What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Who does it Affect?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), sometimes called ME, is a complex illness that can affect different parts of our body’s systems (e.g. immune system, nervous system, digestive system) and results in the feeling of exhaustion and a range of other symptoms. It is incredibly debilitating as anyone who has suffered from it, including me, will know

An illness of unknown origin?

There has been considerable debate over the causes of CFS in the last couple of decades, and it is now officially recognised as an illness. Officially there is no known cause for the illness, with the World Health Organisation calling it a disease of the nervous system ‘of unknown origin’.

However, despite this label, some researchers are starting to reach the conclusion that CFS may not have a single cause, rather it is the result of a combination of factors like stress, infections, genetics etc. affecting the body and resulting in debilitating symptoms.

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash

How do I know if I have CFS?

A major breakthrough in how the illness is to be diagnosed and treated by the NHS in the UK was announced on 29 October 2021 by NICE (National Institute for Care Excellence).

NICE guidelines

As a result of the NICE guidelines for diagnosing and treating CFS, a health professional should  suspect you may be experiencing CFS if you have been persistently experiencing all the symptoms below for 6 weeks or more (adults) and 4 weeks (children). It must also affect your ability to engage in work, education, social or personal activities, where you previously had no issues with undertaking these tasks or pursuits.

Symptoms for Suspecting CFS (NICE):

·         Debilitating fatigue, made worse by activity that is not relieved by significant rest.

·         Post exertional malaise – fatigue or worsening symptoms that lasts for 12 – 48 hours after activity or longer, following undertaking physical, emotional or cognitive activities. The fatigue experienced is not proportionate to the activity undertaken.

·         Unrefreshed sleep –

o   waking feeling exhausted, with flu like symptoms.

o   Having broken or shallow sleep or sleeping too much.

·         Cognitive difficulties – ‘brain fog’, difficulty with memory and finding words.

The next steps

·         If you meet the NICE criteria, your doctor should carry out a health assessment, a physical examination and arrange tests to rule out your symptoms being caused by another illness.

·         Your doctor will provide you with advice on managing your CFS symptoms.

·         You will then be referred to a CFS/ME Specialist Care team to confirm the diagnosis and develop a care and support plan.

There is currently no laboratory test to give a confirmed diagnosis of CFS.

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Some of the signs and Symptoms of Chronic fatigue

There’s quite a range of symptoms, and as we are all unique, each person will experience CFS differently. As well as the diagnostic symptoms, you may find you experience:

·         Recurrent sore throat and flu like symptoms

·         Feeling dizzy or light headed on standing upright.

·         Problems with temperature control, e.g. feeling cold, hot flushes.

·         Palpitations

·         Cold hands and feet.

·         Migratory joint and muscle pain

·         Nausea

·         Intolerance to alcohol

·         Headaches

·         Eye pain

Symptoms can change and vary over the days and weeks and can be unpredictable, which can be challenging.

Who gets CFS?

In short, anyone can experience CFS, however most studies show it predominately affects women between the ages of 15 – 50.

So why are women more affected?

Research hasn’t come up with all the answers on this one yet. It is thought that a hormonal imbalance could make some women more susceptible. This is borne out by a 2007 study which looked at the role oestrogen may play in women with CFS.

Recent surveys have shown that, in the UK, women are more likely to take primary responsibility for looking after children, elderly parents and the home whilst also working. This can sometimes lead to feelings of stress and overwhelm, and prolonged stress is considered a factor in Chronic Fatigue, so this could be a contributing factor.

An autoimmune connection?

Women are more affected by autoimmune diseases. Researchers in 2018 discovered that in some CFS patients, autoimmunity could be the cause of their condition, as autoantibodies have been identified.

Wondering what caused your chronic fatigue?

Check out my blog - What could have caused my Chronic Fatigue.

I’ve been there and help is at hand

I experienced Chronic Fatigue and regained my vitality and zest for life, using a Naturopathic treatment approach. Using my experience, I now help and support people to manage their own recovery back to feeling well again, through nourishing the body and mind using food, mindfulness practices and natural herbal medicine and minerals and vitamins.

 

A free resource to help you on your recovery journey

To help people just starting their CFS recovery journey, I have produced a FREE 10 page guide to ‘Reclaiming your natural energetic high without spending a fortune on costly supplements’.

Here I will guide you through 7 easy to do and lower cost ways you can kick start your recovery from CFS.

Download your guide to help you begin the process of feeling like YOU once again.

 

Don’t suffer in silence, get in touch to see how I could help you to begin your CFS recovery journey

So, if you would like to start the journey back to feeling normal again and not just putting up with or managing your symptoms, why not get in touch.