Chronic fatigue syndrome is a complex and unexplained condition categorized as a neurological condition by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it has a wide range of effects on the body, including the heart, digestive, immunological, muscular systems, brain, and muscles.
CHRONIC FATIGUE: What is chronic fatigue? | Causes of Chronic Fatigue | Symptoms | Medical assistance | Diagnostics | CHRONIC FATIGUE TREATMENT | Conventional Medicine | Alternative Modes | Home Remedies | Prevention | Questions and Answers | Sources/references
Chronic fatigue is characterized by brain and spinal cord inflammation and muscle discomfort. Although they have not yet discovered the actual cause, and consequently not the right way to prevent or treat the disease, scientists are beginning to understand some of the biochemical changes that occur in the bodies of patients with this problem.
Video content: What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome, chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection, and myalgic encephalomyelitis, began to be discussed in the mid-1980s. The disease mainly affects young urban intellectuals. But, of course, all sections of the population are susceptible to the disease, including children.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by increasing fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. The disease is not contagious. The onset is typically sudden and debilitating. The exhaustion felt by people with chronic fatigue syndrome is not the result of excessive physical exertion and does not go away despite rest or taking medication. On the contrary, the situation is getting worse and worse over time.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is not a progressive degenerative or life-threatening disease, although it can drag on for a year or more. Then, the symptoms subside and become more pronounced again, like a kind of tide, and often become unbearable just before lying down. In the end, however, the vast majority of people do recover.
Research has shown that chronic fatigue is associated with problems that include:
- the body's ability to produce energy at the cellular level
- immune, neurological, and hormonal system
- regulation of blood pressure and heart rate
- digestion
- sleep
- cognitive ability - how quickly information is processed
Chronic fatigue can affect men, women, and children of all ages, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, 75-80% of people with this disease are women.
For most people, chronic fatigue is a lifelong illness. Complete recovery is rare and estimated at less than 10%. Some people with chronic fatigue will find that they can do more over time and as their condition improves, but this is a slow and gradual process.
However, this is not the case for everyone; some people's disease worsens over time, while others may remain somewhat stable. Nevertheless, chronic fatigue can often improve their quality of life with the proper support and process.
The cause of chronic fatigue is not yet known.
Researchers have found several biochemical anomalies in those experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome, but the exact explanation is still unknown. In some patients, infection, chemical exposure, anesthetic, immunization, or trauma such as a car accident can suddenly cause the condition to manifest.
For others, chronic fatigue may progress slowly over months or years. However, research shows unequivocally that chronic fatigue is a biological condition and not the result of physical incapacity or mental health problems.
Video content: chronic fatigue syndrome and causes, symptoms...
The cause of diving fatigue syndrome is unknown, but scientists are studying many possibilities. For example, chronic fatigue syndrome can be an autoimmune disease caused by a combination of viral infection, allergy, and hormonal imbalance. One theory claims that it results from taking too many antibiotics or long-term exposure to pesticides or chemicals. However, studies also indicate the possibility of immune system dysfunction. In addition, enteroviruses such as the polio virus and human herpes virus and recently been discovered by some scientists as possible causes and are also studying retroviruses such as HIV. However, there is no link between chronic fatigue syndrome and HIV or AIDS. Still, others see a possible connection between chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic fungal infection.
Nowadays, the theory is that chronic fatigue syndrome occurs when an opportunistic virus or some other substance attacks the body when the immune system is already compromised. Factors that can contribute to this condition are physical and emotional stress, as well as stress from the environment or a combination of all three.
Although many people, including some doctors, doubt this and even believe that chronic fatigue syndrome is more of a psychological than a physiological condition, research does confirm that people with chronic fatigue syndrome have immune dysfunction. These disorders prevent the body from getting rid of invading viruses or from stopping the reactivation of viruses that were previously dormant in the body.
Image: the appearance of the Epstein-Barr virus
Chronic fatigue syndrome was once thought to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis, but today we know that the syndrome has nothing to do with it.
Let's get to know the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Feeling malaise after exertion and reduced ability to function after little or no physical or mental activity is a primary symptom of chronic fatigue.
Persons with chronic fatigue respond differently physically to movement or exercise than healthy individuals. Therefore, after engaging in any physical or mental activity that would not have been problematic before the onset of chronic fatigue, a person may experience atypical fatigue.
