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Causes and symptoms of chronic fatigue

Causes and symptoms of chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue is a type of a disorder that causes extreme fatigue. It is that kind of fatigue that does not go away even after the person takes rest. It is called chronic because it lasts for a longer time and affects the ability to perform daily activities. It is also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID).

Chronic fatigue syndrome has been a controversial syndrome in that past, but is now widely accepted as a medical syndrome. Though it can affect anyone, it usually is seen among women in their 40’s and 50’s.

Causes of Chronic fatigue
The root causes of chronic fatigue are still not known but, several medical research have concluded that viruses, an overall weakened immune system due to an underlying medical condition, and hormonal imbalance could lead to chronic fatigue. Some people experience genetically predisposed Chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can develop after any type of viral infection. There is no single virus that causes chronic fatigue. Most common viral infections that have known to cause chronic fatigue syndrome are RRV (Ross River virus), Rubella, Human Herpesvirus 6, EBV (Epstein Barr virus). Some bacterial infection such as coxiella burnetiid, and mycoplasma have also been found to be related to chronic fatigue syndrome.

Additionally, people who suffer from abnormal hormonal imbalance experience a weakened hormone system. But if it is still not clear if it is related or significant to chronic fatigue syndrome.

As discussed above Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is usually experienced by women in their late 40’s and 50’s. Thus, having gender pre-disposition, allergies, stress, and several other environmental factors can also increase the risk of getting affected with this syndrome.

Symptoms of CFS
The severity of signs of Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome depend is different for different individuals. The most common syndrome that every individual experiences is the general fatigue that affects ones daily life. The fatigue lasts for at least six months and is not curable by simple bed rest.

The other symptoms include:

  • Difficulty in concentration and loss of memory
  • Muscle pain
  • Frequent headaches
  • People suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome also experience multi-joint pain that would have no redness or swelling.
  • Frequent sore throat is one of the other common symptoms that people suffering from CFS might experience.

People suffering from Chronic fatigue syndrome might experience it in cycles. A person suffering from CFS might experience worst symptoms of CFS which would subside and reoccur again. The cycle of remission and relapse makes the syndrome difficult to treat and manage.