commercial or a sudden burst of light can cause irritation, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Eye coverings and earplugs can help minimize sensitivity.
5. Weakened Immunity
When the body doesn’t get enough sleep, immunity is compromised. This situation results in an inability to ward off illness and infection as a healthy body would, meaning those with CFS may experience illness and disease more frequently.
6. Digestion Issues
People with CFS often cannot efficiently digest certain foods. For many individuals, raw vegetables cause significant stomach pain and bloating. Others may suffer from nausea after eating red meat. These triggering foods can result in sharp gut pain and indigestion. Patients should avoid these problematic foods to help mitigate these symptoms.
7. Vertigo
CFS patients often experience dizziness, feeling like the room is spinning. Vertigo can also result in blurred vision, tinnitus, and disorientation. Dizziness or lightheadedness upon standing is another sign of CFS.
8. Paresthesia
Paresthesia creates abnormal skin sensations such as tingling, numbness, or burning – without an identifiable physical cause. Some patients report feeling like bugs are crawling under their skin. These symptoms appear randomly and can be acute or chronic.
9. Orthostatic Intolerance
CFS can make it challenging for individuals to stay upright for extended periods. Typically, blood pressure drops when someone stands up, but the body compensates for the drop. Orthostatic intolerance makes the body incapable of stabilizing itself, resulting in extreme lightheadedness or dizzy spells. The blood does not reach the head rapidly enough, so patients must sit or lie down to alleviate these symptoms – or they may fall or even black out temporarily.
Let’s Explore How to Help You
The above issues may be symptoms of CFS, but they can also indicate other diverse medical conditions. At Longevity Wellness Clinic, we will work with your mainstream doctors, integrating Chinese traditional techniques into your healthcare to bring you back to optimum health. Call today for more information or to schedule a consultation.