Extreme fatigue manifests as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), which occurs when someone feels tired most of the time, and that fatigue has lingered longer than six months. Even with proper rest, if you have chronic fatigue syndrome, you still feel excessive tiredness. You have severe difficulty performing physical and mental activities, and when you do, symptoms like muscle weakness; headaches; mental fatigue; joint pain, and fever only get worse.
Chronic fatigue syndrome can last for years. Doctors remain baffled about what causes this condition, and there are no tests to officially diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome. To make matters more confusing, chronic fatigue is a symptom of many illnesses.
Symptoms
Doctors have narrowed down some of the triggers for chronic fatigue syndrome. Everyone is different, though, and may experience symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome differently, but the Centers for Disease Control and doctors classify chronic fatigue syndrome as having at least four of the following physical symptoms for at least six months:
Post-exertional malaise (a massive energy crash that would only be minor in non-CFS sufferers)
Unrefreshing sleep
Impaired memory or concentration
Muscle pain
Polyarthralgia (joint pain but without inflammation)
Sore throat
Tender lymph nodes
Headaches
Chronic fatigue syndrome can only be diagnosed when other diseases have been ruled out, but that’s the problem: You may experience fatigue as a symptom of other health conditions.
How To Fight Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There’s currently no specific cure for CFS. Each person has different symptoms and therefore may require different types of treatment to manage the disorder and relieve their symptoms.
Work with your team of healthcare providers to create the best treatment plan for you. They can go over the possible benefits and side effects of the therapies with you.
Addressing post-exertional malaise (PEM) symptoms
PEM occurs when even minor physical, mental, or emotional exertion results in CFS symptoms becoming worse.
Worsening symptoms usually occur 12 to 48 hoursTrusted Source after the activity and last for days or even weeks.
Activity management, also called pacing, can help balance rest and activity to avoid PEM flare-ups. You’ll need to find your individual limits for mental and physical activities, plan these activities, and then rest to stay within these limits.
Some doctors refer to staying within these limits as the “energy envelope.” Keeping a diary of your activities may help you find your personal limits.
It’s important to note that while vigorous aerobic exercise is good for most chronic conditions, people with CFS don’t tolerate such exercise routines.
Home remedies and lifestyle changes
Making some lifestyle changes may help reduce your symptoms.
Limiting or eliminating your caffeine intake can help you sleep better and ease your insomnia. You should limit or avoid nicotine and alcohol too.
Try to avoid napping during the day if it’s hurting your ability to sleep at night.
Create a sleep routine. Go to bed at the same time every night and aim to wake up around the same time every day.
Medications
Typically, no one medication can treat all of your symptoms. Also, your symptoms may change over time, so your medications may have to as well.
In many cases, CFS can trigger or be a symptom of depression. You may need low-dose antidepressant therapy or a referral to a mental health provider.
If lifestyle changes don’t give you a restful night’s sleep, your doctor may suggest a sleep aid. Pain-reducing medication can also help you cope with aches and joint pain caused by CFS.
If medication therapy is needed, it will have to be tailored for your needs. Work closely with your doctor. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for CFS.
Alternative medicine
Acupuncture, tai chi, yoga, and massage may help relieve the pain associated with CFS. Always talk to your doctor before beginning any alternative or complementary treatments.
