Chronic fatigue - Vibrant Life Center

What is Chronic Fatigue?

Chronic fatigue is a complex medical condition characterized by extreme and persistent fatigue that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other medical conditions. The key symptoms of chronic fatigue include:

• Severe fatigue lasting at least 6 months that impacts daily activities
• Post-exertional malaise (PEM) - increased symptoms and fatigue after physical, mental, or emotional exertion
• Unrefreshing sleep - not feeling rested after sleeping
• Cognitive dysfunction - issues with memory, concentration, etc.

Some key facts about chronic fatigue:

• It is a serious illness that can greatly impact quality of life
• The exact cause is still unknown, but may involve the immune system, hormones, genetics, etc.
• There are no definitive diagnostic tests, so it is diagnosed based on symptoms
• Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through pacing activities, medications, therapy, etc.

While exercise intolerance and fatigue are hallmarks of chronic fatigue, the condition manifests differently in each patient. Severity can range from mild to completely disabling.

I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of what defines chronic fatigue syndrome! Let me know if you have any other questions.