Have you been suffering from fatigue for several months without reason? 

Have you endured continuing joint pain that seems unrelated to overuse, injury or illness?  

Maybe you’ve also had trouble sleeping and suffer from moodiness? 

While each of these symptoms may be linked to any number of different health problems, if you are suffering from a combination of these symptoms, you may be a candidate for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

 CFS is a health condition that’s attracting more and more attention from the medical field and public alike. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), somewhere between 1 and 4 million North Americans currently suffer from the symptoms of chronic fatigue.¹ Although CFS seems to be on the rise, what classifies chronic fatigue as a syndrome still remains a bit of a mystery.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

 A syndrome is defined as “A group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder, or other abnormal condition.”¹

 In a recent study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, researchers compared symptoms in over 37,000 patients whose presenting complaints also included chronic unexplained fatigue. The researchers were attempting to define the diagnostic criteria for people suffering from CFS.² Across cultures and geographic areas, they found five distinct categories of symptoms:

• at least six months of unexplained fatigue

• trouble concentrating and thinking straight

• joint pain with or without redness and swelling

• sleeping problems

• disturbed mood

You must remember that CFS can also mimic other common health problems, including thyroid conditions, cancer, viral infections, anemia and depression. So, if you suspect that you’re suffering from CFS, be sure to check with your chiropractor, your medical doctor, or other healthcare professional.

How can you get CFS?

 According to the CDC, there’s no single factor that explains why you might develop CFS. However, there are several likely possibilities. These include:

 Infections - People who are recovering from infections often show a ‘post-infective fatigue syndrome’ that resembles CFS.³

1. Immune dysfunction - When your immune system is manipulated by certain cancer treatments, you may suffer from an illness similar to CFS.

2. Physical response to emotional stress - Studies show a link between people that exhibit CFS symptoms and the incidence of highly stressful periods early in their lives, such as childhood abuse, neglect and loss. This may hinder an individual’s ability to properly handle subsequent stress throughout life, making these individuals vulnerable to CFS.

3. Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH) - This is an autonomic nervous system disorder. Some studies show a strong link between people with CFS and the incidence of NMH.

4. Allergies and nutrition – there’s some evidence that people who have CFS are also more likely to suffer from allergic reactions or food sensitivities.

Can Chiropractic Help with CFS?

Given the mysterious nature of CFS and its unknown cause, there is no cure.

But there are many documented treatments that can help minimize or eliminate some of the symptoms. And chiropractic is one of the recommended options for fatigue related conditions. Adjustments restore proper alignment. This conserves your energy and reduces the load on your joints.

 Chiropractic adjustments can also increase immune system function, and this may help normalize a compromised immune system associated with CFS. Ask your chiropractor for advice if you suspect you suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Dr. Christian Guenette

www.back2health.ca

 References and Sources: 

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/cfs

2. Are chronic fatigue and chronic fatigue syndrome valid clinical entities across countries and healthcare settings? Hickie I, Davenport T, Vernon SD, Nisenbaum R, Reeves WC, Hadzi-Pavlovic D, Lloyd A. (2009) Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry; 43:25-35.

3. Post-infective and chronic fatigue syndromes precipitated by viral and non-viral pathogens: a prospective cohort study. (2006) British Medical Journal. Sep 16;333(7568):575. 2006

4. Neuroendocrine-immune mechanisms of behavioral comorbidities in patients with cancer. (2008) Journal of Clinical Oncology; 26:971-982

5. Childhood trauma and risk for chronic fatigue syndrome: Association with neuroendocrine dysfunction. (2009) Archives of General Psychiatry; Vol. 66 (1): 72-80.

6. Neurally mediated hypotension and chronic fatigue syndrome. (1998) The American Journal of Medicine; 105(3A):15S-21S.

7. CDC. www.cdc.gov/cfs/cfscauses.htm#nutritional

8. Why is Alignment Important? – Part II – Energy. (2009) Guenette, C. Vista Magazine; 62: 20.

9. The Effects of Chiropractic on the Immune System: A Review of the Literature. (1993) Chiropractic Journal of Australia 1993 (Dec); 23 (4):132–135.