What is chronic fatigue syndrome?
Myalgic encephalomyelitis
(ME), also known as Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is an illness that affects
the muscles, brain and nervous tissue.
While there is some debate about whether chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition in
itself, there is no dispute that it is a relatively common, severely disabling
and, on occasion, life-threatening problem.
It is estimated that up
to 150,000 people suffer from ME in the United Kingdom.
How long have we known about chronic fatigue
syndrome?
Chronic fatigue
syndrome is not a modern-day condition.
It has probably been around for centuries and has been written about in
the medical literature since the 1930’s.
What causes chronic fatigue syndrome and who is at
risk?
The true cause of
chronic fatigue syndrome isn't known, although there are many theories. Ongoing viral infections, an immune system
that isn't working properly, injury or stressful life events have all been
named as possible triggers of CFS.
Three times more women than men suffer from the condition, and the peak
incidence is between the ages of 30 and 40, but it can strike people of any age.
What are the common symptoms of chronic fatigue
syndrome?
The most common
symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome is ongoing and severe tiredness or fatigue,
with very low energy levels. People who
suffer from the syndrome have extreme tiredness or fatigue which can come on
gradually or suddenly and last for several months or longer. Other symptoms can be present, although they
vary from person to person. They
include:
· feeling generally unwell
· aches and pains affecting the entire body, most commonly the muscles
·
headaches
· mood swings
· persistent sore throat or tender lymph nodes
· difficulties with digestion
· problems with short-term memory or concentration
· weight loss
· weakness of the legs, which may make walking difficult
· problems sleeping or a greatly increased need for sleep
How does chronic fatigue syndrome affect peoples’
lives?
Often, a person who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome cannot work or perform any normal daily living activities. Many sufferers must live their lives at a lower than normal pace. Some will require a wheelchair to get around. In its most severe but rare form, a person may be bed-bound, unable to eat and will spend most of the day sleeping. Sadly, it can cause a huge disruption to peoples' lives, careers, and relationships.
How can doctors
recognize chronic fatigue syndrome?
There is no
single test that can help doctors recognise and confirm chronic fatigue
syndrome. The only method available to
your doctor is to study the range and pattern of your symptoms.
To make matters more difficult, the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, especially extreme tiredness, are also associated with a number of other conditions such as, depression, hormonal disorders and autoimmune diseases (eg myasthenia gravis, a condition in which the muscles become weak and tire quickly), and even cancer. That's why it's important that your doctor rules out other causes of fatigue before he/she can consider that you have chronic fatigue syndrome. This may involve having blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, brain scans, lumbar puncture (examining the fluid around your spine) electrical recordings of the brain, and electrical recordings of the nerves and muscles. Occasionally, a biopsy of muscle (taking a sample of muscle to examine under the microscope) may be required.
What is the treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome?
If symptoms are
not too severe, a planned and graded exercise programme at home may be
helpful. It is thought that the
tiredness in chronic fatigue syndrome is related to activity level. So try to pace your activities with enough
rest in between. Remember to increase
your activity level gradually and avoid the urge to complete tasks in one
sitting. Preserving your energy is
all-important.
Eat a healthy,
balanced diet, cutting down on sugary snacks and processed foods. It's best to choose a wide variety of foods
from the four food groups:
1. bread, other cereal and
potatoes
2. fruits and vegetables
3. milk and dairy foods
4. meat, fish and alternatives
(such as beans and lentils)
Sometimes people
with chronic fatigue syndrome may develop reactions to some foods. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor
before making any changes to your eating habits.
Presently, there
is no cure for chronic fatigue syndrome, although medications can be used to
treat some of the symptoms. You might
also be admitted to a specialised unit, where a treatment called 'cognitive
psychotherapy' may be used. This
therapy is aimed at changing negative attitudes and teaching you to think in
more constructive ways. At the same
time, a pre-planned, tailored exercise programme is often started, in which you
and your doctor will set goals for gradually increasing your ability to do
exercise.
Relaxation
therapy, the Alexander technique, reflexology,
stress levels and help
you to take part in the healing process.
The symptoms of ME are
very similar to those of MS and so hyperbaric oxygen is thought to help ME in
the same way that it helps those with MS.
What is the outcome of chronic fatigue syndrome?
It's very
difficult to predict the outcome for someone with chronic fatigue
syndrome. Recovery can often take a
long time. It is thought that about 20%
of people make a full recovery, while many others can improve to a point where,
with care, they can lead a more normal life.
Periods of relapse may be triggered by stress in some of these
people. A small group of people may not
improve at all and may become severely disabled.
There are local
and national self-help groups devoted to helping people with chronic fatigue
syndrome and their carers. These groups
offer a range of services - such as telephone contact lines, meetings and
newsletters - to help people better understand their illness and obtain
informed medical advice about it. These
groups also provide mutual support and understanding - a vital lifeline for the
sufferers of this lingering, little understood illness. You can find out about self-help groups on
the internet or through your local library or community centre or GP.