The level of effort varies according to the severity of the disease and may change over time. It can take up to 24 or 48 hours for a reaction to occur, making it difficult to determine how much exercise is too much. Post-exercise burnout can last for a few days or have major flare-ups lasting weeks, months, or even years, depending on the amount and type of exercise or activity.
Video content: chronic fatigue syndrome and its causes, signs, or symptoms...
Activities that people took for granted before chronic fatigue now have a significant negative impact on their health. For example, activities that used to be simple, such as going for a brisk walk, having coffee with a friend, getting your child ready for school, or taking the train to work, can suddenly become highly challenging or impossible. When one activity is acceptable, and another is added to it, it can become too much, causing burnout.
Chronic fatigue is a complex, multisystemic chronic disease, and people living with it can experience many symptoms. Therefore, not everyone will experience all the symptoms listed; not all are necessary for a diagnosis.
Common symptoms include:
- recent onset of debilitating fatigue
- fatigue that is not due to exertion and does not go away after resting
- forgetfulness, confusion, inability to concentrate
- constant, slightly elevated body temperature
- sleep disorders (insomnia or excessive sleepiness)
- problems with thinking and concentration
- worse memory and vision
- recurrent angina
- swollen and painful lymph nodes when pressed
- clumsiness, twitching, or tingling of the muscles (neurocognitive problems)
- bad sleep
Image: the consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome are: fatigue, many headaches, loss of concentration, sleep problems, muscle problems, sore throat
- long-lasting exhaustion after physical exertion
- pains in the muscles and joints or headaches
- joint pain without swelling and redness that migrates
- changes in blood pressure, feeling dizzy or pale
- palpitations, increased heart rate, or shortness of breath with exertion or condition
- allergies or sensitivity to light, smells, touch, sound, food, chemicals, and medicines
- gastrointestinal changes such as nausea, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea
- urination problems
- sore throat, sensitive lymph nodes, and flu-like symptoms
- a significant change in weight - extreme loss or gain
- inability to handle temperature changes
- symptoms lasting six months, resulting in a marked reduction in activity.
Symptoms can fluctuate over short periods, even from hour to hour, making planning activities difficult. Symptoms can also change over a long period, for example, over months or years.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR IF
- you are increasingly overcome by fatigue and cannot find a clear cause, such as stress. The doctor will first have to rule out other diseases with similar symptoms to chronic fatigue syndrome.
These are mainly: depression, thyroid disorders, mononucleosis, arthritis, lupus, and cancer.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
There is currently not a single test available to identify this disease. However, doctors can make a diagnosis by ruling out all other conditions causing the symptoms and using recognized diagnostic criteria. Routine medical test results are often expected, but additional tests may reveal anomalies.
Video content: diagnosis and management of the syndrome
Tell your doctor your medical history; then he'll do a physical exam and have blood work done to rule out other disorders that have similar symptoms to chronic fatigue syndrome. These can be HIV, mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia (a disease that causes muscle pain), Lyme disease, and depression. They may also do an antinuclear antibody (ANA) test to rule out arthritis, lupus, and other connective tissue diseases. In addition, they may test your thyroid function to rule out thyroid disease. The sedimentation rate (SR) can be increased when you have any inflammation in your body.
Once your doctor has ruled out other possibilities, he may check to see if you have chronic fatigue syndrome. This is done with the help of a particular test questionnaire based on the guidelines for identifying chronic fatigue syndrome. To meet the criteria for a definitive diagnosis, symptoms must have lasted six months.
What effects does chronic fatigue have on people?
Chronic fatigue affects people in different ways, some more severely than others. Four severity levels indicate the level of disability this condition can cause:
- sound: 50% activity reduction
- moderate: mostly house-bound
- severe: people are primarily bedridden
- very severe: complete bed rest and need for assistance with basic activities, including nutrition and hydration.
The severity may change over time. An affected person may experience their illness at one level of severity, but it may improve or worsen over time. Some individuals may experience a severe worsening of their condition for no apparent reason. Other people experience "fluctuating disease," where they experience phases of improvement and decline that last months or years.
HEALING
Since the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, treatment is limited to alleviating the symptoms.
Video content: how do we treat chronic fatigue syndrome?
Many conventional and alternative treatment methods are available to help you cope with the course of the disease.
CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE
Very often, the first step in treating chronic fatigue syndrome is to maintain general good health and avoid situations that may be mentally or physically stressful. Finding an appropriate balance between rest and non-intense physical activities is also necessary.
