What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), is characterized by extreme fatigue or tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest and can’t be explained by an underlying medical condition, both physically and mentally.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS is defined as debilitating fatigue for 6 months above that does not improve with rest and by excluding all possible chronic causes such as cancer, autoimmune disease, chronic infection, etc., which eventually affect the patient's work, life, or study. You should be aware if you hit 4 or more signs or symptoms from the below physician evaluation:
Symptoms:
- Memory or attention deficit
- Extreme fatigue after labor (no improvement for more than 24 hours)
- Sleep still does not improve fatigue
- Muscle ache
- Non-inflammatory polyarthralgia
- Headache of a different type or severity than before
- recurring sore throat
- swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpit
Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown. Some people may be born with a predisposition for the disorder, which is then triggered by a combination of factors. Potential triggers include:
• Infectious diseases
There are studies suggest CFS might cause by viral infections such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, Lyme disease, or Candida. However, there is no evidence or conclusive link has been found.
Some people who recover from COVID-19 infection are "chronic patients" with persistent symptoms. Some of these symptoms are the result of organ damage from infection and/or treatment, while others may be caused by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, in some people, COVID-19 appears to trigger the classic chronic fatigue syndrome. Currently, data and information on the long-term effects of COVID-19 are limited, so further research is needed to determine whether some patients with delayed recovery develop chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Immune dysfunction
The immune systems of people who have chronic fatigue syndrome appear to be impaired slightly. 65% of CFS patients report a history of allergies, but there is still no evidence to link allergies and CFS, and no serious immune disorder issue has been reported. Hormonal imbalance or psychiatric disorders have not been shown to cause CFS as well.
• Genetic and environmental factors
Chronic fatigue syndrome appears to run in families, with possible genetic components or environmental triggers. Alternatively, family members have similar responses to physical and psychological stress and/or exposure to the same substances.
How to treat chronic fatigue syndrome?
There is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatment focuses on symptom relief. Basic antidepressants and sleep aids can reduce the patient's discomfort and improve sleep quality. In addition, a healthy diet high in fibre, low in fat and calories, physical feedback training, cognitive behavioural therapy, and even meditation or yoga may help reduce symptoms. In principle, it is necessary to completely adjust and change the patient's lifestyle.
