What is Chronic Fatigue?

Commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), chronic fatigue refers to an erratically unbearable disorder(s) featuring persistent fatigue that has nothing to do with exertion and that cannot be improved by rest. It is generally in conjunction with other specific symptoms for at least six months and is also named as Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) following a flu-like condition. The patient experiences a myriad of neurological, immunological, and endocrine system abnormalities. Chronic fatigue is a multi-systemic disease that is comparatively rare, while fatigue is a common sign in several diseases. Many surveys have concluded that CFS varies widely from 7 to 3,000 cases in every 100,000 adults. However, national health organizations claim that over 1 million Americans and 25 crores people in the UK suffer from CFS. Further, studies reveal that CFS takes place in people of ages 40s and 50s and more particularly in women of which only 5 to 10% cases recover fully.
 

• SymptomsThe United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the most frequently used diagnostic criteria and definition of CFS for research and clinical purposes. If you are suffering from chronic fatigue, then the CDC defines the following two criteria to diagnose the same.
• A new experience of mysterious and constant fatigue unrelated to exertion and not reasonably improved by rest, which results in a major reduction in activity levels.
• At least four of the given below symptoms that long for a minimum of six months:
• Damaged memory or lack of concentration
• Post-exertional depression when physical or mental exertions tend to invite extreme, prolonged tiredness and sickness
• Unrefreshing sleep
• Muscle pain termed myalgia
• Pain in multiple joints known as arthralgia
• New types of headaches or headaches of greater severity
• Frequent sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes (cervical or auxiliary)

Besides these symptoms, there are some more common symptoms of chronic fatigue. These other symptoms of chronic fatigue can be muscle and joint pain, cognitive difficulties, mental and physical exhaustion, muscle weakness, hypersensitivity, orthostatic imbalance, digestive disturbances, depression, and cardiac and respiratory problems. Below is the all-inclusive list of chronic fatigue symptoms.

• Irritable bowel
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea or swelling
• Chills
• Night sweats
• Brain confusion
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chronic cough
• Visual disturbances - blurring, sensitivity to light, eye pain, or dry eyes
• Allergies to food items, alcohol, scents, chemicals, medications, or noise
• Difficulty in maintaining erect position - orthostatic unsteadiness, erratic heartbeat, dizziness, balancing problems, or fainting
• Psychological problems - depression, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, and panic attacks
• Jaw pain
• Weight loss or gain
 
• TreatmentUnfortunately, there is no common curative option to treat CFC. To manage chronic fatigue, focus is given on diet, physiotherapy, antidepressants, pain killers, pacing, and complementary and alternative medicine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Graded Exercise Therapy (GET) improve the overall health moderately in many patients by visiting the clinic. This has excluded patients with severe CFS as they cannot come to the clinic. Among all, pacing is the most helpful aid according to the patients.
  
  CBT refers to a form of psychological therapy designed for chronical diseases. It is useful in treating a few CFS patients by providing them strategies to improve daily functioning by understanding their symptoms and beliefs. Unlike CBT, GET is a type of physical therapy. It was found that patients who underwent this exercise therapy were improving in 12 weeks than the other patients. This means that GET ensures some improvement during the treatment.
  
  Pacing refers to an energy management strategy that motivates behavioral change. Herein, the patients are asked to decide for convenient activity/exercise goals and to avoid over-exertion for preventing any deterioration. The patients who can manage to function as per their set limits are motivated to increase activity and exercise levels slowly with the energy management techniques.