What Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Treatment, And More

Have you been feeling exhausted more than usual lately? Did you rest enough, and it still feels like you need some more sleep? There are high possibilities that you are suffering from a case of CFS, also known as the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which happens to be a kind of disorder that is usually characterized by tiredness or a sort of extreme fatigue.

People suffering from CFS suffer from extreme fatigue that simply won’t go away, no matter how much you rest, and it usually has nothing to do with any underlying medical issue. So, naturally, this is why it used to be a sort of controversial diagnosis, but today, it is considered to be an accepted medical condition.

So let’s find out all that you need to know about the same!

Do I Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Or Am I Just Tired?

The only way to find out whether you are suffering from CFS is by finding out about the top chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms before seeking medical help. So without wasting any further time, let’s find out what are the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome – scroll down and find out all that you need to know about the same.

What Causes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The specific cause of CFS is unfortunately not known yet. However, experts say that there are several reasons that can contribute to the same. These are as follows,

1. Viruses,
2. Weak Immunity System,
3. Stress, and
4. Hormonal Imbalances.

It is also highly possible that many people are predisposed genetically to developing CFS. Although CFS can be seen in several people as a post-viral infection yet, no specific virus is held to be responsible for causing chronic fatigue amongst people. However, the viruses that were found to contribute to CFS are as follows,

1. Human Herpesvirus 6,
2. Ross River virus (RRV),
3. Rubella Virus, and 
4. Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).

Then there were several infections induced by bacteria known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Coxiella Burnetii. So what are the possible risk factors involved in CFS?

Risk Factors Involved Behind CFS

In most cases, it has been seen that people suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are in their 50s and 40s. Your gender is also kinda important in this context since women are more likely to be diagnosed with CFS compared to men.

The other risk factors behind the same are as follows, 

1. Allergies,
2. Genetic Predisposition,
3. Stress, and
4. Environmental Factors.

Symptoms Of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

The symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be several since it depends on how severely you have been affected – it could be severe enough to affect your daily functioning. That’s when you know it’s pretty severe!

The most common symptoms of CFS are as follows,

1. Memory loss,
2. Reduction in concentration, 
3. Orthostatic intolerance,
4. Muscle pain,
5. Frequent headaches,
6. Pain in multiple joints (no swelling or redness),
7. Frequent throat problems (sore throats),
8. Swollen and tender lymph nodes (armpits and neck),
9. Chronic insomnia, and
10. Sleep disorders.

If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, you can always get a chronic fatigue syndrome test done and be sure about your course of action.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Treatments

Unfortunately, there are no specific treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrom. But that doesn’t mean you are going to sit idle and do nothing about it while suffering silently. Since every person has their own individual problems and symptoms, not all forms of treatment are going to be applicable to everyone universally.

Moreover, you can always take steps and opt for a type of chronic fatigue syndrome treatment that can prove to be beneficial to your health. Scroll down and find out all the ways you can treat chronic fatigue syndrome in your body!

1. Medications

Typically, it’s not possible for different medications to treat disorders of such kinds. But there are possibilities that your CFS might trigger depressive episodes in you – that is where medications come in to play a vital role. At the same time, if your CFS causes seeping disorders, then your doctor might also suggest sleeping medications.

2. Home Remedies

By home remedies, we obviously mean making some solid lifestyle changes – it might actually contribute towards reducing your symptoms. For instance, you can either eliminate or limit your caffeine intake so that you can not just sleep better but also ease insomnia within you. Also, limiting your nicotine and alcohol intake can always make things better for you.

3. Alternative Medications

Did you know that many emerging forms of alternative medications can help reduce symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome? While Yoga is one of the best examples of such medications, another example would be acupuncture. Of course, both are inherently wellness-oriented medication forms. But in this case, both can help more than some pills.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

And It’s A Wrap!

Instead of googling ‘how I beat chronic fatigue syndrome,’ you can always make some solid lifestyle changes that can not just turn your life around but also make things healthier for you! For example, integrating Yoga into your daily routine can prove to be more beneficial than just treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Nonetheless, although there is no guaranteed treatment, cause, or even prevention for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome yet, you can always opt for a combination of factors and figure out how to treat the same.

Don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on the same in the comments below.

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