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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Specialist

Firshein Center Richard Firshein, D.O. Our Services Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Richard Firshein, D.O. - - Integrative Medicine

Firshein Center

Richard Firshein, D.O.

Integrative Medicine & Family Medicine located in Manhattan, Upper East Side, NY

The exact number of those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in the United States is thought to be somewhere between 800,000 and 2.5 million. The reason for the large range is that this disease often goes undiagnosed, which underscores the importance of having an expert like Dr. Richard Firshein get involved. At his practice, the Firshein Center, Dr. Firshein helps patients on the Manhattan of Upper East Side with a new paradigm of holistic and personalized precision-based medicine combined with the rigors of a Western medical approach. For more information, call or book an appointment using the online scheduler.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a highly complex and often misunderstood condition that brings on fatigue no matter how well rested you may be. The condition has other names — systemic exertion intolerance disease or myalgic encephalomyelitis — but no matter what it’s called, CFS can have an enormous impact on your quality of life.

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

Though the name of this condition describes the primary symptom of CFS — fatigue — how this fatigue presents itself can vary. For example, the fatigue can come on the heels of exercise or exertion or it may be a constant companion, confining you to your bed on most days. Frustratingly, this fatigue is present no matter how much sleep you may have had.

There are other symptoms of CFS, including:

  • Cognitive difficulties
  • Widespread aches and pains
  • Sore throat
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Headaches

The symptoms that come on with CFS are similar to those of other diseases, which is why you need to have an expert in CFS like your provider at the Firshein Center assess your problem.

What causes chronic fatigue syndrome?

There’s no known cause of CFS. Many medical researchers believe that you may be genetically predisposed to CFS, which can be triggered by:

  • Viral infections
  • A problem with your immune system
  • Hormonal imbalances
  • Stress

CFS appears to affect women more than men, which may be a reporting issue, and typically develops in your 40s or 50s.

How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?

Because there’s no identifiable cause of CFS, there’s no test that positively diagnoses the condition. That said, Dr. Firshein has extensive experience with CFS and understands the warning flags. Through extensive testing, including metabolic testing, and a thorough evaluation to rule out other causes for your fatigue, he can figure out whether CFS is at the root of your problems.

If Dr. Firshein diagnoses CFS, he takes an approach that relies on holistic and personalized precision-based medicine that’s combined with the rigors of Western medicine, which includes:

  • Nutritional counseling
  • Nutraceutical therapy
  • Medications to help with pain
  • Lifestyle recommendations
  • Relaxation and breathing techniques to battle stress
  • Acupuncture

There’s no magic bullet when it comes to CFS, but, rest assured, Dr. Firshein works with you until you can better manage this chronic illness.

To get specialized treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, call the Firshein Center, or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment.

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