Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
What is it?
The term chronic fatigue syndrome is used to designate a group of symptoms that includes, among other things, extreme and persistent weakness and exhaustion. The fatigue must be severe enough to interfere with normal daily activity and must persist for at least six months. Also, to establish a diagnosis, other disorders that would explain the fatigue must be ruled out.
Chronic fatigue disorder usually occurs in adults and is more common in women than men. The causes of chronic fatigue are extremely elusive, and thus the disorder is fertile ground for unproven theories and quack remedies. No true cure exists; however, in most cases, symptoms are at their worst early on and gradually diminish on their own.
What Causes It?
- The cause of chronic fatigue is unknown. A number of causes have been investigated, including chronic Epstein-Barr virus infection, hypoglycemia, chronic lyme disease, chronic candida infection, and multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. None of these has been shown to cause chronic fatigue syndrome and treatment aimed at these problems does not alleviate the fatigue and other symptoms.
- Abnormalities of the immune system have been proposed as a cause of chronic fatigue syndrome, but intensive investigation has failed to find any significant or consistent differences in immune function between healthy people and those with the disorder.
- Another theory suggests that people with chronic fatigue symptoms have lower levels of specific hormones (cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone) involved with mood and energy levels, but research findings in this area are also inconsistent.
- Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome appear to have blood pressure abnormalities, however there is no conclusive evidence that treatment directed at these abnormalities has any benefit.
Prevention
- Chronic fatigue syndrome cannot be prevented.
Diagnosis
- Patient history and physical examination are needed.
- The patient must exhibit all of the aforementioned symptoms. Tests need to be conducted to rule out anemia, infection, diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, and other ailments that may produce persistent weakness and exhaustion.
How to Treat It
- Over-the-counter pain relievers may be used for muscle and joint pain and headaches.
- Exercising vigorously may exacerbate symptoms. Instead, maintain moderate levels of activity and slowly increase your tolerance for exercise.
- Getting plenty of rest and eating a healthy, balanced diet is recommended.
Low-dose antidepressants may improve sleep disturbances and decrease fatigue and muscle pain.
Psychological counseling may be helpful—not because chronic fatigue is a psychosomatic disorder but because it is often accompanied by depression (see Depression for more information). Treating the depression may make the overall illness less debilitating.
- People with chronic fatigue syndrome are not more susceptible to infections and so do not need to take any special precautions.
When to Call a Doctor
- Make an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
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Copyright © 2008 Medletter Associates, LLC
Content excerpted from Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies: The Complete Home Medical Reference.