New Delhi: Do you feel tired all day long or you are experiencing unrefreshing sleep even after a complete sleep of eight hours? Well, this can be a sign that you are suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. Fatigue is often characterised as a disorder that may persist for a long period. While the major symptoms of Chronic fatigue syndrome may manifest in various ways, some of them may even be lesser known to people.
Dr Poonam Santhosh, Consultant Psychiatry, KMC Hospital, Mangalore shared with News9, “CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) is a multisystem disease characterised by multiple vague complaints like severe fatigue or malaise after exertion, unrefreshing sleep, disturbances in cognition worsening with exertion, body aches or myalgia, headaches of varying degrees, worsening of symptoms on standing, all these symptoms severely impair day to day functioning. Some people suffering from this disorder can also have diarrhoea. These symptoms persist for 6 months or more.
The prevalence of CFS is much higher between 40 and 70 years of age and more often women suffer more from it than men. The outcome has been poor since it has been poorly recognized and undiagnosed for years. ”
The causes of this syndrome are complex and multiple, multiple theories have been put forward to establish the causes.
Here are some common causes:
• The role of genetic susceptibility is the most accepted theory of CFS. Many studies have reported a family history of Cfs or similar fatigue-like symptoms.
• Role of infections. Infections like Ebstein Barr Virus (EBV), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, and the human parvovirus B19, are hypothesized to trigger the disease. infections like Infectious Mononucleosis, and parvovirus B19 can trigger this disease.
• Alterations in the Immune System. There is also a decrease in immunity-producing cells like transitional B cells and plasmablasts and an increase in the population of CD24+ B cells in these patients. The total immunoglobulin G (IgG) level, particularly subclasses IgG1 and IgG3, is much lower.
• The role of social risk factors such as stress in the causation of CFS is significant possibly due to alterations in the neuronal cells and sensitization. Alterations in serotonin levels and poor cortisol response are also contributory.
Treatment
Chronic fatigue syndrome is a diagnosis made on clinical examination after excluding other possible causes of fatigue. According to Dr Santhosh, “Oral medications like NSAIDs can help in pain relief. Tricyclic antidepressants have shown benefits in improving sleep, reducing pain, and reducing the severity of fatigue. SSRIs and SNRIs have been beneficial in treating the accompanying depression and neuropathic pain. Learning how to balance exercise and rest will help you prevent flare-ups. Patients who cannot handle the exertion may be the reason behind these. Non-pharmacological treatment modalities are cognitive behaviour therapy and graded exercise therapy.”
The causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are complex and multiple, multiple theories have been put forward to establish the causes. The prevalence of CFS is much higher between 40 and 70 years of age and more often women suffer more from it than men. The outcome has been poor since it has been poorly recognized and undiagnosed for years. Check risk factors Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
