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Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex ailment defined by excessive exhaustion that lasts at least six months and cannot be explained adequately by an underlying medical condition. The tiredness gets worse with physical or mental exertion, but it doesn't get better with rest.
Other distinguishing symptoms include:
- Sleep that isn't rejuvenating
- Memory, focus, and concentration problems
- Dizziness that worsens when you stand up from lying down or sitting.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis is another name for this illness (ME). ME/CFS is a common abbreviation. Systemic exertional intolerance disease is the most recent term offered (SEID).
Although the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is uncertain, there are numerous ideas ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some specialists feel that chronic fatigue syndrome is caused by a combination of causes.
There is no single test that can be used to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. A battery of medical tests may be required to rule out other health conditions with comparable symptoms. The goal of chronic fatigue syndrome treatment is to alleviate symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME?
Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms differ from person to person, and the degree of symptoms varies from day to day. Among the signs and symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Unknown cause of muscle or joint discomfort
- Dizziness that worsens when you stand up from lying down or sitting.
- Sleep that isn't refreshing
- Exhaustion from physical or mental exertion
- Memory or concentration problems
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Lymph nodes in your neck or armpits that are enlarged
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME?
The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is uncertain. Some people are predisposed to the illness from birth, which is then activated by a combination of events. Possible triggers include:
- Infections caused by viruses: Because some patients get chronic fatigue syndrome following a viral infection, experts wonder if certain viruses are to blame. The Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus 6 are two suspect viruses. There has yet to be discovered a conclusive link.
- Immune system issues: People with chronic fatigue syndrome appear to have slightly weakened immune systems, but it's unclear if this is enough to develop the condition.
- Hormonal imbalances: Chronic fatigue syndrome patients may also have aberrant blood levels of hormones generated by the hypothalamus, pituitary glands, or adrenal glands. However, the relevance of these anomalies remains uncertain.
- Trauma, either physical or emotional: Some people claim that their symptoms began as a result of an injury, surgery, or major mental stress.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME?
The following factors may raise your risk of chronic fatigue syndrome:
Age: Chronic fatigue syndrome can strike anyone at any age, however it primarily affects young to middle-aged adults.
Sex: Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome far more frequently than males, but this could just be because women are more inclined to disclose their symptoms to a doctor.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME?
Chronic fatigue syndrome can lead to the following complications:
- Lifestyle constraints
- Increased work absences
- Isolation from others
- Depression
HOW CAN CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME BE DIAGNOSED?
There is no single test that can be used to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. Symptoms can be similar to those of a variety of other health issues, including:
- Sleep problems: Sleep disturbances can contribute to chronic fatigue. A sleep study can tell you if you have sleep disorders such obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia.
- Medical issues: Fatigue is a common symptom of various medical diseases, including anemia, diabetes, and hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism). Lab testing can look for evidence of some of the top suspects in your blood.
- Problems with mental health: Fatigue is often a symptom of a number of mental health issues, including sadness and anxiety. A counselor can assist you in determining which of these issues is causing your exhaustion.
People with chronic fatigue syndrome are also more likely to have additional health issues, such as sleep disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, depression, or anxiety.
In fact, there are so many symptoms that overlap between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia that some researchers believe the two conditions are different manifestations of the same disease.
Criteria for diagnosis
The fatigue associated with chronic fatigue syndrome is defined by the United States Institute of Medicine as follows:
- It is so severe that it impairs the capacity to engage in pre-illness activities.
- new or distinct onset (not lifelong)
- Rest does not significantly help.
- Aggravated by physical, mental, or emotional effort
A person would also need to have at least one of the following two symptoms to meet the Institute of Medicine's diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Memory, focus, and concentration problems
- Dizziness that worsens when you stand up from lying down or sitting.
These symptoms must continue at least six months and occur at least half of the time with moderate, significant, or severe intensity.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME?
Chronic tiredness syndrome has no known remedy. The focus of treatment is on symptom alleviation. The most bothersome or incapacitating symptoms should be addressed first.
Medications
Some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can be alleviated with prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Here are several examples:
Depression: Many people who have long-term health issues, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, suffer from depression. Treating your depression can help you manage with the issues connected with chronic fatigue syndrome. Low doses of some antidepressants can also help with sleep and pain relief.
Orthostatic intolerance: When standing or sitting upright, some persons with chronic fatigue syndrome, particularly adolescents, feel faint or queasy. Medications to control blood pressure or cardiac arrhythmias may be beneficial.
Pain: If over-the-counter treatments like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) don't relieve your symptoms sufficiently, prescription drugs used to treat fibromyalgia may be a choice for you. Pregabalin (Lyrica), duloxetine (Cymbalta), amitriptyline, and gabapentin are examples (Neurontin).
Therapy
Many people who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome benefit from:
- Counseling: Counseling can help you develop coping skills for dealing with chronic disease, manage constraints at job or school, and enhance family dynamics. It can also aid with depression management.
- Taking care of sleep issues: Sleep deprivation might make dealing with other symptoms more challenging. Your doctor may advise you to avoid coffee or alter your bedtime routine. A gadget that delivers air pressure through a mask while you sleep can be used to treat sleep apnea.
- Exercise: Aggressive exercise regimens frequently increase symptoms, but it is critical to maintain activities that are tolerated in order to avoid deconditioning. Exercise routines that begin at a low intensity and gradually rise in intensity over time may be beneficial in improving long-term function.
Post-exertional malaise
Chronic fatigue syndrome patients experience worsened symptoms after exerting physical, mental, or emotional effort. This is known as post-exercise malaise, and it might continue for days or weeks following the workout.
People who suffer from post-exertional malaise frequently struggle to strike a healthy balance between exercise and relaxation. The idea is to be active without going overboard.
Keep a daily log of your activities and symptoms so you can see how much activity is too much for you. This may help you avoid pushing yourself too hard on days when you feel fantastic, which can lead to a "crash" in which you feel considerably worse later.