Chronic Fatigue Specialist

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complicated disorder characterized by extreme fatigue that can’t be explained by any underlying medical condition. The fatigue may worsen with physical or mental activity, but doesn’t improve with rest.

This condition is also known as systemic exertion intolerance disease (SEID) or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). Sometimes it’s abbreviated as ME/CFS.

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown, although there are many theories — ranging from viral infections to psychological stress. Some experts believe chronic fatigue syndrome might be triggered by a combination of factors.

There’s no single test to confirm a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome. You may need a variety of medical tests to rule out other health problems that have similar symptoms. Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on symptom relief.

Fatigue can be debilitating for patients, and it can be very difficult to determine the cause. Here at the Endocrine Center we are trained to fully evaluate for endocrine causes of fatigue.

This is includes testing for endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, pituitary disorders, uncontrolled diabetes and insulin resistance.
Other common causes of chronic fatigue include – anemia and iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, such as B and D deficiency, medications and supplements, celiac disease, sleep disorders, and other chronic illness.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms may include:

Fatigue
Loss of memory or concentration
Sore throat
Enlarged lymph nodes in your neck or armpits
Unexplained muscle or joint pain
Headaches
Unrefreshing sleep
Extreme exhaustion lasting more than 24 hours after physical or mental exercise

When to see a doctor

Fatigue can be a symptom of many illnesses, such as infections or psychological disorders. In general, see your doctor if you have persistent or excessive fatigue.

We have a Chronic Fatigue Specialist available to help you with your condition. Please set an appointment to see one of our professionals.

Causes

People who have chronic fatigue syndrome appear to be hypersensitive to even normal amounts of exercise and activity.

Why this occurs in some people and not others is still unknown. Some people may be born with a predisposition for the disorder, which is then triggered by a combination of factors. Potential triggers include:

Viral infections. Because some people develop chronic fatigue syndrome after having a viral infection, researchers question whether some viruses might trigger the disorder. Suspicious viruses include Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus 6 and mouse leukemia viruses. No conclusive link has yet been found.
Immune system problems. The immune systems of people who have chronic fatigue syndrome appear to be impaired slightly, but it’s unclear if this impairment is enough to actually cause the disorder
Hormonal imbalances. People who have chronic fatigue syndrome also sometimes experience abnormal blood levels of hormones produced in the hypothalamus, pituitary glands or adrenal glands. But the significance of these abnormalities is still unknown.

Other common causes of chronic fatigue include -anemia and iron deficiency, vitamin deficiencies, such as B and D deficiency, medications and supplements, celiac disease, sleep disorders, and other chronic illness.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of chronic fatigue syndrome include:

Age. Chronic fatigue syndrome can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects people in their 40s and 50s.
Sex. Women are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome much more often than men, but it may be that women are simply more likely to report their symptoms to a doctor.
Stress. Difficulty managing stress may contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.