Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in Kingwood TX
Do you find yourself feeling tired all the time, but you can't quite explain why? Are you waking up in the morning still groggy and feeling run down, despite getting more than enough sleep? Chances are, there's something deeper at play and it could be more serious than you imagined.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, technically known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, could be at the root of your unknown exhaustion in Kingwood TX. Luckily, the Nutritional Team at Clark Chiropractic and Wellness is here to help. Let's get into some basics before we get you on track to optimal living!
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - What is it?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a condition that impacts hundreds of thousands of people. In fact, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but many haven't even been diagnosed. We see a lot of this in our Kingwood chiropractic office.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a complex condition, and many times isn't fully understood. The condition leads not only to constant feelings of tiredness, but also chronic pain, and numerous other symptoms (more on those later don't worry, we can help!).
Many times, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is simply the endgame of many months, years, and even decades of constant physical and mental fatigue. It's a term that's often used by doctors but is not often the underlying cause ever addressed.
Because of this, oftentimes medication is prescribed to simply treat symptoms rather than address underlying problems. This typically results in a patient taking medication for weeks and months, only to see their symptoms continue to persist.
We DON'T believe in this. At Clark Chiropractic and Wellness, we seek to treat the root cause of the problem not simply relieve symptoms (but, well, do that too!). This helps your body return and stay at its most optimal state of health a long-term solution rather than a short-term quick fix.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms in Kingwood TX
If you're reading this, your first assumption here would probably be feeling tired. While you'd be correct in your assumption, there's often a lot more at play than simply feeling exhausted without knowing why the only way to know for sure is by scheduling a consultation with one of our experts.
These are some of the most common Chronic Fatigue Syndrome symptoms we see:
- Unrefreshing Sleep - Patients get their recommended amount of sleep but still feel tired upon waking.
- Loss of Memory or Concentration - Patients report an inability to focus on tasks for prolonged periods of time .
- Enlarged Lymph Nodes - These typically present themselves in either your armpits or neck and appear swollen.
- Unexplained Muscle or Joint Pain - Many times, that unexplained achy knee or shoulder can be the result of underlying Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- Extreme Exhaustion - We classify extreme exhaustion as exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours, particularly after physical or mental exercise, such as studying for a test.
Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There's no one cause for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Each individual is different and the only way to truly get down to the bottom of your root problem is by paying us a visit.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome causes are usually autoimmune by nature. This means that your cell energy has dropped so slow and your immune system is dysregulated, and somewhere your immune system begins to attack its own body.
Generally speaking, there are a few common issues we see as contributing causes to a patient's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It's important to note that, as of now, research is somewhat unclear as to how significant each of these causes and risk factors may be:
- Stress - This may seem pretty obvious, but how many of us encounter an unimaginable amount of stress daily and don't do much to deal with it? Prolonged physical and mental stress over time can lead to a patient developing Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- Age - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can occur at any age, but is most commonly seen in people in their 40s and 50s.
- Food Sensitivity - We believe that food is medicine, but in some cases, what you are eating may be impacting your fatigue levels. Many patients suffer with a food sensitivity without even knowing it, and our Nutritional Team can help patients investigate this further.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatment
Fortunately, while Chronic Fatigue Syndrome affects so many among us, there's much that can be done to help mitigate the negative effects of its symptoms.
First and foremost, you should visit with a professional who can help determine what the root cause of your fatigue may be. The team at Clark Chiropractic and Wellness is expertly equipped to handle these consultations, and we are ready to help you reclaim your energy!
There's no official "cure" for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but these are some helpful strategies we employ with our patients to help them combat their symptoms. Again, remember that each individual is different, and your needs will vary when compared to someone else.
Regulate Your Immune System
As mentioned, many times the causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are autoimmune in nature. As such, regulating your immune system will go a long way in helping to minimize symptoms.
Some of the biggest things that help include Vitamin D, Fish Oil, and improving Nitrous Oxide levels in the body. Much of this can be accomplished through a chronic fatigue treatment diet, which we'll dive into shortly.
Sleep Duration & Quality
It's important to get the recommended amount of sleep nightly. This varies with age, but most people should aim for between 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night.
Just as important as the number of hours is the quality of the sleep you're getting. There are many things that can be done to improve your quality of rest avoiding caffeine late in the day and sleeping/waking at the same consistent times are great ways to start.
Exercise
Exercise can help your general sense of well-being, but those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should be cautious when it comes to how much activity they decide to do. Over-exercising can lead to depletion of ATP, something that can take days or weeks to recover from.
Chronic Fatigue Treatment Diet
We've saved the best (and arguably, the most important) for last, and for good reason. There are MANY changes that can be made to your diet to help reduce your chronic fatigue symptoms. Proper diet will help keep blood sugar levels in check
Of course, in order to get the maximum benefit from any sort of chronic fatigue treatment diet, you should consult a professional. Our Nutrition Team at Clark Chiropractic and Wellness works thoroughly and comprehensively with each and every patient we see each body is different and we will help you determine what sort of dietary changes will have the most positive impact on your symptoms.
These are some of the most helpful strategies we employ with patients, generally speaking:
- Drink Plenty of Water - This one goes without saying, no matter what your condition may be. But in the case of fatigue, dehydration can be a major contributing factor. Be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water daily.
- Get Rid of Inflammatory Foods - Research has shown that inflammation plays some sort of role when it comes to fatigue, so cutting out inflammatory foods will help minimize symptoms. This means fried foods and processed meats, among many other things. It's also helpful to work more anti-inflammatory foods into your diet, like olive oil and fish oils.
- Load up on Vegetables - Veggies are always important, but especially so when dealing with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The expression eat your colors has never been more true red veggies like beets are full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, and yellow vegetables such as peppers are loaded with vitamins and minerals.
- Fats Are Your Friend - Ok, maybe not all of them, but some fats can be extremely beneficial in fighting fatigue. Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and avocados help fight inflammation. You'll also enjoy a nice cognitive boost!
If you believe you may be suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, we're here to help. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our nutrition experts. We want to be your biggest ally in the fight against Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!
OFFICE HOURS
Monday
7:30am - 6:00pm
Tuesday
7:30am - 6:00pm
Wednesday
7:30am - 6:00pm
Thursday
7:30am - 6:00pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Clark Chiropractic & Wellness
562 Kingwood Dr
Kingwood, TX 77339