Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are two very similar conditions. This is why most people with either one of these disorders face difficulty distinguishing their illness. If you’re stuck in the same dilemma and wonder if you should opt for a Rochester Hills MI fibromyalgia relief or CFS remedy, our detailed comparison of the conditions might help you understand what you must do.
Table of Contents
Describing Fibromyalgia
People living with fibromyalgia are no stranger to widespread body pain, accompanied by other crippling symptoms like headaches, brain fog, and unexplainable tiredness. These individuals have to make constant changes to their routine, like limiting household work and switching to new medications.
Some theories suggest that abnormality in the brain’s pain processing function causes fibromyalgia. As it turns out, people living with fibromyalgia have a malfunctioning central nervous system. Instead of processing pain like the rest, those with fibromyalgia experience pain and pressure up to 10 times worse.
Explaining Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is a condition that causes you to feel tired and weak for up to six months. It can also cause additional symptoms, including sore throat, enlarged lymph nodes in your armpit or neck, poor concentration, and unrefreshing sleep.
Some studies explain that CFS symptoms develop because of triggers like viral infection, physical trauma, hormone fluctuations, and immune system problems. Others believe that energy metabolism has something to do with it. According to a 2020 study, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have dysfunctional mitochondria, a human cell component that transforms nutrients into energy.
Where CFS and Fibromyalgia Differ
Presence of inflammation
Several studies thought fibromyalgia stems from an inflammatory condition. However, recent findings explain that it originates from a nervous system defect. On the other hand, CFS shows several signs of inflammation, including swollen nodes, sore throat, and mild fever.
Location of tender or painful points
Patients diagnosed with CFS have a few sore and tender points in their bodies. In contrast, those with fibromyalgia have more distinct pain patterns.
Increased pain sensitivity due to abnormal signal processing
Studies reveal that fibromyalgia patients process pain and pressure stimuli differently from CFS patients. It appears that fibromyalgia originates from a condition called central sensitization, a state of heightened nerve sensitivity.
How CFS and Fibromyalgia Become Similar
Victims
Both disorders appear to cause more severe impacts in women than men.
Fatigue and lack of sleep
Both can trigger insomnia, so you can expect to have a restless sleep and lingering fatigue if you get diagnosed with either fibromyalgia or CFS.
Diagnostic process
CFS and fibromyalgia diagnosis takes time because doctors have to narrow down the potential reasons behind the symptoms.
Impaired cognitive function
Decreased cognitive abilities are common among people with CFS and fibromyalgia. Most patients cope with brain fog, poor memory retention, irritability, and malaise.
Anxiety and depression
Chronic pain conditions severely impact mental health. Patients dread the sudden onset of their symptoms when exposed to common triggers such as emotional stress and physical trauma.
Have a connection to postural imbalance
Most people seeking Rochester Hills MI fibromyalgia relief or CFS relief consult with our NUCCA chiropractor, Dr. Richard Cicala. Our chiropractic doctor corrects C1 and C2 bone misalignments to restore spine and CNS health.
Can you have both CFS and fibromyalgia?
Unfortunately, both debilitating conditions can co-exist together. In fact, studies reveal that prolonged fibromyalgia pain can eventually trigger CFS. When this happens, you can expect extreme flare-ups and crippling symptoms. It will also lead to extreme tiredness that won’t wear off even when you sleep more than eight hours a day.
If you think you have fibromyalgia, we recommend consulting your primary doctor as soon as possible. This will help you curb the symptoms early on and find what remedies you can try to prevent it from triggering CFS.
Experience Rochester Hills MI Fibromyalgia Relief
While fibromyalgia and CFS have a few distinct characteristics, it’s worth noting that they share several similarities. They also have a connection with postural imbalance, which develops because of trauma, repetitive motion, and poor posture.
This is why it may help to seek an upper cervical doctor to cope with your CFS and fibromyalgia symptoms. By receiving upper cervical care, you can address structural abnormalities that may be triggering problems like central sensitization or abnormal energy metabolism.
It will also help you retrain the spine so you can get rid of postural imbalance and signal interferences between your brain and body. This may be your key to unlocking fibromyalgia or CFS-free life.
We strongly recommend coming to our practice for a quick assessment. This way, we can check the exact measurements of your C1 and C2 bone misalignment, nerve damage, changes in your leg length, and physical signs like muscle stiffness.
Once we have everything needed, we can customize the NUCCA adjustments required to restore your head and neck bones to their proper places.
Experience lasting Rochester Hills MI fibromyalgia relief with the help of our NUCCA chiropractor. Call us at 248-831-0729 or send your queries through our online form.
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