The flu-like symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome can be temporarily relieved with many different medications. Your doctor may be due for a bit of increased body temperature, headache, and muscle and joint pain, prescribed short-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetylsalicylic acid. Low doses of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, fluoxetine, or tricyclic antidepressants can help improve sleep and relieve fatigue and muscle pain. Studies have confirmed varying degrees of success in treating chronic fatigue syndrome with the intravenous administration of gamma globulins, a long-known blood preparation.
However, some doctors try to modulate the immune system with histamine H2 blockers (a subclass of anti-ulcer drugs), such as cimetidine and ranitidine, although so far, such treatments are mainly used for research purposes.
Video content: recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Sensitivity to chemicals, pesticides, household cleaners, and other potentially dangerous environmental toxins can also contribute to chronic fatigue syndrome. Please stop using the agents you suspect are causing you to harm and then gradually introduce them one at a time to find out which one might be causing your symptoms.
ALTERNATIVE MODES
Many alternative treatments can help control the various symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. However, before deciding on a specific treatment, check with your doctor if the diagnosis is correct.
ACUPRESSURE
Gently pressing on the Gallbladder point can ease symptoms of fatigue and depression while strengthening the immune system. These acupressure procedures can be performed once or several times a day or only when symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome appear. Pregnant women should be careful when pressing the Gallbladder 21 point.
ACUPUNCTURE
An acupuncture practitioner may opt for treatments to normalize or stabilize the immune system. In Chinese medicine, strengthening life energy, nourishing the blood, and strengthening the spirit can be part of the treatment strategy.
CHINESE HERBS
The mixture, available on the market in the form of powder or tablets, contains a combination of Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), Ural licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), pea (Astragalus membranaceus), and other herbs.
Video content: how can we help ourselves with Chinese medicine?
Some unreliable reports state that the condition of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who consumed this combination regularly improved. Consult an herbalist familiar with Chinese herbs about the correct use of this herbal medicine.
HERBS
For Hydrastis (Hydrastis canadensis), there is some evidence that it increases the activity of white blood cells. Echinacea (Echinacea spp) and shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) contain oligosaccharides, which are potent immune stimulants. Take them in moderation and follow the herbalist's advice. Ural licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is credited with antiviral effects.
Silymarin, a substance found in yarrow (Sylibum marianum), can 'help with liver problems that sometimes plague people with chronic fatigue syndrome. German chamomile (Matricaria recutita), common burdock (Arctium lapa), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) are also considered immune activity boosters. For people who have chronic fatigue syndrome, if taken regularly, they can be beneficial.
HOMEOPATHY
Some homeopathic practitioners report success in treating chronic fatigue syndrome. However, as with all chronic problems, it is best to seek advice from a homeopath who can diagnose accurately and treat specific symptoms in each case.
MEDICINE OF SPIRIT AND BODY
Meditation, progressive relaxation, guided performances, qigong, and yoga can alleviate the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, but they are not strenuous. They can even give you extra energy because they reduce stress.
NUTRITION
One theory claims that a lack of nutrients can be added.
It is a factor in chronic fatigue syndrome, so eating a healthy diet is essential. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, white flour, salt, fried, canned, and high-fat foods. Instead, eat bran, beans, rice, fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition, add edible algae, shiitake mushrooms (Lentmus edodes), and licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) to your diet.
Eating two cloves of garlic (Allium sativum) daily will further strengthen your immune system's antiviral and antibacterial activity. However, crushing or chopping garlic converts a sulfur compound called alliin into allicin, which some people find difficult to digest. If you can't digest fresh garlic, you can try one of the over-the-counter garlic extract pills.
Video content: diet in the case of chronic fatigue syndrome
Coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B12 are nutritional supplements that can reduce symptoms. There is also some evidence that a combination of malate and magnesium can reduce fatigue and muscle soreness. In addition, egg lecithin taken with meals can boost immunity and increase energy. Other vitamins that strengthen the immune system are vitamin C and beta carotene, a natural antioxidant. Vitamins B5 and B6, zinc, selenium, manganese, and chromium also influence the strengthening of the immune system.
The amino acid tryptophan, found in a variety of foods, may be helpful for some symptoms. In addition, helping the body produce the hormone serotonin, a natural sedative, can contribute to better sleep. However, you should not take this supplement if you have high blood pressure or are taking antidepressant medication.
It is not unusual for people with chronic fatigue syndrome to be sensitive to certain foods or have been sensitive to them in childhood. These sensitivities can manifest as allergic reactions or as a different intolerance to certain foods or several nutrients.
