Fatigue Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Fatigue states - causes and therapy

Conditions of exhaustion are already an extreme burden in everyday life. Even worse, however, is a chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis) or CFS, as the syndrome is often referred to as "chronic fatigue syndrome". Over months, it can lead to serious loss of concentration, memory and performance. In such a case, patients often mistakenly think that inactivity improves the condition. But that can be a treacherous fallacy.

contents

• Fatigue states - causes and therapy
• definition
• Malfunction of the immune system as the main cause
• Fatigue syndrome and mental stress
• Dietary habits can play a role
• environmental factors
• Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome
• Diagnosis and therapy
• Treatment with CFS
• behavior therapy
• Movement and occupational therapy
• Talk therapy

definition

Behind the chronic fatigue syndrome is a neurological disease whose mechanism of development is still not fully understood. Experts are still arguing over the exact forms and differentiation systems for CFS. However, it is unanimous at what point in time and under what criteria a fatigue syndrome actually exists. According to the Federal Association for Chronic Fatigue Disease (FGD) Fatigatio e.V., this is the case if there is a permanent reduction in performance of at least 60% over a period of at least 6 months.

The fatigue syndrome leads to significant performance losses in everyday life and sufferers are often no longer able to pursue their profession appropriately. (Image: Kaesler Media / fotolia.de)

In addition to fatigue and fatigue, sleep disorders and concentration disorders as well as, if necessary, pain complaints are considered to be characteristic guiding symptoms. Affected people are usually no longer able to work properly or to concentrate on something. Even ordinary day-to-day routines such as chores or running errands are a big challenge for people with fatigue syndrome. In Germany, around 300,000 people suffer from this syndrome, with women between the ages of 20 and 50 being the most affected.

Important: The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should not be confused with fatigue. Although this is also characterized by persistent fatigue, but is usually a concomitant of a previous disease and thus limited in time, or their causes are easily determined. In addition, CFS must also be differentiated from the burn-out syndrome.

Malfunction of the immune system as the main cause

As described, the exact origins are currently hardly clarified. It is clear, however, that it comes in the course of the disease to a body-wide dysregulation of the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. This results in chronic fatigue and fatigue that affects almost all areas of life. A relatively recent study indicates that CFS may be an autoimmune disease. This would mean that the body's own dysregulations come from a disturbed immune system.

Various factors are considered for malfunctioning, including viral infections, which are known to cause severe damage to the immune system and can cause numerous immune deficiencies. Three diseases that are particularly suspected in this regard to promote fatigue syndrome are:

• Pneumonia,
• Rubella (Rubella),
• Pfeiffer's glandular fever (mononucleosis)

Furthermore, present allergies can not be ruled out as a potential source of confusion for the immune system. Since allergy sufferers inherently have a particular sensitivity to irritant factors, it is quite conceivable that the acute stimulus by allergens so depletes the immune function that it comes to a CFS.

Fatigue syndrome and mental stress

It is no secret that stress promotes fatigue in everyday life. Stressful situations can also influence the development of a definite fatigue syndrome. Although CFS does not constitute a psychosomatic disorder in the true sense of the word, everyday stress, emotional stress, grief and worry consume so much of the power of the immune system and can trigger autoimmune reactions.

Dietary habits can play a role

For a trouble-free immune function, the right nutrition is essential. For example, the immune system needs a sufficient supply of proteins to make antibodies. And vitamins and minerals strengthen the immune system in the event of illness. If malnutrition therefore occurs, immunological disorders can not be ruled out. In addition, a regulated nutrient balance also decisively determines physical fitness. Performance loss and tiredness can thus be intensified by improper nutrition.

In addition to proteins, a sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals is important for a functioning immune system. (Image: gitusik / fotolia.de)

environmental factors

The immune system responds fairly quickly to an unhealthy living and working environment. A high level of pollutants in the air, such as car or industrial emissions, is repeatedly associated with symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness and sleep disorders. The same applies to a high noise pollution at the place of residence or workplace. In addition, toxins in work materials, in the household or in the building fabric of buildings are not to be underestimated as triggers of immunological disorders.

Symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome

The symptoms of a chronic fatigue syndrome are noticeable above all in the area of ​​the psyche or mental performance. But also physical sensibilities are not uncommon for CFS. Especially when it comes to nervous and heart problems, the disease can be very noticeable. Furthermore, the syndrome promotes increased sensitivity to irritant factors. Typical are, for example, a special sensitivity to light, noise and temperature, increased joint and lymph node sensitivities with increased risk of swelling of the armpit and cervical lymph nodes and a special pain sensitivity, which manifests itself mainly in cervical, muscle, headache and joint pain. Overall, the following complaints can be noted for CFS:

• Mental complaints such as Irritability, depressive moods or inner restlessness
• Cognitive disorders such as Memory, concentration, reading and perception disorders
• Sensitivity disorders such as Light, noise, pain and temperature sensitivity, joint and lymphatic sensitivity
• Condition and recovery problems such as Disorders of the day-night rhythm, lack of recovery, loss of performance, tiredness
• Organ disorders, e.g. Respiratory and bladder dysfunction, gastrointestinal problems, cardiac arrhythmia

Diagnosis and therapy

A detailed patient survey is particularly important at CFS. In order to be able to raise suspicion, the following questions must be answered in particular:

• How long has the patient been suffering from exhaustion??
• Which accompanying symptoms are associated with fatigue?
• If the symptoms already exist for more than 6 months?
• Improves the exhaustion after a good night's sleep or not?
• It may cause the symptoms of stress or an underlying condition?
  (important for differential diagnosis with regard to burn out and fatigue)
• To what extent does the state of exhaustion affect the daily routine of the patient??

As soon as the most important questions have been clarified within a medical history, various laboratory tests are available, depending on the suspicion of possible causes. These may include, for example, allergic, blood and urine tests, which may provide information on existing immune sensitivities, nutrition and signs of disease. Imaging techniques such as ultrasound or CT are used as needed.

Treatment with CFS

Appropriate therapies for chronic fatigue syndrome include less medical than behavioral steps and recovery. The latter, however, does not mean that you are assuming passivity because specifically targeted employment measures are enormously important for relieving fatigue. However, these should also bring a certain routine back into the everyday life of the patient.

behavior therapy

In the course of a behavioral training, it is especially important for CFS to restore cognitive performance. Since depression and the feeling of being exhausted in everyday life requirements play an important role in the disease-related symptoms, above all mental and mental stress management measures have to be carried out. Relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation or private relaxation rituals (such as music or aromatherapy) are very suitable for this.

Relaxation or yoga exercises can help counteract the stress. (Image: alotofpeople / fotolia.de)

It is urgent to refrain from continuing to cling to stressful everyday patterns at CFS. This may also mean retiring professionally, even if the company or boss would expect otherwise. Excessive pressure from the outside usually worsens the disease only further. Instead, try to find your own, the exhausted body soothing daily rhythm. In an emergency, this must also be discussed with employers, families and friends so that a solution for constructive time planning can be found together. Nonetheless, patients should value routine sleep hygiene. Regulated bed times, ideally accompanied by a calming, evening ritual, contribute a lot to the regeneration.

Tip: A cup of calming tea with relaxing herbs such as lavender, St. John's wort or valerian is highly recommended before going to bed.

Also avoiding are with regard to your own behavior harmful environmental influences. This means not only noise and stressful social contacts, but also pollutant effects such as exhaust gases, allergens and other pathogenic factors (such as infectious agents). Furthermore, a healthy diet is essential to re-strengthen the weakened immune system. In this regard, especially minerals such as iron, iodine, selenium and zinc as well as vitamins A, C and E are a must for a strong immune defense.

Movement and occupational therapy

In addition to relaxation, relaxing activities should not be missing when it comes to facing a state of exhaustion. Physiotherapy can be just as effective as a regular walk or moderate exercise, such as swimming or cycling. Even leisure activities such as gardening, interior design, reading, cooking rituals or cozy evenings with friends help the body to regain its balance.

It should be mentioned that the respective activities of each patient should be tested individually. Not everyone responds to the same actions, so sufferers should discover for themselves what helps them to overcome their fatigue. However, it is not advisable to additionally exhaustive extreme sports and hectic activities in everyday life.

Talk therapy

Psychological stress, trauma and emotional states of emergency are best discussed in CFS as part of a psychotherapeutic discussion. Doing it yourself or processing it is not always successful, especially if it is a very serious topic. As a result, we encourage you to seek professional help in this area. (Ma)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)