Chronic fatigue syndrome is an extraordinarily difficult and frustrating condition to cope with, largely because there’s a fair amount of misinformation surrounding it. In fact, the CDC estimates that anywhere between 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans are affected by chronic fatigue syndrome, yet up to 90% aren’t properly diagnosed.
At HealthFirst, Dr. Jonathan W. Singer and our team are among the unique practices that specialize in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We’ve spent a fair amount of time researching how to best restore quality of life to those who suffer from CFS.
One of our primary goals as chronic fatigue syndrome experts is to educate our patients on the complex condition, starting with recognizing the signs so that you can seek the help you need. With that in mind, here’s a look at the many ways that CFS can manifest itself.
There’s a good reason why chronic fatigue syndrome earned its name as generalized fatigue and weariness is one of the more common symptoms of the illness, which is medically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).
The fatigue piece of the CFS puzzle goes beyond what we’re used to as simply feeling tired because it persists despite how much rest you get. Called post-exertional malaise, the problem can endure for years. In at least one out of every four cases of ME/CFS, people are confined to their homes or beds and unable to perform even the simplest of tasks.
While fatigue may be the hallmark of ME/CFS, there are many other symptoms that can arise, including:
As you can see, these symptoms are widespread and often associated with other problems, which is one of the reasons why diagnosing ME/CFS can be complicated.
According to the CDC, there are two main problems when it comes to chronic fatigue syndrome. The first is that most medical schools in the U.S. don’t include CFS training. The other is that CFS is often misunderstood and might not be taken seriously by some health care providers.
We understand these challenges, which is why Dr. Singer has created an oasis of care for difficult-to-identify conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome. To start, Dr. Singer performs an extensive analysis of your health, environment, and medical history. He also performs targeted tests to determine whether your symptoms stem from CFS.
If we determine that you have chronic fatigue syndrome, we design a treatment program that targets your specific symptoms. It’s important to note that there’s no cure for CFS, but there’s a lot we can do to offset the effects to help you lead a happy and productive life.
Depending upon your symptoms and goals, you may benefit from:
If you suspect that you may have chronic fatigue syndrome, your first step is to get the right team in your corner to identify and treat the problem properly. Simply contact one of our two locations in Greenwood Village, Colorado, or Cheyenne, Wyoming, by phone or online booking to get started today.
