Chronic fatigue is also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It is a disorder that leads to extreme tiredness or fatigue. The fatigue does not go away despite taking rest. There is no underlying medical ailment that causes chronic fatigue. Although it can occur in anyone, it is generally observed in women. Here are some of the commonly asked questions about chronic fatigue syndrome.

What are the common causes of chronic fatigue?

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS is not unknown. There can be multiple contributing causes, including a weak immune system, hormonal imbalances, extreme stress, and viral infections. CFS is usually an after-effect of viral infection. Although no single type of viral infection is the only cause of CFS, some infections have been closely studied in relation to chronic fatigue syndrome, including Epstein-Barr virus, Ross River virus, human herpesvirus 6, and rubella virus. Another cause of CFS might be a genetic predisposition.

What are the symptoms of chronic fatigue?
The symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome are different based on the severity of the ailment. The symptoms also vary from person to person. One of the most common symptoms is severe fatigue. The fatigue is so extreme that it prevents a person from going about their everyday routine. This fatigue lasts for more than 6 months. Some people may also experience post-exertional malaise (PEM). This is extreme fatigue experienced for nearly 24 hours after mental or physical activities. Some people may also experience sleep disorders, such as insomnia, loss of memory, low concentration, muscle pain, orthostatic intolerance, frequent headaches, and joint pain.

Are there any risk factors?
Chronic fatigue syndrome is usually observed in people belonging in the age group 40-50. Also, women are at a higher risk than men. Other risk factors include allergies, family history, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors, such as unhealthy living environment or extreme psychological stress.

How is diagnosis done?
Diagnosis of chronic fatigue symptoms is only possible when a person has been experiencing extreme fatigue for more than 6 months. Apart from this, it is quite challenging to diagnose this ailment. This is mostly because the symptoms are similar to other diseases. Also, there are no screening tests. The only way to detect CFS is by noting down the common symptoms. Doctors also need to rule out other diseases, such as mononucleosis, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, etc.

What are the common treatments?
There is no way to cure chronic fatigue syndrome completely. Each CFS patient has different symptoms. So different therapies will work for different patients. These treatments and therapies are usually devised to help alleviate the symptoms. Also, treatments are used to manage the disease so that a person can have a healthy life.