What are the 7 symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome?

 


What are the 7 #symptoms of #chronic #fatigue #syndrome?

Other symptoms of ME/CFS can include:

muscle or joint pain.


headaches.

a sore throat or sore glands that are not swollen.

flu-like symptoms.

feeling dizzy or sick.

fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)

muscle twitches or spasms.

intolerance to alcohol or certain foods or chemicals.



ymptoms
-Myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)
Contents
Overview
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
There are 4 main symptoms of myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Extreme tiredness (fatigue)
The extreme tiredness (fatigue) associated with ME/CFS does not go away with rest or sleep. This can make it difficult to carry out everyday tasks and activities.

Most people with ME/CFS describe their fatigue as overwhelming and a different type of tiredness from what they've experienced before.


Problems sleeping
Many people with ME/CFS also have serious problems with their sleep that do not get better.

You may find that:

you do not feel refreshed after sleeping – like you have not had a proper good night's rest
you keep waking up during sleep
you feel stiff, tired or have flu-like symptoms when waking up
you feel very tired and sleepy during the day
Problems with thinking, memory and concentration
If you have ME/CFS, it's also common to:


have problems remembering certain words, names or numbers
have difficulty concentrating or difficulty focusing on more than one thing at a time
have problems remembering things that happened recently
be slow to speak or react to things
These problems are sometimes described "brain fog".

Post-exertional malaise (PEM)
Symptoms of ME/CFS can get worse after activity (called post-exertional malaise, or PEM).

PEM can be triggered by physical or mental activity, such as socialising or studying

PEM can happen hours or days after the triggering activity, and it can take weeks to recover.

Other symptoms
Other symptoms of ME/CFS can include:

muscle or joint pain
headaches
a sore throat or sore glands that are not swollen
flu-like symptoms
feeling dizzy or sick
fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)
muscle twitches or spasms
intolerance to alcohol or certain foods or chemicals
being very sensitive to light, sound, touch, taste and smell
having hot flushes or cold chills if the temperature changes
feeling dizzy, sick or fainting when standing up from a sitting or lying position
Severity of symptoms
Most cases of ME/CFS are mild or moderate, but 1 in 4 people have severe symptoms.

If your symptoms are severe, a specialist should be involved in your treatment.

ME/CFS symptoms can be considered:

mild – you’re able to care for yourself but may have problems moving around; you may be able to go to work or school, but will not have energy to do much else
moderate – you may have difficulty moving around easily and problems carrying out daily activities; you may not be able to work or continue with your education and may need to rest often; you may also have problems sleeping at night
severe – you may not be able to do any activity, or only be able to do very basic daily tasks, such as brushing your teeth; you may be housebound or even bedbound and need a wheelchair to get around; you may also have difficulty concentrating, be sensitive to noise and light, and take a long time to recover after activities involving extra effort, such as leaving the house or talking for long periods
very severe – you may have to spend all your time in bed resting and be fully dependent on carers; you may need help eating, washing and going to the toilet; you may be extremely sensitive to light and noise; you may be unable to swallow and need to be fed using a tube
There may be times when your symptoms get worse. These periods are known as relapses.

ME/CFS and work
If you have to take time off work, you may feel able to return to work in the future. But a sudden return to full time work may not be possible.

By law, your employer must make reasonable adjustments to help you do your job.

The ME Association has A Guide to Employment Issues that you may find useful.

What else could it be?
The symptoms of ME/CFS are similar to those of other conditions.

If you think you may have ME/CFS it's important to see a GP to make sure you get a correct diagnosis. A GP should also be able to refer you to a ME/CFS specialist if they think it would help you.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID), is a complex and debilitating disorder characterized by severe, long-term fatigue. This fatigue does not improve with rest and is worsened by physical or mental activity.

The main symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are:

Severe fatigue: which does not improve with rest and is worsened by physical or mental activity.

Cognitive problems: such as impaired memory and concentration.

Sleep disturbances: such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness.

Muscle and joint pain: without inflammation.

Dizziness or lightheadedness: especially when standing.

Sore throat and swollen lymph nodes in the neck or armpits.

Headaches: with a new or different pattern.

Increased fatigue after physical or mental activity: called "post-exercise decline."

The exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still unknown, but several factors may play a role, including:

Viral infections: such as Epstein-Barr virus and herpes virus.

Immune system disorders: The immune system of people with CFS appears to be different from that of healthy people.

Psychological stress: especially long-term stress.

Hormonal disorders: such as thyroid or adrenal hormone imbalances.

Genetic factors: Genetic predisposition also seems to play a role in CFS.

The diagnosis of CFS is based on ruling out other possible causes of fatigue and a careful evaluation of clinical symptoms by a doctor. There is currently no specific test to diagnose CFS.

Treatment for CFS involves managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Various treatments may be used to reduce symptoms, including:

Medications:

To manage pain, sleep disturbances, and other symptoms.

Non-drug treatments:

Such as regular exercise, stress management, relaxation techniques, and physical therapy.

Psychological therapies:

Such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and symptom management training.

If you are experiencing symptoms of CFS, it is important to consult your doctor to determine the cause of your fatigue and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.

Samuel

samuel.ku35@gmail.com

0046735501680

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