What is chronic fatigue syndrome?<\/h2>\n
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, CFS<\/em>, also Myalgic Encephalomyelitis<\/em>) is multifactorial disease<\/strong>, which is characterized by:<\/p>\n constant, debilitating fatigue<\/strong>, that does not go away after sleep or rest;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n cognitive impairment<\/strong> (clouding of consciousness, impaired concentration, forgetfulness);<\/p>\n<\/li>\n deterioration of condition after minor physical or psycho-emotional stress (PEM - post-exertional malaise)<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n sleep disorders<\/strong>;<\/p>\n<\/li>\n headache, muscle pain, fever, sore throat, tender lymph nodes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Duration of symptoms \u2014 from 6 months and older<\/strong>, and they not explained by other diseases<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The SHV is diagnosis of exclusion<\/strong>, which is based on a complex of symptoms and carefully ruling out other causes of fatigue<\/strong> (anemia, depression, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases, chronic infections, tumors, metabolic disorders, etc.).<\/p>\n Official diagnostic criteria have been approved CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)<\/em> and NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence)<\/em>. The basis consists of:<\/p>\n Fatigue lasting \u22656 months that significantly reduces activity level.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Post-exertional malaise (PEM).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sleep disturbances.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Additional symptoms: cognitive disorders or blood pressure dysregulation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n The exact cause is unknown, but there are several interrelated hypotheses<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Viral or bacterial infection<\/strong> (Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, SARS-CoV-2)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Immune dysregulation<\/strong>: increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impaired T-cell activation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mitochondrial dysfunction<\/strong>: decrease in the energy potential of cells<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hormonal changes<\/strong> (especially the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Chronic stress<\/a> or trauma<\/strong> as a trigger<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n All of these components can run pathological cycle<\/strong>, in which the body does not return to a state of recovery.<\/p>\n Although there is no \u00abSCM test,\u00bb there is a list of studies that:<\/p>\n Helping rule out other diagnoses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Identify associated disorders<\/strong>, that can worsen the condition.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n These can be:<\/p>\n Complete blood count, ferritin<\/a>, B12, folic acid<\/p>\n<\/li>\n TSH<\/a>, T3, T4 (thyroid gland)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
How is the diagnosis made?<\/h2>\n
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What causes CVD?<\/h2>\n
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What tests can a doctor order?<\/h2>\n
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