Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complicated disorder. It causes extreme fatigue that lasts for at least six months. Symptoms worsen with physical or mental activity but don't fully improve with rest.
It's a new state of fatigue that has lasted for at least 6 months and can be so severe that it gets in the way of your normal daily activities, at home and at work. Rest and sleep don't seem to help. If you have it, physical activity can leave you feeling worse, typically the next day.
CFS sufferers should try to have at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep every day. If a late night is planned, a nap during the day is good preparation. How can you improve your sleep? Most people with CFS find that their sleep improves when the other CFS symptoms start to improve.
Most people with ME/CFS describe their fatigue as overwhelming and a different type of tiredness from what they've experienced before. Exercising usually makes the symptoms worse. Sometimes the effect is delayed and you'll feel very tired a few hours after you've exercised, or even the next day.
People with ME/CFS have severe fatigue and sleep problems. ME/CFS may get worse after people with the illness try to do as much as they want or need to do. This symptom is called post-exertional malaise (PEM). Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and concentrating, pain, and dizziness.
Many people with ME/CFS develop recurring pain, including headaches, sore throat, muscle pain, and joint pain. The joints may hurt without showing signs of redness or swelling. The cause of these symptoms is not well understood, but the pain can often be managed through medication or physical therapy.
Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) say doctors should consider diagnosing ME/CFS if a patient has extreme tiredness that cannot be explained by other causes and the tiredness: started recently, has lasted a long time, or keeps coming back.
The definition of burnout is for example very similar to that of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with regard to fatigue and restraints on daily functioning. Burnout, however, can be distinguished from CFS by the attribution of fatigue to work instead of somatic factors (Hoogduin et al., 2001; Huibers et al., 2003).
The symptoms must have persisted or recurred during 6 or more consecutive months and must not have predated the fatigue. When there is no apparent explanation or cause of chronic fatigue, such as a disease, a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome is given.
CFS sufferers should try to have at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep every day. If a late night is planned, a nap during the day is good preparation. How can you improve your sleep? Most people with CFS find that their sleep improves when the other CFS symptoms start to improve.
Rest is the single most important factor in allowing CFS sufferers (CFSs) to get better. An invariable feature of the history is that exercise (either mental, physical or emotional) makes the symptoms worse. Indeed, this distinguishes CFS from depression - exercise tends to improve people who are simply depressed.
Eating a healthy diet, and using herbs and homeopathic remedies as recommended, may help reduce the debilitating symptoms of CFS, and may improve overall energy. Counseling, support groups, meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation are stress management techniques that may help as well.
Substantial reduction in functioning and persistent and profound fatigue for at least 6 months. The person is unable to undertake the same level of activity before they became ill. Their fatigue is not the result of significant exertion and is not substantially alleviated by rest. Post-exertional malaise.
“Realize that our fatigue is not just 'being tired,' and don't tell us you are 'tired' too. [Chronic fatigue] is often overwhelming, heavy exhaustion of our body, mind and very being that never goes away. Your 'tired' is likely equivalent to my 'somewhat energetic' day.”
Diagnosing ME/CFS
There is not a specific test for ME/CFS, so it's diagnosed based on your symptoms and by ruling out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms. The GP will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may also have blood and urine tests.
You were too sick to get much done, and definitely too sick to work or play with your children. You had too much fun and a few too many drinks one night, then couldn't get off the couch the entire next day. You felt so weak and tired that you had to call in sick with some made-up illness.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a physical disorder, not a psychological illness, panel says.
The primary signs and symptoms of depression include sad mood, social isolation and negative thoughts and although fatigue and poor concentration are symptoms, they are not the primary symptoms like they are in chronic fatigue disorder.
Be sure to exercise at least four hours before going to bed, as exercise can also act as a stimulant and create restless sleep. Incorporate deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, meditation, yoga and muscle relaxation techniques into your daily routine as they can help manage symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome.
How is ME/CFS diagnosed? There is no single test to diagnose ME/CFS. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, and how long you have had them, and might do some tests to rule out other possible causes. You can only receive a diagnosis of ME/CFS after you have had symptoms for 6 months or more.
CFS diagnosis depends on two criteria: Severity and duration. The severe and chronic tiredness lasts for more than 6 months and other medical conditions have been ruled out.
Despite a lacking consensus on the pathologies and mechanisms of ME/CFS, MRI studies have started to show the involvement of the brainstem.
The worsening of symptoms is transient and flare‑ups typically resolve after a few days, either spontaneously or in response to temporary changes in energy management or a change in treatment. A relapse lasts longer than a flare‑up. ME/CFS:diagnosis and management. NICE guideline (2021).