Differentiating between fibromyalgia and CFS can be challenging, no thanks to their overlapping presenting symptoms. The aches and the disruption they cause only make the confusion worse. So, how do you know when to seek CFS or fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City? How can you distinguish between the two strikingly similar conditions? Below are some of the main differences between CFS and fibromyalgia that help doctors diagnose patients:
Hormones
Abnormality in the growth hormone is not present in patients with CFS. A study found a lesser level of somatomedin, an insulin-like growth factor in people diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, the lack of somatomedin in the body affects the growth hormone productions necessary for tissue repair and healing.
There is also higher-level plasma melatonin during nighttime in premenopausal women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. A high level of melatonin indicates the susceptibility of one’s brain to react to stress more sensitively. Consequently, this causes problems to your mental and emotional health.
Another study found a minor deficit in information processing speed for those who have CFS compared to CFS+FM and FM sample patients. Additionally, the findings showed that only the patients diagnosed with CFS experience sleep difficulties during REM sleep.
Genetic factor
Some scientists believe that CFS stems from a viral infection. They believe CFS patients are predisposed to have low amounts of ribonucleic L – a polymer molecule that protects the body from infections. As a result, CFS patients have a higher chance of getting infected with viral diseases.
Additionally, patients with CFS show a rise in anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to those with FM after rigorous exercise. This suggests that the body of a CFS patient is more proactive in alarming the body’s immune system than FM.
Self-regulating functions
Exercising is supposed to be a fun and healthy activity. It helps improve various body functions like body circulation, sleeping, and pain sensitivity. Sadly, the opposite happens for CFS patients. In a 2018 study, researchers found that 90 percent of CFS patients suffer from post-exertional malaise. These patients develop both physical, emotional, and cognitive distress.
On the other hand, FM patients respond better to low-impact exercises. Often, FM patients show a normal blood pressure and heart rate range compared to those with CFS.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The constant dull ache that lasts up to least three months is one of the chief complaints of patients seeking fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City. Notably, many FM patients also feel tired even after getting enough sleep. Some also develop other disorders like sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome, two health concerns that can significantly impact your overall well-being. Imagine waking up feeling like you’re catching your breath or having problems staying asleep because your legs can’t resist the urge to move or twitch.
It is not surprising that FM patients develop impaired mental function with the above symptoms. Some refer to this as a “fibro-fog,” a fibromyalgia sign that causes various issues, including:
- Failure to have a vague understanding of simple words
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Inability to juggle tasks, especially during a busy and stressful day
- Having difficulty remembering familiar places
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue usually lasts for at least six months. Now, that’s too long for a toxic relationship! To make matters worse, the fatigue doesn’t fade even when you get enough sleep. It also prevents you from doing your favorite activities like walking, jogging or cycling.
Like fibromyalgia, it is not surprising that patients who suffer from this condition have trouble concentrating on any tasks and processing information.
Common complaints of CFS patients also include dizziness that gets worse when switching from sitting to standing and from lying position to sitting position. That makes it more challenging to function.
Enlarged lymph nodes in the areas of neck and armpit, headache, and sore throat are also among the usual problems reported by CFS patients. That’s why doctors and other clinicians usually link CFS to viral infections.
Crossing The Same Streets
The common thing between CFS and FM is that they affect women more. Moreover, both conditions can stem from immune system problems, hence why studies link them to infections and physical and emotional trauma or events.
Whether you suspect having either CFS or fibromyalgia, we recommend consulting with a physician or rheumatologist as soon as possible. This will help you trace your medical history of physical injuries before your symptoms appear. Your clinician might also require you to undergo diagnostic tests like 3D imaging and bone scans to accurately identify the impact of previous accidents. After all, the possibility of physical injury in the neck and head can cause misalignment of the upper cervical spine, particularly the C1 and C2 bones.
These two neck bones perform vital functions like supporting the head and ensuring smooth blood flow and signal transmission in that area. With the compression of these parts, disruption of brain functions might occur. Consequently, this can impact various physiological processes such as maintaining healthy sleeping patterns, detecting body orientation changes, and processing pain and pressure stimuli. Chaos in brain signals may also originate from this misalignment, leaving you at risk of developing conditions like CFS and fibromyalgia.
The Best Source of CFS and Fibromyalgia Relief in Oklahoma City
If you have CFS and fibromyalgia and have a history of neck or head trauma, we recommend exploring upper cervical chiropractic. It’s one of the leading allopathic approaches to coping with crippling conditions like CFS and FM. Basically, it involves fixing misalignments in the upper neck area to negate the effects of vertebral subluxations such as those mentioned above.
For a piece of comprehensive information on this misalignment and how you can improve your condition, you may seek consultation and fibromyalgia relief in Oklahoma City from Precision Chiropractic located at 10420 Greenbriar Parkway Oklahoma City, OK 73159.
Our fibromyalgia chiropractor, uses precise and gentle chiropractic manipulation techniques to realign the C1 and C2. Contact us for your appointment at 405-378-3100 or leave us a message through our website contact form.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sheppard, call our Oklahoma City office at 405-378-3100. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
