Did you know that there is a disease whose main feature is an intense fatigue persisting for months? Fatigue on a permanent basis may be due to a health problem, which should be examined by your doctor. Although there is no specific treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome, changing diet habits and certain hygiene measures has been shown to improve the quality of life for many people.
What is chronic fatigue?
It is usually expressed as fatigue, lack of energy and feelings of emptiness or exhaustion. This type of fatigue can be normal or abnormal. In the case of pathological fatigue, recovery is not possible despite enough rest and makes it very difficult to carry out daily activities. Chronic fatigue lasts for at least six months and is accompanied by other symptoms such as muscle or joint pain, memory loss or concentration difficulties. Chronic fatigue syndrome is most common in women between 25 and 40 years of age and occurs unexpectedly.
Causes of chronic fatigue
The exact causes of this syndrome are unknown to the scientific community, but there are some possible explanations for its occurrence, such as the presence of a viral infection, immune deficiency, or physical/ psychological trauma. It is possible that this syndrome has more than one causes (in combination) or it is caused by physiological and psychological factors. Meanwhile, as the exact causes remain unknown, there is no way to prevent chronic fatigue syndrome and when it does occur, a comprehensive medical examination is necessary to investigate the possible cause(s).
Symptoms of chronic fatigue
In addition to extreme and persistent fatigue, often accompanied by signs of depression – i.e., in 60-80% of people with the syndrome – there are other symptoms associated with the disease. To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient must have, in addition to fatigue, at least four of the following problems for at least six months:
- Concentration problems
- Short-term memory problems
- Muscle pain
- Pain in the joints
- Pain in the neck
- Migraine and unusual headaches
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck and armpits
- Difficulty in physical activity
- Sleep disorders
Tips for better living with chronic fatigue
There is no specific cure for chronic fatigue, but scientific research has shown that changing certain daily lifestyle habits is needed.
- Avoid overwork and stress
- Get enough sleep
- Start an aerobic exercise program
- Stay alert and learn to manage your energy
- Adopt an… anti-inflammatory diet
- Seek personalized approach and advice
- Adopt a relaxation technique
The treatment and course of chronic fatigue always depends on the underlying cause. This may therefore include a device in case of sleep apnea syndrome, a good medication in the case of hypothyroidism or correction of a deficiency, for example. In the absence of an obvious cause, it is recommended to improve the lifestyle with adequate rest and a balanced diet. In some cases, this can be supplemented with:
- Prescribing a formulation to provide amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements to strengthen the body
- A stimulant based on caffeine, deanol, guarana, etc.
- An antidepressant pill in combination with psychotherapy
