Chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome: symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment in the best clinics

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or myalgic encephalomyelitis is a pathological condition in which a person feels constant fatigue for a long time, and all attempts to rest fail.

Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women than in men. It usually occurs between the ages of 25 and 40, but can also be diagnosed in teenagers, children, and the elderly. According to statistics, CFS occurs in about 2% of people on the planet.

This disease is said to be if an inexplicable feeling of constant fatigue lasts for at least six months. This chronic systemic disease is accompanied by malfunctions of a number of body systems. With the development of this syndrome, it is difficult for people to live a normal life, they experience problems with work, study, and communication.

Causes of chronic fatigue syndrome

To date, the exact causes of chronic fatigue syndrome are unknown. However, a number of factors have been identified that can provoke its development:

• prolonged stress;
• chronic sleep disorders;
• hormonal disruptions;
• some viral infections;
• lack of physical activity;
• malnutrition;
• violation of the digestive tract;
• some drugs that are taken for a long time.

Signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome

The main symptom is a state of chronic fatigue that does not go away even in the morning after a long sleep. In addition, chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms may include:

• frequent headaches;
• pain in the muscles;
• a strong deterioration in well-being after physical exertion, which does not disappear within a day or more;
• apathy, bad mood;
• anxiety, irritability;
• sleep problems;
• deterioration of memory, concentration.

Other symptoms may also occur, such as swollen lymph nodes, a sore throat, and bowel problems.

Stages of CFS

There are 3 stages of the disease:

• Prodromal stage. The patient has symptoms of CFS, but with lifestyle changes, the condition improves significantly.
• Acute stage. Symptoms are aggravated to the maximum, physiological signs are accompanied by depression and panic attacks.
• Recovery stage. An improvement is noticeable, but the lack of strength and energy is still present.

What to do if there is no strength and why is chronic fatigue dangerous?

Chronic fatigue can significantly reduce the patient’s quality of life, interfere with work, study, lead an active social life, and negatively affect the appearance and psycho-emotional state. In addition, CFS can occur in the presence of various diseases, such as viral diseases, anemia, diabetes, thyroid disease. Therefore, if there is a feeling of chronic fatigue, you need to seek help from a doctor, conduct an examination and find out the reasons for feeling unwell.

Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome

Diagnosis may include various examinations. Most often, the doctor prescribes a set of studies that will determine the causes of CFS and detect pathological abnormalities, if any. For this purpose, the patient may be prescribed an ECG, ultrasound of various organs and other studies that will check the work of various body systems, laboratory tests.

What tests need to be done in case of constant fatigue?

The examination may include:

• general blood and urine tests;
• blood biochemistry;
• determining the level of hormones;
• tests for the level of certain vitamins;
• analyzes for immunological parameters;
• tests to help detect various infections.

Chronic fatigue treatment

With the diagnosis of “chronic fatigue syndrome”, treatment can be non-drug and medication.

Non-drug therapy includes:

• improvement of nutrition;
• rejection of bad habits;
• lifestyle modification;
• physiotherapy;
• normalization of sleep;
• physiotherapy exercises;
• psychotherapy.

Drug treatment may include antiviral agents, vitamin complexes, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunotherapy may be carried out. Treatment is selected according to an individual plan after specific violations in the functioning of the body are determined. Unfortunately, traditional methods of therapy do not always give the desired effect. Therefore, there is a constant search for new ways to influence CFS.

An innovative treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome

Cell therapy is an innovative and promising treatment that uses stem cells to combat chronic fatigue. Most often, mesenchymal stem cells are taken from the adipose tissue of the patient for the treatment of CFS. Once in the body, these cells contribute to the restoration of the affected tissues of the body, reduce the level of inflammation and have a positive effect on the functioning of the immune system.

Treatment is selected individually for each patient. The doctor calculates the required therapeutic dose. Then the desired cells are taken. They are processed in the laboratory and multiplied. After that, the drug is administered intravenously in a specific dosage one or more times.

Stem cell treatment has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system, the hormonal level of the patient, and improves metabolic processes. As a result, overall health and well-being improves, more energy and strength appear.

The best clinics for chronic fatigue syndrome treatment

Do you want to get into the best clinics in the world and find the best way to get rid of chronic fatigue? Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you choose a clinic that treats CFS, uses the latest methods and demonstrates good results.

The best medical specialists

In the process of diagnosing and treating CFS, consultations of various specialists may be required: a neurologist, endocrinologist, cardiologist, immunologist, etc. Medical coordinators of MedTour will help you get to the best doctors specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of this syndrome. If you are interested in stem cell treatment, you can get an online consultation from Andrey Kovalchuk, Associate Professor, PhD, Specialist in Cell Therapy Applications.

Frequently asked questions

How to distinguish chronic fatigue syndrome from depression?

CFS and depression are similar in symptoms. In both cases, there is a decrease in performance, deterioration of sleep, problems with concentration. But there are also differences. When depressed, a person can actively do something, but does not want to. In CFS, on the contrary, a person has a desire to be active, but a strong feeling of fatigue makes it impossible to do this.

How long can chronic fatigue last?

CFS is said to be when constant fatigue “holds on” for more than 6 months, but this condition can last much longer. Accurate diagnosis and the right treatment will help get rid of CFS.

What is the benefit of stem cell therapy for CFS?

Cellular therapy has a complex positive effect on the state of the body in chronic fatigue. Regeneration processes are activated, the level of inflammation decreases, the work of the immune system normalizes, and the state of the nervous system improves. This leads to the fact that the patient begins to feel much better, he has strength and energy.

Published: 18.05.2023

Updated: 26.05.2023

Medical author, Medical editor:

Natalia Segen

Medical author, Medical editor:

Olena Kursabaieva

Information on this webpage verified by the medical expert

Medical Doctor, oncologist, PHD student

Kateryna Maliarchuk