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Everyone experiences fatigue from time to time. Usually sleep and rest help get rid of it, but there are situations when this does not work.
If this happens constantly, then this is a reason to consult a doctor. In the article we talk about chronic fatigue syndrome and how to live with it.
Chronic fatigue syndrome: what is it?
As the name suggests, chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition in which a person constantly feels very tired and gets tired quickly. This condition persists for at least six months, and fatigue is not explained by any disease.
Physical and mental stress aggravates the condition, and rest and sleep do not alleviate it.
In addition to fatigue, you may experience:
- headache,
- dizziness,
- pain in muscles or joints,
- problems with memory and concentration,
- enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpits,
- sleep problems (a person has difficulty falling asleep and often wakes up).
Why does chronic fatigue syndrome occur?
The exact reasons are unknown. Scientists believe that some people may be born with a predisposition to this disease (risk factors are discussed below), and a number of unfavorable conditions can trigger the development of the syndrome.
Possible causes of chronic fatigue syndrome:
- Viral infections.
Scientists primarily “suspect” the Epstein-Barr virus and human herpes virus type six, but a convincing connection between these viruses and the syndrome has not yet been found.
- “Problems” with immunity.
The immune system of people with chronic fatigue syndrome appears to be slightly compromised. But it is not yet clear whether such disruption is sufficient to cause the syndrome.
- Hormonal imbalance.
Sometimes patients diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome have disturbances in the level of hormones in the blood, but the cause-and-effect relationship between these disturbances and the development of the syndrome is, again, not clear.
- Physical or emotional trauma.
Some people report that they experienced trauma, surgery, or significant emotional stress shortly before the onset of symptoms.
Risk factors
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Experts say that chronic fatigue syndrome occurs 2-4 times more often in women than in men. However, it is possible that such a “skew” arises due to the fact that women, in principle, more often go to the doctor with complaints of fatigue and, therefore, are more likely to receive a diagnosis.
Age
The disease can appear at any time in life. However, there are two peaks: in adolescence (from 10 to 19 years) and in adulthood (from 30 to 39 years). Scientists have not undertaken a thorough assessment of the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome in the world due to difficulties in making a diagnosis.
Genetics
Another possible risk factor, in addition to gender and age, is genetic predisposition. Experts have found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have differences in the functioning of genes involved in the functioning of the immune system.
You can evaluate your genetic predisposition to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome with the Whole Genome test .
Another possible risk factor, in addition to gender and age, is genetic predisposition. Experts have found that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have differences in the functioning of genes involved in the functioning of the immune system.
You can evaluate your genetic predisposition to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome with the Whole Genome test .
Chronic fatigue syndrome and COVID-19
In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are faced with the so-called post-Covid syndrome. Among its symptoms are the same as those of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Similar symptoms of CFS and COVID-19:
- constant feeling of fatigue,
- sleep problems,
- difficulties with concentration and memory,
- dizziness,
- muscle pain and headaches,
- depressed mood.
Despite the fact that these syndromes are so similar, and many patients claim that they developed CFS after suffering a viral illness, scientists cannot yet say that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between these diseases.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is also not on the list of diseases that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. However, scientists still recommend that patients with confirmed chronic fatigue be more attentive to their health and, if possible, not expose themselves to unnecessary risk of contracting a coronavirus infection.
In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are faced with the so-called post-Covid syndrome. Among its symptoms are the same as those of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Similar symptoms of CFS and COVID-19:
- constant feeling of fatigue,
- sleep problems,
- difficulties with concentration and memory,
- dizziness,
- muscle pain and headaches,
- depressed mood.
Despite the fact that these syndromes are so similar, and many patients claim that they developed CFS after suffering a viral illness, scientists cannot yet say that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between these diseases.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is also not on the list of diseases that increase the risk of severe COVID-19. However, scientists still recommend that patients with confirmed chronic fatigue be more attentive to their health and, if possible, not expose themselves to unnecessary risk of contracting a coronavirus infection.
How is chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosed?
Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are nonspecific and can indicate a wide range of other health problems.
Thus, a feeling of fatigue can be caused by a lack of certain vitamins and microelements, for example, vitamin D or iron , sleep problems such as insomnia, apnea, restless legs syndrome, or diseases: diabetes, hypothyroidism, depression.
Some diagnoses can be excluded using blood, urine and stool tests. To confirm CFS, after conducting tests, the doctor will need a lot of other data: the patient’s medical history, a detailed conversation with him, dynamic observation of symptoms, tests for the psychological state.
Experts agree that a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is made if the patient’s condition meets three criteria:
● the feeling of fatigue does not go away for six months or more and is so strong that it prevents the patient from doing activities that were usual before the illness;
● physical, mental or emotional stress worsens a person’s condition;
● sleep and rest do not help.
In addition to the “must” symptoms listed above, the patient must have at least one of the following two problems:
● difficulties with concentration and memory;
● dizziness, which intensifies when changing body position (when moving from a sitting position to a lying position and vice versa).
Chronic fatigue syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are nonspecific and can indicate a wide range of other health problems.
Thus, a feeling of fatigue can be caused by a lack of certain vitamins and microelements, for example, vitamin D or iron , sleep problems such as insomnia, apnea, restless legs syndrome, or diseases: diabetes, hypothyroidism, depression.
Some diagnoses can be excluded using blood, urine and stool tests. To confirm CFS, after conducting tests, the doctor will need a lot of other data: the patient’s medical history, a detailed conversation with him, dynamic observation of symptoms, tests for the psychological state.
