*“It’s still an impossible diagnosis - too serious to be fake, too subjective to be real.” ~ Alice Hattrick on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
An Important Distinction
This is a tricky area of health care that needs a crucial distinction addressed upfront. Fatigue can be frequent and stem from nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, gut dysbiosis, infections, stress, and sleep disturbances. This is the type of fatigue Tiger Medical is effective in addressing.
Alternatively, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should be addressed by specialist healthcare professionals.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex and debilitating condition characterized by severe fatigue that is not alleviated by rest and includes other symptoms such as muscle pain, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbances.
There is currently no cure for CFS/ME, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life. Tiger Medical is not an appropriate option if you are diagnosed with CFS/ME.
This article will address three main topics:
- How to Distinguish if You Have Common or Syndrome Fatigue
- Recommendations for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
- How Tiger Medical Treats Fatigue that is Chronic
How to Distinguish if You Have Common or Syndrome Fatigue
Common Fatigue is often characterized by a feeling of tiredness which can cause a variety of factors, such as lack of sleep, physical exertion, emotional stress, or illness.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), on the other hand, is a complex disorder characterized by severe, persistent fatigue that is not alleviated by rest and not caused by another underlying cognition.
To be diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, an individual would typically meet the following criteria:
Have severe fatigue for longer than six months and have at least four of the following symptoms…
- Headache of a new type or severity
- Pain in multiple joints without swelling or inflammation
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue and malaise for over 24 hours after exertion
- Impairment in memory and concentration
- Sore throat
- Tender lymph nodes
- Unrefreshing sleep
It’s essential to consult a physician to rule out other conditions before concluding that you suffer from CFS.
Also, it is important to note that CFS can have several root causes and drivers, so working with a specialist who can identify those factors will be critical to developing an effective treatment plan.
Recommendations for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
If you believe your fatigue is the result of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, here are some specialists options and solutions that may be helpful:
1. Primary Care Physician
A primary care physician can help rule out common contributing factors related to fatigue and refer patients to specialists if necessary.
2. Specialist Physicians
Depending on the symptoms experienced, patients may benefit from seeing a specialist such as a rheumatologist, neurologist, or infectious disease specialist.
3. Integrative Functional Medicine Doctors
Medical or Naturopathic Doctors focusing on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are an excellent route if you have a diagnosis of CFS. They will be able to identify the contributing complex drivers and develop a comprehensive protocol based on your unique situation.
4. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy can help patients cope with the emotional and psychological impact of CFS/ME, as well as help them develop strategies to manage their symptoms.
5. Graded Exercise Therapy (GET)
This involves gradually increasing physical activity levels over time, under the guidance of a healthcare professional, to improve physical function and reduce fatigue.
6. Medications
Several medications may be used to treat specific symptoms of CFS/ME, such as pain, sleep disturbances, and depression. These include pain relievers, sleep aids, and antidepressants.
7. Alternative Therapies
Some patients may find relief from symptoms through alternative therapies such as acupuncture, massage, or nutritional supplements. Discussing these options with a healthcare professional before trying them is essential.
8. Lifestyle Changes
Patients may benefit from lifestyle changes, such as getting enough rest, maintaining a healthy diet, and reducing stress.
It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating CFS/ME. Patients may need to try several treatments before finding the best.
It is also essential for patients to work closely with their healthcare team to monitor symptoms and adjust treatment plans as necessary. The goal should be to find and address the underlying causes of your condition.
How Tiger Medical Treats Fatigue that is Chronic
Tiger employs a three-step process with each patient that has proven to work repeatedly in resolving underlying causes of common symptoms. These symptoms keep you from showing up as the best version of yourself.
Here is how Tiger Medical helps:
- Test for underlying mechanisms driving your fatigue.
- Customize treatment and lifestyle changes specifically for your fatigue.
- Partner with your Tiger doctor and health coach to implement the plan for a year!
Tiger Medical employs advanced tests to view your health profile comprehensively. You complete a health history survey, and our doctors review, interview, and customize your testing based on what they learn about you.
From test results, we customize your health recovery path. You then enter into the Tiger Medical process that generates results consistently over time. You can go here to learn from previous Tiger clients how our approach worked for them!
Your Next Best Steps
If, based on the information you have reviewed here on our website, you feel Tiger Medical is a good fit, then the next best step is to go here to book a call with a Tiger Professional.
In this first call, the meeting is about learning your history, struggles, and goals. This is a valuable assessment process that aids you in deciding if one of Tiger’s programs works to meet your needs.
We want to ensure that you are a good fit for our program and that our Tiger team can help you resolve your challenges.
It’s time to make yourself patient number one and embrace self-care.
The first step in that process is to meet with us to learn how!
10min to read
9min to read