Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), affects an estimated 1-2.5 million people in the U.S. and disproportionately impacts women between the ages of 30-50. Yet, despite its prevalence, CFS remains one of the most misunderstood and misdiagnosed conditions in medicine.

At the Restorative Medicine Center, we see CFS for what it really is: a downstream descriptive diagnosis—a label that describes your symptoms but tells you nothing about why they are happening. Instead of digging deeper, conventional medicine often stops at the diagnosis, leaving patients stuck with a name rather than real answers.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

CFS is characterized by persistent, unrelenting fatigue that is not relieved by rest and worsens with exertion (post-exertional malaise). It often coexists with brain fog, immune dysfunction, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances—making daily life exhausting and unpredictable.

Why the Diagnosis Alone Falls Short

Being told you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is like being told you have "Unexplained Pain Syndrome"—it simply describes your experience but offers no insight into the root cause. Too often, doctors assign the label and move on, blaming all symptoms on the CFS umbrella rather than identifying what’s actually causing them. It makes no sense.

Common Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:

• Extreme fatigue – Persistent exhaustion that worsens with activity
• Brain fog – Memory lapses, trouble concentrating, and mental fatigue
• Post-exertional malaise – A severe energy crash after physical or mental effort
• Sleep disturbances – Non-restorative sleep and difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Muscle and joint pain – Widespread discomfort without clear injury
• Dizziness and orthostatic intolerance – Feeling lightheaded when standing
• Immune dysfunction – Frequent infections, inflammation, or food sensitivities

Who is at Risk?

• Women – CFS is diagnosed two to four times more frequently in women than men.
• People recovering from infections – Many cases are triggered by viral, bacterial, or tick-borne infections such as Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), Lyme, or COVID-19.
• Those with a history of mold or toxin exposure – Environmental triggers can play a major role in immune dysregulation.
• Individuals with chronic stress or trauma – The nervous system’s ability to regulate inflammation and energy production is often compromised in those with a history of physical, emotional, or infectious stressors.

Our Root Cause Approach

Rather than treating CFS as a single condition, we see it as a symptom of deeper dysfunction in the body. Using advanced testing and a Root Cause Triad  lens, we explore:
✅ Underlying infections – Reactivated viruses (EBV, HHV-6), Borrelia, Babsia, Bartonella, Candida
✅ Autonomic nervous system dysregulation – How the brain and body respond to stress
✅ Immune and inflammatory imbalance – Chronic immune activation or autoimmune responses
✅ Toxicity and environmental stressors – Mold exposure, heavy metals, and chemical sensitivities
✅ Hormonal imbalances – Thyroid, adrenal, and metabolic dysfunction

By addressing the true root causes, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore energy, reduce symptoms, and help you regain your quality of life.

If you’ve been given a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome label without answers, let’s dig deeper and find the why together.