Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex disease that is comprised of a constellation of symptoms with no unifying diagnosis. Predominant symptoms include overwhelming sleep disturbance, muscle and joint pain, overwhelming fatigue, neurological disorders, and flulike symptoms
There may be many causes which contribute to CFS, and all efforts should be made to identify what provoked these symptoms and how to properly treat them. Since this is a multisystem disease, there is rarely one type of treatment that is satisfactory, such as Cymbalta or Lyrica. Treatment must be highly individualized, and an individual should consult with a doctor in Connecticut if they believe they may be eligible for chronic fatigue syndrome treatment.
The exact number of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown. Patients may have only one or many of the components of CFS, and in many cases, the diagnosis may have been missed. There are studies presently underway called metabolics, which hope to define those patients with CFS on the basis of breakdown or waste products made by cells under environmental stress.
The degree of stress will hopefully be quantified, and specific hormone therapy treatment regimens can then be planned for individual patients in Connecticut.
Everyone, at some point in their lives, experiences fatigue. It may be due to lack of sleep, exercise, stress, or psychological factors. The diagnosis of CFS usually requires at least a six-month history of severe fatigue, along with headaches, joint pains, flu-like symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, post-exertional malaise, and unrefreshed sleep.
A doctor in Connecticut cannot do very much to treat a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome if the diagnosis is not recognized. A thorough and comprehensive medical history and examination, along with general laboratory tests and highly specific blood and urinary evaluation, are necessary to identify affected patients.
Many patients tend to be poorly treated, because most doctors are not trained or experienced in identifying CFS patients. However, once an adequate evaluation has been made, there is an excellent chance a CFS patient will be alleviated of his or her symptoms.
With a detailed medical history, one can often find an initiating event that caused chronic fatigue syndrome. Typically, an individual can provoke symptoms, such as Lyme disease or one of its co-infections, or viral syndromes, such as cytomegalovirus virus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes virus, or mycoplasma infection.
In other cases, a traumatic event or toxic exposure can provoke a cascade of symptoms. This is not an age-related disease and can affect anyone across all age groups and demographics.
One of the most important ways to treat CFS is to eliminate sleep deprivation. Elimination of sleep deprivation allows the body to regenerate. Not only is sleep duration important, but the quality of deep sleep determines its effectiveness. This is crucial for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.
Stress reduction techniques are equally important. Transcendental meditation, reiki, yoga, massage therapy, spirituality, and prayer are just some of the many ways negative environmental stress can be reduced or eliminated.
Not all physicians in Connecticut are familiar with the nuances of chronic fatigue syndrome and exactly how to treat them. In fact, it is not unusual for a patient to have seen five, six, or seven physicians before they are satisfactory diagnosed and treated by an experienced doctor familiar with CFS patients.
To avoid the frustration and expense of going from doctor to doctor, it is imperative that an individual seeks out those doctors experienced with CFS care. The easiest way to do this is by researching physicians in an individual’s geographical area that treat CFS and thoroughly review their website and patient reviews to determine how they diagnose and treat patients, as well as how patients respond to their treatment.
A doctor will inform a patient of chronic fatigue syndrome that they must have patience. The medical evaluation and laboratory determination of CFS can take weeks. There are many organ systems that have to be evaluated, such as hormone imbalance, the immune system blood clotting factors, along with evaluation for active infections and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Mitochondria are the main energy source for the cell and disruption of their function can have overwhelming effects on the body. Once these systems are evaluated for dysfunction, it may take weeks or months to reestablish optimal performance and function. The results will not occur overnight and may be variable. However, a patient needs to know there will definitely be an improvement in symptoms after treatment begins.