Chronic fatigue is a complex medical condition characterized by extreme tiredness that doesn't improve with rest. The key feature is that the fatigue greatly reduces your ability to function and participate in daily activities.
Some key characteristics and symptoms of chronic fatigue include:
- Debilitating physical and mental exhaustion that is unrelieved by ample sleep and rest
- Difficulty concentrating or remembering details
- Muscle and joint pain
- Headaches
- Sore throat
- Tender lymph nodes
The exact causes of chronic fatigue are unknown, but abnormalities of the central nervous system, immune system, hormones, and cell metabolism may play a role. There are several conditions closely associated with chronic fatigue:
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) - CFS is a specific diagnosis given when severe fatigue lasts over 6 months and is combined with other symptoms like muscle pain and memory issues. Doctors aren't sure what causes CFS.
- Fibromyalgia - This involves chronic widespread muscle pain and tenderness at specific points on the body. Fatigue often occurs along with fibromyalgia.
- Depression - Feeling extremely tired every day is a common symptom of depression.
Diagnosing the cause of chronic fatigue is crucial for getting proper treatment. Your doctor will run various medical tests to rule out conditions like anemia, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, heart disease, etc. Keeping a detailed symptom journal can aid diagnosis.
Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through medications, therapy, dietary changes, graded exercise programs, etc. Learning to pace activities to avoid crashing, along with support from family and friends, is also very helpful. Research into more customized treatments for chronic fatigue conditions continues.
I tried to cover the key aspects of chronic fatigue in this answer. Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions! Getting the right diagnosis and support system makes a major difference when living with exhausting constant tiredness.