Understanding Persistent Fatigue: Causes and Signs

Feeling unusually exhausted lately? Constantly thinking about sleep? Falling back into deep slumber right after alarms go off? If these are familiar, your health might be at risk.

It’s easy to dismiss fatigue as laziness or overlook the symptoms, but frequent yawns and persistent tiredness shouldn't be ignored. These could be signs of a condition known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

CFS is a debilitating disorder marked by severe, unrelenting tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest.

It cannot be associated with any specific medical condition. Also called myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), it predominantly affects women between their mid-20s and mid-40s, but children can also develop it.

Potential Causes of CFS
Deciphering what triggers CFS remains complex. Viral infections, stress, or a combination of both are suspected contributors, but no definitive cause has been identified. Symptoms often mimic those of other illnesses, complicating diagnosis.

Various factors may act as triggers, including infections like glandular fever or pneumonia, hormonal imbalances, weakened immunity, low blood pressure, and mental health issues like depression or stress. A history of infections with pathogens such as Epstein-Barr virus, herpes virus 6, Ross River virus, rubella, Coxiella burnetti, or mycoplasma increases the risk of developing CFS, especially if multiple are contracted over time.

While an impaired immune system and hormonal disruptions are linked to CFS, their exact roles are still under investigation. Women are twice as likely to develop CFS as men, and genetics, environment, allergies, and stress may also heighten susceptibility.

Symptoms of CFS
The signs vary but generally include persistent fatigue and feelings of being unwell. For a diagnosis, fatigue must endure for six to eight months and be unrelieved by rest. Additional symptoms may include:

Memory or concentration problems

Unrefreshing sleep

Chronic insomnia or sleep disturbances

Unexplained muscle discomfort

Joint pain without visible swelling

Frequent headaches and dizziness

Flu-like symptoms

Irregular heart rhythms

Multi-joint pain

Persistent sore throat

Swollen lymph nodes in neck or armpits

Exhaustion after physical or mental activities lasting a day or more

If these symptoms persist beyond six months alongside fatigue, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial. It’s advisable to avoid overexertion during flare-ups to prevent worsening symptoms, which may fluctuate daily.

Psychological factors such as depression, lifestyle habits like smoking or alcohol consumption, social isolation, or prolonged absence from work can exacerbate CFS symptoms. Since no definitive test exists, CFS often overlaps with conditions like multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, lupus, or mononucleosis.

There’s no single cure. Management involves personalized strategies, including lifestyle adjustments such as reducing caffeine, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol, which may help alleviate symptoms.