Chronic fatigue syndrome: symptoms, causes, and treatment methods

The Gulf Health Council highlighted a health issue that plagues millions worldwide, warning against underestimating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) , also known medically as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). This warning comes at a time when there is a growing need to raise awareness about this complex disease, which goes beyond simple fatigue to become a chronic condition that drastically impacts the quality of life of those affected.

Global context and medical significance

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a global health issue, with international estimates suggesting it affects millions of people. It is often misdiagnosed or misdiagnosed at a late stage. Historically, patients suffered from a lack of understanding of their symptoms within the medical community. However, major health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now classify it as a serious biological illness affecting multiple body systems. Raising awareness is particularly important today given the increasing number of cases of post-viral fatigue, making understanding its symptoms a critical need for both healthcare systems and individuals.

What is chronic fatigue syndrome?

The Gulf Health Council explained that this illness is characterized by severe and profound fatigue that cannot be explained by any other underlying medical condition. The defining feature of this fatigue is that:

• It does not improve with sleep or traditional rest.
• It worsens significantly after any slight physical or mental exertion (what is known as post-exercise malaise).
• This leads to a sharp decline in the level of daily, professional, and social activity.

Common symptoms: More than just fatigue

The severity of symptoms varies from person to person, but a defining characteristic is a worsening of the condition after activity. The expanded list of symptoms includes the following:

• Cognitive and perceptual problems: such as difficulty thinking, brain fog, poor concentration, and short-term memory loss.
• Sleep disorders: Suffering from insomnia or unrefreshing sleep, where the patient wakes up feeling exhausted as if he had not slept.
• Painful physical symptoms: muscle and joint pain without swelling or redness, frequent sore throat, and headaches of new or severe types.
• Nervous system imbalance: Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially when standing (standing intolerance), and hypersensitivity to light, noise, and smells.
• Digestive problems: such as irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, or bowel disorders.

Possible causes and risk factors

Although the exact cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is still under intensive scientific investigation, experts believe there are a number of contributing factors, most notably:

• Viral and bacterial infections: It is believed that some viruses (such as the Epstein-Barr virus that causes glandular fever) may be the starting trigger for the disease.
• Immune system dysfunction: The presence of an abnormal immune response in those affected.
• Hormonal disorders: A disruption in the hormones produced by the endocrine glands.
• Genetic and environmental factors: Having a family history of the disease or exposure to environmental toxins and severe psychological and physical stress.

Diagnosis, coping strategies, and treatment

Since there is no single laboratory test that definitively diagnoses the condition, doctors rely on ruling out other illnesses and carefully evaluating the patient's medical history. Regarding treatment, specialists emphasize that there is no "magic bullet" for a complete cure, but there are effective strategies for managing symptoms and improving quality of life

• Energy management (Pacing): This is the most important strategy, where the patient learns to balance their activity to avoid breakdowns by not exceeding their available energy limits.
• Drug therapy for symptoms: using medications to relieve pain, treat sleep disorders, or digestive problems.
• Psychological and behavioral support: to help cope with the illness and alleviate the accompanying anxiety and depression.

In conclusion, the Gulf Health Council emphasizes that adapting to a new and flexible lifestyle is the key to living with this disease, with the hope that symptoms will improve over time for many patients.