A complicated condition that causes extreme fatigue for at least 6 months is called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The symptoms usually worsen with mental or physical activity and do not improve completely with rest. Healthcare providers do not know the exact cause of CFS but believe multiple factors are involved.
Furthermore, there are no tests to confirm this condition. Thus, you will need multiple tests to exclude other health conditions that cause similar symptoms. The goal of the treatment is to lessen the symptoms.
Symptoms
People with this condition usually experience different symptoms along with fatigue. These include:
- Extreme exhaustion after mental or physical activity
- Thinking skills or memory problems
- Dizziness
- Muscle or joint pain
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Sore throat
- Headaches
- Under the lymph nodes in the neck or armpits
- Increased sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells
It is advised to see a doctor if you experience fatigue and it does not go away for long periods.
Causes
The cause of CFS is unknown, but experts think a combination of factors may cause the disease. For example:
- Genetics – Certain genes that contribute to CFS may run in families.
- Infections – In some cases, myalgic encephalomyelitis may occur after getting better from a bacterial or viral infection.
- Emotional or physical trauma – There are people who reported that they experienced an injury, surgery, or significant emotional stress before CFS symptoms began.
- Energy usage problems – Some people with CFS may have problems with converting the body’s fuel, primarily fats and sugars, into energy.
Risk Factors
Physicians have identified some factors that could elevate your risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome. Check some examples below:
- Age – While the disease may occur at any age, it mostly appears in young to middle-aged adults.
- Sex – Females are diagnosed with CFS more frequently than males. However, there are no studies that show women are more likely to develop chronic fatigue syndrome than men.
- Other medical conditions – People with complex medical issues, including fibromyalgia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and others, are at higher risk of developing chronic fatigue syndrome.
What Are The Possible Complications of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
The symptoms usually come and go because they are triggered by physical activity or emotional distress. As a result, it may interact with work and other activities.
Diagnosis
Unfortunately, there are no tests that can confirm this disease. Moreover, there are multiple health conditions that cause similar symptoms. Check below some examples:
- Sleep disorders – Fatigue is a symptom of sleeping disorders. Healthcare providers usually perform a sleep study to identify if you have sleeping problems, including obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, or insomnia.
- Other medical conditions – Fatigue is the main symptom of multiple health problems. For example, anemia, diabetes, underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and others.
- Mental health problems – The primary symptoms of CFS also characterize multiple mental disorders (such as anxiety and depression). If your doctor suspects a mental disorder, you may be referred to a counselor.
Generally, it is common for people with CFS to have other health problems at the same time. For example, irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, sleep disorders, and others.
Diagnostic Criteria
There are some guidelines proposed by the U.S. Institute of Medicine to define the fatigue linked with CFS. It is usually:
- Severe as it interacts with the ability to engage in activities
- Not alleviated by rest
- Worsened by physical, emotional, or mental exertion
Usually, to confirm the disease, symptoms should last at least 6 months and be from moderate to severe.
Treatment
This condition cannot be cured, and the treatment goal is to lessen the symptoms. Check below some treatments usually recommended by doctors for people with CFS:
Medicines
There are some problems linked with CFS that can be treated with the following medicines. For example:
- Pain – Doctors may recommend some over-the-counter pain relievers (such as Naproxen sodium or Ibuprofen) or prescription medicines to treat fibromyalgia. For example, Pregabalin, Duloxetine, Amitriptyline, or Gabapentin.
- Orthostatic intolerance – Sometimes, people with CFS feel faint or nauseated when they stand or sit upright. In such cases, physicians recommend blood pressure medicines.
- Antidepressants – Almost all people with long-term chronic fatigue syndrome experience mental health problems (such as depression). Antidepressants may make it easier to cope with the problems linked with CFS. Furthermore, low antidepressant doses can improve sleep and lessen pain.
Post-exertional Malaise
Commonly, people with chronic fatigue syndrome notice that symptoms worsen with physical or mental activity. It is called post-exertional malaise, and it often begins within 24 hours after the activity. In most cases, it lasts up to a few days or weeks.
However, people cannot find a good balance between rest and activity. Thus, it is advised to continue activity but without overdoing it (also known as pacing). The pacing goal is to prevent worsening of the symptoms and get you back to the same level of activity you had when you were healthy.
Sleeping Problems
In addition, sleeping disturbances may also worsen the symptoms of existing health conditions. Discuss with your healthcare provider how to improve your sleep or about treatments for sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea). Physicians may also recommend avoiding caffeine, quitting smoking, and dietary changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?
Check below the most common symptoms of CFS:
- Severe fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Sleeping problems
- Pain (including headaches and abdominal or joint pain)
- Cognitive impairment (such as difficulty focusing and concentrating, memory problems, and others)
- Increased sensitivity to light, sound, or odors
- Sore throat
This article does not contain a complete list of chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms. However, if any of the previous one occurs, immediately contact your healthcare provider.
What is the best treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome?
While there are no treatments to cure the disease, the following ones focus on treating the symptoms. For example:
- Medicines
- Physical therapy
- Supportive counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Activity management
However, treatments for people with chronic fatigue syndrome may vary because they depend on multiple factors. For example, the underlying condition, overall health, your age, preferences, and others.
What can be mistaken for chronic fatigue syndrome?
There are no specific tests that can confirm this disease. Therefore, multiple diseases can be mistaken for CFS. Examples include:
- Fibromyalgia
- Endocrine disorders (such as Addison’s disease, thyroid dysfunction, and others)
- Autoimmune diseases (including Lupus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Mental health problems (such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and others)
- Sleep disorders (such as obstructive sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and others)
- Infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, mononucleosis, Lyme disease, and others)
- Chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, anemia, cancer, and others)
- Certain medicines
- Celiac disease
If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare provider.
