Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months and can't be fully explained by an underlying medical condition.  With physical or mental exertion, weariness develops but does not improve.

 

Causes

Chronic fatigue syndrome's aetiology remains a mystery. In certain cases, a person's genetic susceptibility to the condition may be the trigger for the disorder itself. The following are possible triggers:

·       Viruses and other pathogens. Researchers wonder whether some viruses are to blame for causing chronic fatigue syndrome in certain persons who get it after a viral illness. Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus 6 are among the suspect viruses.

·       The immune systems of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome seem to be modestly weakened, but it's not apparent whether this impairment is sufficient to produce the condition itself.

·       Some people with chronic fatigue syndrome may also have abnormally high or low hormones generated by the brain, pituitary glands, or adrenal glands in their blood.

Trauma may be both physical and emotional. Some patients say their symptoms started quickly after an accident, surgery, or a large amount of mental stress.

 

Factors that Increase the Risk

·       Age is one of the risk factors for developing chronic fatigue syndrome. If you're between 18 and 35 years old, you're more than likely suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.

·       Sex. CFS affects women more often than males, although this might be due to women being more forthcoming with their medical providers about their symptoms.

 

Complications

Consequences of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

·       Restrictions on daily activities  

·       Increased absences from work

·       Social isolation

·       Depression

 

Diagnosis

It might be difficult to diagnose ME since there is no test available to the medical profession to verify that a patient has it. 90% of patients with ME are either not diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or told they aren't ill at all because of the long time it takes to get a right diagnosis.

Medication-induced encephalomyelitis (ME) might appear suddenly, after an illness, a surgical operation (such as dental work), or a major hormonal change (such as pregnancy or menopause).

More gradual onset is possible as well. PEM, sleep disturbances, cognitive issues, and orthostatic intolerance are among the most common symptoms experienced by adults who have undergone strenuous physical exercise.

 

Treatment

Even while cognitive behavioural Therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) were originally advised to treat people with ME, these therapies presuppose that patients are frightened of exercising and so get out of shape (deconditioned).

However, these findings are based on research including individuals with different exhausting diseases. CBT and GET treatment guidelines for ME have been removed from the CDC website because they have been shown to do more damage than help for patients with ME.

There are currently no FDA-approved medications for ME. "Pacing," which may help persons with ME avoid crashes by matching their level of activity to their limited amount of available energy; the use of sleep aids and drugs; anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants; and therapies for pain are among the proposed treatments. Because people with ME are more likely to be sensitive to drugs, starting them off slowly is best.

Besides providing medications, doctors may aid patients with ME in obtaining disability benefits, obtaining assistive technology like wheelchairs, and obtaining reasonable accommodations at work and school.

 

References

1)    Brurberg KG, Fonhus MS, Larun L, Flottorp S. Case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review. BMJ Open 2014;4:e003973. 3.

2)    Carruthers BM, Jain AK, De Meirleir KL, Peterson D, Klimas NG, et al. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: clinical working case definition, diagnostic and treatments protocols. J Chronic Fatigue Synd 2003;11(1):7–115. 4.

3)    Fukuda K, Straus SE, Hickie I, Sharpe MC, Dobbins JG, et al. The chronic fatigue syndrome: A comprehensive approach to its definition and study. Ann Int Med 1994;121(12):953–9. 5. Holmes GP, Kaplan JE, Gantz NM, Komaroff AL, Schonberger LB, et al.

4)    Chronic fatigue syndrome: a working case definition. Ann Intern Med 1988;108:387–9. 6. Carruthers BM, van de Sande MI, De Meirleir KL, Klimas NG, Broderick G, et al. Myalgic encephalomyelitis: international consensus criteria. J Int Med 2011;270:327–38.

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