Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a condition of extreme fatigue that can last for at least six months. It is a very complicated and mysterious ailment, and not too much is known about the causes. 

It can make you feel even more exhausted after mental and physical activity, but rest doesn’t help at all. 

It occurs when a person is overwhelmed and under much mental and physical strain. No matter how much a person may sleep and rest, they will simply not feel refreshed and continue to feel exhausted and unwell.

Without proper rest, it can have severe effects on one’s body and mind as sleep and giving time to regenerate is crucial to function correctly inside out. 

What Does Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Feel (CFS) Like? 

Often people have described this ailment to feel similar to being underwater as the view on reality feels warped. Muffled and incoherent in some cases, there is no focus and often confusion. 

Even the simplest tasks can feel challenging and take longer to complete than usual. In addition, chronic fatigue can affect day-to-day activities and make everyday life feel hard. 

Waking up each morning and even though you have slept, it feels as if you have gotten no rest at all. Often also waking throughout the night for no apparent reason. It causes trouble with multitasking and concentration. 

Causes of Chronic Fatigue

There isn’t a particular understanding of the root causes of chronic fatigue syndrome or how it happens in the medical sense, but there are some factors that tend to be linked and trigger the causes of chronic fatigue syndrome, and they are; 

• Hormonal imbalance 
• Weakened immune system 
• Viruses
• Stress 
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Human herpesvirus
• Rubella virus
• Ross River virus 

These are all contributing factors, and it is also believed that chronic fatigue syndrome can develop after having a viral infection. 

Diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex condition to diagnose. In addition, its symptoms are similar to other health conditions, and sometimes the patient may not “look sick,” making it easy to be looked over or mistaken for another illness. 

One of the better ways to determine the diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is for your doctor to rule out any other conditions that it could be. They will also review your medical history and ask questions about what you have been experiencing. 

It is all about deduction when it comes to diagnosis of chronic fatigue. Many illnesses closely resemble CFS, which include; 

• Severe obesity
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme disease
• Lupus
• Major depressive disorder
• Sleep disorders
• Multiple sclerosis
• Mononucleosis
• Hypothyroidism

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms depend on the individual and the severity of the condition. However, if your chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms is severe, it can bring on other disorders such as; 

• Chronic insomnia
• Feeling refreshed
• Other sleep disorders

Due to this, you will also experience some of these chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms; 

• Memory loss
• Orthostatic intolerance (feeling dizzy, faint, or lightheaded after standing up) 
• Trouble with concentration

The physical chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms that you may experience from chronic fatigue syndrome are;

• Frequent sore throat
• Swollen and tender lymph nodes (in the neck and armpits)
• Joint pain
• Frequent headaches
• Muscle pain 

A cycle of remission and relapse may make it more difficult to manage or prevent the symptoms, but there is hope.

Chronic Fatigue Treatment 

There is no chronic fatigue syndrome treatment. There are, however, ways to treat the symptoms and make them more manageable. 

Every person experiences it differently and has different symptoms, so it is advised to speak to your healthcare provider to help create a chronic fatigue syndrome treatment plan suited for you. 

Some chronic fatigue syndrome treatment recommendations may include:

Addressing post-exertional malaise (PEM) symptoms will occur due to emotional, mental, and physical exertion, which will make chronic fatigue symptoms worse.

Home remedies and lifestyle changes can help reduce symptoms—changes such as limiting caffeine intake, avoiding nicotine and alcohol, and avoiding napping during the day. Napping can affect your ability to sleep at night. It’s advised to create a realistic sleeping routine you can stick to.

Medications – there isn’t one miracle pill that can solve all your symptoms. They will have to be prescribed medication individually. In addition, these symptoms can change over time, which means your prescription will have to do the same. 

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FAQ

1. Who are the most at risk of developing CFS? People in their 40s and 50s are more likely to develop a chronic sleep disorder. It is mainly found amongst this age group.
2. Do CFS and depression coexist? Yes, however, CFS is not just caused by depression. They do often coexist in patients who suffer from CFS.
3. Which gender is more affected by CFS? It has been proven that women suffer more from chronic fatigue syndrome than men. 

Healthier Me Today is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment. Always consult with your healthcare professional. Stay healthy!