Experts agree that a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is made if the patient’s condition meets three criteria:
● the feeling of fatigue does not go away for six months or more and is so strong that it prevents the patient from doing activities that were usual before the illness;
● physical, mental or emotional stress worsens a person’s condition;
● sleep and rest do not help.
In addition to the “must” symptoms listed above, the patient must have at least one of the following two problems:
● difficulties with concentration and memory;
● dizziness, which intensifies when changing body position (when moving from a sitting position to a lying position and vice versa).
How is chronic fatigue syndrome treated?
There are no medications that can get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, doctors may prescribe medications to relieve the symptoms of this condition.
Medicines used to relieve CFS help :
- Normalize sleep. However, experts warn that these drugs may have side effects, some of which coincide with the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome itself (daytime sleepiness, dizziness, memory problems), so you need to select medications very carefully.
- Get rid of dizziness.
- Improve mood. For this, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants, but in some cases, doctors recommend cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Get rid of pain in muscles and joints. For this purpose, different classes of painkillers are used.
- Increase energy. You should be careful with these drugs, because in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome they can cause overexcitement, irritability, and a sharp deterioration in condition after the drug wears off.
There are no medications that can get rid of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, doctors may prescribe medications to relieve the symptoms of this condition.
Medicines used to relieve CFS help :
- Normalize sleep. However, experts warn that these drugs may have side effects, some of which coincide with the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome itself (daytime sleepiness, dizziness, memory problems), so you need to select medications very carefully.
- Get rid of dizziness.
- Improve mood. For this, the doctor may prescribe antidepressants, but in some cases, doctors recommend cognitive behavioral therapy.
- Get rid of pain in muscles and joints. For this purpose, different classes of painkillers are used.
- Increase energy. You should be careful with these drugs, because in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome they can cause overexcitement, irritability, and a sharp deterioration in condition after the drug wears off.
How can people with CFS improve their quality of life?
Patients with this disease have difficulty fulfilling their work responsibilities, lack the energy to engage in hobbies, and suffer relationships with family and friends.
Experts, in addition to taking medications and constant monitoring by a doctor, recommend paying attention to lifestyle and the formation of new habits.
Changing your work schedule (switching to flexible working hours with the opportunity to rest during the day) can help , and using paper diaries or apps with a task reminder function can solve some problems with forgetfulness.
Doctors advise learning to distribute strength and energy throughout the day: so, if a person feels better, you should not try to complete as many tasks as possible during this period, because then, after the end of the “active” period, everything can only get worse.
It’s worth planning your day more carefully, allowing plenty of time for each task. We are even talking about everyday things, such as breakfast or taking a shower.
It is necessary to switch to a healthy and balanced diet. Many people report that the Mediterranean diet helps them . You should avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine and sweets.
Although exercise tends to worsen the condition of people with chronic fatigue syndrome, exercise is still necessary to maintain overall health. Doctors advise turning to specialists and with their help choosing the optimal schedule of training and exercises - such that they do not cause unnecessary fatigue. True, this task can be difficult.
Patients with this disease have difficulty fulfilling their work responsibilities, lack the energy to engage in hobbies, and suffer relationships with family and friends.
Experts, in addition to taking medications and constant monitoring by a doctor, recommend paying attention to lifestyle and the formation of new habits.
Changing your work schedule (switching to flexible working hours with the opportunity to rest during the day) can help , and using paper diaries or apps with a task reminder function can solve some problems with forgetfulness.
Doctors advise learning to distribute strength and energy throughout the day: so, if a person feels better, you should not try to complete as many tasks as possible during this period, because then, after the end of the “active” period, everything can only get worse.
It’s worth planning your day more carefully, allowing plenty of time for each task. We are even talking about everyday things, such as breakfast or taking a shower.
It is necessary to switch to a healthy and balanced diet. Many people report that the Mediterranean diet helps them . You should avoid smoking, alcohol, caffeine and sweets.
Although exercise tends to worsen the condition of people with chronic fatigue syndrome, exercise is still necessary to maintain overall health. Doctors advise turning to specialists and with their help choosing the optimal schedule of training and exercises - such that they do not cause unnecessary fatigue. True, this task can be difficult.
Checklist: chronic fatigue syndrome
● It is normal to feel tired from time to time. Normal fatigue goes away if a person gets enough sleep, watches his diet and engages in physical activity.
● If fatigue persists for several months and affects your quality of life, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
● Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are nonspecific and may indicate another disease. To make a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary.
● There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but different types of medications can help manage the symptoms and provide relief to the patient.
● Lifestyle changes play no less a role than medications: careful attention to nutrition and sports, work and rest schedules, organization of free and working time.
● Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome can successfully cope with the symptoms of the disease and lead a normal life.
With the help of the Atlas Genetic Test results , you can better understand your body and how it works. This will help you choose the right diet and the right physical activity to maintain and increase your energy supply for an active life.
● It is normal to feel tired from time to time. Normal fatigue goes away if a person gets enough sleep, watches his diet and engages in physical activity.
● If fatigue persists for several months and affects your quality of life, this is a reason to consult a doctor.
● Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are nonspecific and may indicate another disease. To make a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary.
● There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, but different types of medications can help manage the symptoms and provide relief to the patient.
● Lifestyle changes play no less a role than medications: careful attention to nutrition and sports, work and rest schedules, organization of free and working time.
● Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome can successfully cope with the symptoms of the disease and lead a normal life.
With the help of the Atlas Genetic Test results , you can better understand your body and how it works. This will help you choose the right diet and the right physical activity to maintain and increase your energy supply for an active life.
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