What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS or ME)?
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a lifelong medical condition with an extensive number of symptoms, and the most familiar manifestation is fatigue. The other medical term for CFS is myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME, but CFS or ME is the common term most people use for this condition.
The effect of CFS or ME does not exclude anyone, even children, but it is more prevalent among women between 20 to 40 years old.
Common Symptoms
As mentioned, the primary symptoms of this condition are extreme tiredness and feeling unwell. Additionally, people who suffer from CFS or ME may also experience as follows:
- Joint and muscle pain
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Sleep problems
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitation
The majority of people may report that working out extremely can worsen their symptoms, which varies every single day. It may seem that manifestations of CFS or ME are similar to other diseases; thus, it is crucial to consult your GP for a paper diagnosis.
Diagnosis
A specific exam to diagnose CFS or ME is not available, so diagnosis is made based on the symptoms experienced and eliminating other illnesses that could cause the symptoms. In this case, a gathering of medical history and relevant symptoms is necessary. And then, some tests such as blood and urine will be conducted.
Treatment
The goal of treatment for ME or CFS is to alleviate the symptoms. The treatment will be based on the severity of this condition. Below are the possible treatments:
- An exercise program called exercise therapy
- Behavioural therapy (cognitive)
- Medication to relieve sleeping problems, pain, and nausea
The recovery for this condition varies from person to person. There’s a great chance that people will improve if there’s treatment compliance, but some who suffer do not recover well.
Causes
The causes of CFS or ME are unknown. Still, some experts suggested that it was due to infection or specific factors that can trigger the illness to occur. Here are some factors that can trigger the occurrence of CFS or ME:
- Immune system problems
- Stress
- Viral infection
- Hereditary
- Hormonal imbalance
- Bacterial infection