All Posts tagged Chronic fatigue

Always Tired? What is Chronic Fatigue and What Can Help?

woman sleepy at her deskIt’s that feeling of not physically being able to get out of bed. The sensation that you yawn more than you smile. The anxiety when you realize you cannot even conceive of completing even the most mundane chores such as stopping by the post office or making your bed because you are just so overwhelmingly, distractedly exhausted. If feelings of chronic fatigue last for several weeks or months and you don’t believe that a temporary period of overwork or an over complicated schedule is to blame, you may be suffering from a condition called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also referred to as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), sometimes abbreviated as ME/CFS.

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

ME/CFS is a disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by an underlying medical condition, and that sometimes becomes more severe with mental or physical activity. While accurate estimates are difficult to obtain due to the variety of underlying conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of ME/CFS, scientists estimate that there may be as many as 17 to 24 million people living with ME/CFS around the world.

What are the Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

CFS symptoms may include:

  • Persistent, overwhelming fatigue.
  • Extreme exhaustion that lasts more than 24 hours after physical or mental strain.
  • Waking from sleep without feeling satisfied or refreshed.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • Memory loss.
  • Headaches.
  • Muscle or joint pain.
  • A sore throat.
  • Enlarged lymph nodes in your armpits or neck.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

While doctors do not fully understand the cause of this disruptive disorder, some believe it may be caused by a viral infection, while others cite the root cause as psychological stress or other combining factors. Still, others have hypothesized that the cause may be genetic, believing that some individuals are innately hypersensitive to normal amounts of activity and exercise. They believe these individuals may have been born with a predisposition to CFS and then a single impactful episode triggers the onset of symptoms. Such impactful factors may include:

  • A viral infection
  • Immune system complications
  • Hormonal imbalances

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Diagnosis

Your doctor may need to conduct several tests and exams to provide a definitive diagnosis of CFS while ruling out other underlying medical conditions of which generalized and persistent malaise may be a symptom.

What Treatment Options are Available for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

While there is no cure or vaccine to guard against CFS, your doctor will work with you to establish a treatment plan that focuses on symptom mitigation. Such treatment options may include:

  • Medications. This treatment option is most applicable to those living with CFS and depression. By treating depression, patients may be better capable of managing their CFS symptoms.
  • Cognitive Therapy. Patients with CFS report that regularly speaking with a counselor helps them to cope with the limitations of their condition and learn to take back control by overcoming debilitating symptoms, especially when combined with a low-impact exercise program.
  • Graded Exercise. Mild forms of exercise can help mitigate feelings of exhaustion in CFS patients. Be sure to work with a physical therapist who can design a training program and monitor your progress.

How to Get Help

Talk to your doctor if you believe you may be suffering from CFS. If you do not have CFS, another medical condition or illness may be leaving you feeling drained, and your doctor can provide an accurate diagnosis and work with you to create a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms and become re-engaged in your daily activities.

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When Nighttime Zzs are Not Enough

Woman tiredWhen does a few consecutive sleepy days turn into a more general malaise and fatigue that could be indicative of a larger problem? The average adult needs seven and a half to nine hours of sleep per night. Whether you are meeting your nighttime sleep goals or not, if you are consistently experiencing an overwhelming fatigue that is impacting your lifestyle, talk to your doctor. You may be able to improve your snooze with a few lifestyle changes, or you may need to treat an underlying health condition.

What Does Chronic Fatigue Feel Like?
Everyone has experienced sleepiness at some point, but chronic fatigue is a much more overwhelming and debilitating condition. It is a lingering tiredness that is constant and limiting.

What Causes Feelings of Fatigue?
The following factors could be causing your consistent sleepy sensations:

  • Not enough hours of sleep per night
  • An unhealthy diet
  • Regular use of alcohol
  • Regular use of recreational drugs
  • A rigorous daily exercise routine or a physically demanding job
  • Stress
  • Obesity
  • Insufficient daily physical activity
  • Jet lag
  • Medications that cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines
  • A recent concussion
  • Grief
  • Medical treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy

If you are experiencing feelings of unrelenting exhaustion, and if you believe it is not related to any of the factors on the list above, talk to your doctor. He or she may test you for one of the following more complex health conditions that has been known to cause fatigue:

  • Cancer
  • Major depressive disorder
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Sleep apnea
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
  • Acute liver failure
  • Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Chronic infection or inflammation
  • Emphysema
  • Heart disease
  • Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)
  • Hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Multiple sclerosis

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
An additional potential cause of persistent feelings of fatigue is a condition that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), impacts over one million people in the United States. Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a physical condition marked by overwhelming fatigue and weakness that makes it difficult to perform daily tasks. Those who suffer from CFS often report difficulty getting out of bed, dressing, and eating. No amount of sleep or rest can eliminate the feelings of exhaustion experienced by CFS sufferers.

While the cause of CFS is not known, it is believed that the condition may be caused by a dysfunction of the immune and central nervous syndrome. If CFS is the cause of your fatigue, your doctor will be able to diagnose the condition and prescribe a treatment plan.

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