Chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms, causes and treatment explained

Fatigue can result from a variety of illnesses and life stressors, but when fatigue persists for months (often following an infection) it can chronic fatigue syndrome.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3.3 million people in the United States currently have the syndrome, and about one in four people are bedridden at some point during the illness.

Despite its prevalence, experts say it is a poorly understood condition that is often overlooked by doctors; past research shows that only 15% of those affected are correctly diagnosed.

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What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), formally known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a chronic disease that causes fatigue severe enough to impair the ability to perform daily activities.

The National Academy of Medicine defines the syndrome as the persistence of the following three symptoms for at least six months.

• Fatigue that is 1) new and 2) severe, meaning that you are less able to do the activities you normally did before the illness
• Worsening “malaise” after previously well-tolerated physical or mental exertion
• restless sleep

People may also experience thinking and memory problems (often called “brain fog”) or dizziness when standing up.

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There are no tests to confirm chronic fatigue, so doctors diagnose it by talking to their patients, examining them, and often ruling out other disorders that share the same symptoms, such as hypothyroidism and depression.

Chronic fatigue is often overlooked by doctors; past research shows that only 15% of those affected are correctly diagnosed. (iStock)

“CFS, fibromyalgia and long covid Author of “From Tired to Fantastic” Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum“- Dr., whose research focuses on chronic fatigue syndrome. “What these diseases have in common is that they are immune disorders, and immune disorders predominantly affect women,” she told Fox News Digital.

Many genes involved in immune disorders X chromosomeThis points to a genetic component, the doctor added.

Causes of chronic fatigue

D., professor of dermatology, molecular genetics and microbiology, and integrative immunobiology at Duke University School of Medicine in North Carolina. According to Julia Oh, chronic fatigue syndrome can be triggered by infection or other physiological stressors, but its causes and symptoms can vary greatly from person to person.

Teitelbaum compared the situation to a “serious energy crisis” in the body. When the energy drops low enough, the “control center” in the brain hypothalamusHormones that regulate sleep, hormones, blood pressure, and heart rate may not work either.

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Although hypothalamic dysfunction can trigger dozens of other symptoms, the most prominent signs are insomnia (despite fatigue), confusion and widespread pain, the doctor said.

Anything that causes severe energy loss can trigger the syndrome, including chronic life stressors, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid and stress hormone imbalances, and sleep problems.

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These triggers are often associated with the gradual onset of CFS, but past research has shown that sudden onset may be caused by certain infections; the two classic ones are COVID and mononucleosis.

Head and neck trauma and sudden hormonal changes after pregnancy can also trigger chronic fatigue, Teitelbaum warned.

According to a doctor, anything that causes severe loss of energy can trigger the syndrome, including chronic life stressors, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid and stress hormone imbalances, and sleep problems. (iStock)

There are currently no blood tests to uniformly diagnose the syndrome, but Dr. Oh said he’s hopeful that will change in the future.

The research team developed the experimental AI-based BioMapAI tool, which has been shown to identify the condition with high accuracy by analyzing stool, blood and other common laboratory tests, according to initial research published in July in the journal Nature Medicine.

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“Rather than finding a single weapon for the disease, our AI model uncovered a distinct biological fingerprint that was dysregulated in patients, encompassing changes in gut bacteria, hyperactive immune cells, and disrupted metabolism,” Oh told Fox News Digital.

Treatments and therapies

Considering how differently chronic fatigue syndrome can affect people, there is no universally effective treatment, according to Oh.

The CDC recommends that patients with CFS work with their doctors to create a management plan based on the symptoms that most impact quality of life.

There are no tests to confirm chronic fatigue, so doctors make a diagnosis by evaluating symptoms and excluding other disorders.

Treatments usually include a combination of lifestyle changes, therapies and medications. Patients and their doctors must weigh the potential benefits and risks of any approach.

There are some alternative treatments that have been shown to be effective for some. Teitelbaum developed a protocol called SHINE, which focuses on sleep, hormones and hypotension, infections, nutrition and exercise. Some research has shown that this approach may help improve the quality of life of people with CFS and fibromyalgia.

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Others may find alternative treatments such as physiotherapy (physical therapy) helpful.

Those who experience persistent fatigue that interferes with their ability to participate in regular activities or affects their quality of life should talk to a doctor.