Chronic Fatigue: Causes, Symptoms, and Effective Treatments Through Functional Medicine
Chronic fatigue syndrome makes every day feel never-ending. We all know what one night of poor sleep feels like. However, imagine feeling perpetually exhausted even when you get over 8 hours of rest each night.
Clinically known as myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) affects an estimated 836,000 Americans, though many have not been properly diagnosed. Unlike regular fatigue, chronic fatigue does not go away with sleep. It is an enduring condition that makes everyday tasks feel difficult.
Without treatment, chronic fatigue syndrome can lead to other health complications stemming from lack of exercise, which puts you at a higher risk for depression. This is why taking a holistic approach to treatment is crucial.
Since CFS affects every aspect of your life, treatment should address every facet of your well-being, too.
What are the 7 Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
CFS symptoms are largely unpredictable. Occasionally, they improve or worsen over time. It's important to note that chronic fatigue can vary widely from person to person, and not all people with chronic fatigue will experience all of these symptoms.
Persistent fatigue: A feeling of extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest, which lasts for at least six months.
Unrefreshing sleep: Even after a full night's sleep, people with chronic fatigue may still feel tired and unrefreshed.
Difficulty concentrating: Difficulty focusing or concentrating, often described as "brain fog" or "mental fog."
Muscle pain: Muscle aches and pains, which may be widespread and can affect the whole body.
Joint pain: Joint pain, swelling, or stiffness, without any redness or warmth, which can mimic arthritis.
Headaches: Frequent headaches, often described as tension-type headaches or migraines.
Sore throat: A sore or irritated throat, which can be persistent, without any signs of infection.
What is Considered Chronic Fatigue?
Persistent, debilitating fatigue that lasts for an extended period of time, usually six months or more. This type of fatigue is not alleviated by rest or sleep and can have a significant impact on a person's daily activities, work, and quality of life.
Chronic fatigue can have many different causes, including medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic illnesses. It can also be caused by lifestyle factors such as poor sleep habits, stress, and lack of physical activity.
To be diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a person must experience fatigue for at least six months and have other symptoms such as difficulty concentrating, muscle and joint pain, and headaches. A healthcare provider will typically rule out other potential causes of these symptoms before making a diagnosis of CFS.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There are many potential causes of chronic fatigue, and patients may have multiple contributing factors that impact their symptoms. Below, we’ll explore the possible causes of chronic fatigue, as well as the potential treatments for each one.
Viral Infections
A virus can cause long-term cellular dysfunction, which means you can experience ongoing fatigue and difficulties even after the initial infection has cleared. The National Institute of Health reveals that researchers have found the presence of retrovirus DNA to be a potential cause of CFS.
When a person gets ill, viral proteins can lead to the secretion of cytokines, a type of immune proteins that can cause CFS symptoms.
Hormonal Imbalances
If your body does not produce the right amount of hormones, or it secretes too many of a certain type, you may experience symptoms like chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and difficulties with sleep.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Research suggests that a variety of nutritional deficiencies could contribute to CFS. Notable vitamins include C and the B complex, as well as essential minerals like sodium, zinc, and magnesium.
Immune System Dysfunction
Immunity issues stemming from illness or disease can lead to ongoing issues with chronic fatigue. Many medical experts believe that an immune system trigger can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome; an estimated 50% to 70% of CFS patients report their symptoms began after experiencing an illness.
Environmental Factors
Exposure to certain toxins and strains of mold could also lead to an immune response that causes chronic fatigue. Many chemicals, heavy metals, and solvents are also associated with causing chronic fatigue syndrome.
Functional Medicine Approach to Chronic Fatigue Treatment
While traditional medicine takes a reductionist approach to CFS, functional medicine adopts a holistic perspective.
To put it more simply, instead of looking at symptoms and trying to reduce them, functional medicine looks at the whole person and examines how lifestyle factors may influence their symptoms. It also addresses the relationship between CFS and other health symptoms, which can influence one another.
The goal of a functional medicine practitioner is to discover the root cause of chronic fatigue syndrome and help the patient heal from the inside out. By uncovering the real cause behind a patient’s condition, the practitioner can develop an effective treatment that heals rather than simply manages symptoms.
A functional medicine approach to CFS includes evaluating energy pathways, which are closely linked to your nutritional intake. The practitioner will look for any possible deficiencies and may suggest dietary changes, supplementation, or detox protocols to positively influence your body’s energy levels.
Clinical research has found that a balanced diet rich in anti-inflammatory produce, high fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids may improve chronic fatigue symptoms.
Additionally, a practitioner will look at how chronic fatigue syndrome affects someone’s life as a whole. It’s impossible to treat this disorder without also addressing its mental impact on the patient’s life.
Someone with CFS likely has a harder time regulating their stress levels, which leads to greater inflammation due to the presence of cortisol in the system. Managing stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms are crucial to creating true healing and lasting change in a patient’s life.
Some of the potential functional medicine treatments for chronic fatigue syndrome include:
Eliminating unhealthy foods. High fats, processed foods, refined sugars, and synthetic ingredients can cause chronic inflammation, which can worsen CFS symptoms. A whole-foods, natural-based diet is one of the most common recommendations for patients.
Improving nutrition through supplementation. Some patients may need nutritional supplements to make up for any deficiencies they have; these supplements can drastically improve their body’s immune function, as well as assist in hormone regulation.
Increasing hydration. Water helps flush toxins from the body and ensure muscles, tissues, and organs are nourished properly. Patients can improve their hydration by drinking more water and reducing their intake of coffee, tea, and other drinks.
Boosting the gut biome. The gut is filled with billions of bacteria that send chemical signals to the body; a major element of CFS immune dysfunction could stem from a gut imbalance. Eating more probiotics or taking a supplement may help restore functionality throughout the body.
The Benefits of Functional Medicine Over Traditional CFS Treatments
Functional medicine examines every factor that may cause CFS, and it addresses the underlying causes from the start. Rather than solely look at symptoms, functional medicine strives to uncover exactly what has led to the development of chronic fatigue and treat any conditions that came before and after it.
Many patients find themselves turning to functional medicine after conventional treatments for CFS have proven ineffective. Even if they manage to reduce some symptoms, they’re still struggling with the condition in their daily lives.
Functional medicine is a whole-body approach to health and wellness. When it comes to treating chronic fatigue syndrome, it helps patients improve every aspect of their lives by examining factors like diet, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and mental health.
Conclusion
Chronic fatigue syndrome doesn’t have a singular cause, which makes having a comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment so important. Potential causes can be treated through nutritional supplementation, lifestyle changes, and mental health care to support patients’ journey to recovery.
Treating any health condition a person develops as a result of CFS is equally important; the whole body is impacted by CFS, and ongoing inflammation and stress can lead to other physical health problems as well.
Although it can feel incredibly isolating, anyone living with CFS is not alone. If you have this condition, please share your story to help others feel supported and spread awareness.
If traditional medicine hasn’t helped your symptoms, consider reaching out to our team for a free consultation.