Suppose a food you are allergic to enters the body. In that case, the immune system recognizes it as an invader, like a virus or bacteria, and attacks it, flooding your bloodstream with antibodies. Unfortunately, too many of these antibodies and the additional release of histamine and other body chemicals cause symptoms such as increased mucus production, tissue swelling, headache, angina, and sometimes mental confusion.
The easiest way to find out which food or nutrients are to blame is to try the elimination technique from your diet. Stop consuming what you think is causing your allergic reactions for a week or two. Typical culprits are dairy products, nuts, eggs, shellfish, and preservatives in prepared foods. Of course, many other nutrients could be the cause of your problems. If the symptoms disappear, slowly reintroduce the individual food or nutrient to your diet and see how your body reacts to it. If symptoms return, you will have determined at least one nutrient to which you are allergic. Eliminate it from your diet in all its forms.
DOMESTIC MEDICINES
Check that you may not be loading yourself with more activities than you can handle in one day. Instead, get plenty of rest, keep a close eye on your diet, and take care of the regular moderate physical activity.
PREVENTION
Since no one knows what causes chronic fatigue syndrome, there is also no effective prevention. But, of course, the worsening of symptoms can be avoided by strengthening the immune system with vitamins, eating a proper diet (including avoiding allergens), moderate exercise, avoiding environmental toxins, and controlling possible allergies. You may also want to try alternative treatments to see which works best for you.
Help yourself with these tips too.
Regulating the pace of life or maintaining energy levels is a self-management technique that allows people with chronic fatigue to avoid overexertion after activity or exercise. This reduces the possibility of burnout and can reduce the symptoms of chronic fatigue.
Image: Body movement should be efficient and pre-planned.
Pacing aims to make the exercise sustainable, with the aim that the person can manage the symptoms. It is, therefore, essential to combine rest with the pace of activity.
The worst thing about pacing is that burnout is often delayed by 24 to 48 hours, making it difficult to know when you've over-exercised. However, tools like an activity log or heart rate monitor may help you learn more about your body and how much exercise your body can safely handle.
Suggestions on how to manage chronic fatigue
Use an activity diary to track your activities and symptoms throughout the week. This can help you identify your body's limits. For those who suffer from a less severe chronic fatigue condition, a pedometer can help measure the amount of physical activity done daily. A heart rate monitor can also help monitor your activity level and help you know when to stop and rest.
Video content: Is bacterial microflora possibly related to chronic fatigue?
Spread physical activity into smaller intervals with breaks in between. Continue to use a diary to track symptoms and activity as you vary activity levels to find what works best for you.
Alternating between physical and cognitive activity can help distribute the energy load. Identify the most stressful activities for you and plan for extra rest before and after that activity. Avoid too many activities on the same day.
Find ways to save energy spent on a specific activity. For example, use a shower or kitchen chair when cooking or washing dishes.
Listen to your body. Even if you think you can keep going when your body tells you to stop, rest.
Be realistic. Perfect pacing is impossible and shouldn't be your only goal. Unavoidable responsibilities such as childcare can make the pace difficult. Sometimes fun is also essential.
Remember that emotions also use up energy. Periods of stress or emotional upheaval will deplete your body, which means less energy is left for other things.
If you have been overdoing your activity or exercise, or have had an accident for any reason, reduce your activity level and get some rest. Repeated overdoing it can cause a severe and long-term relapse of chronic fatigue syndrome, leading to burnout.
Questions and Answers
What does chronic fatigue syndrome feel like?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is characterized by profound fatigue. Symptoms often worsen with physical or mental activity, and in addition to severe fatigue, symptoms include sensitivity to light, headache, muscle and joint pain, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, and depression...[1] .
How do I know if I have chronic fatigue?
- You always feel exhausted - you may find it challenging to carry out everyday activities.
- The feeling of tiredness after rest or sleep remains.
- Long-term recovery after physical activity.
- Sleeping problems, such as waking up frequently during the night.
- Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration[2].
What is the most common reason for chronic fatigue?
For the most part, fatigue results from one or more life problems/trials. For example, fatigue can be the result of taking certain medications, or it can be related to depression. Sometimes fatigue is a disease symptom requiring special treatment[3].
Sources and references
Source: Family Health Guide. Conventional and alternative treatment, Dr. Jajo Lajovic, Publishing House Mladinska knjiga
1. Chronic fatigue syndrome - https://www.mayoclinic.org
2. Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome - https://www.nhs.uk
3. Fatigue - https://www.mayoclinic.org
