Chronic fatigue - Balanced You

Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a complex medical condition characterized by extreme and persistent tiredness, fatigue, or exhaustion that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other medical conditions. Some key things to know:

• The fatigue is often described as more severe and disabling than normal tiredness from lack of sleep or overexertion. It limits and disrupts daily activities.
• The main symptom is mental or physical exhaustion after minimal mental or physical exertion. This can range from mild to debilitating.
• The fatigue persists for 6 months or longer and is not the result of ongoing overexertion or medical conditions like anemia or thyroid dysfunction.
• Possible additional symptoms include muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, sore throat, poor sleep quality, and difficulty concentrating or with memory.

What Causes It?

• The exact mechanisms and triggers are not fully understood. Contributing factors likely include viral infections, immune system abnormalities, hormonal imbalances, and even psychological stress.
• It often follows or accompanies viral infections like mononucleosis or Lyme disease. The immune system and inflammation may continue causing issues even after the infection passes.
• For some patients, there are clear triggering events like severe infections, while for others, the fatigue seems to appear gradually with no specific cause.

How Is It Diagnosed and Treated?

• There are no standard diagnostic tests, so diagnosis involves ruling out other fatigue-causing conditions through history, physical exam, and testing like bloodwork.
• Treatment focuses first on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. This can involve medications, dietary changes, counseling, graded exercise programs, and energy management strategies.
• The goal is to help patients better cope with fatigue and prevent it from worsening while researchers work to understand the mechanisms behind chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Full recovery is difficult, but patients often learn to effectively manage activities and pace themselves. Support groups can help patients feel less alone in their struggles.

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